Phoenix Trolley Museum facts for kids
Phoenix Trolley Museum
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| Established | 1975 |
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| Location | 1117 Grand Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona, United States |
| Type | Railway museum |
The Phoenix Trolley Museum is a special place in Phoenix, Arizona. It's also known as the Arizona Street Railway Museum. This museum started in 1975. Its main goal is to save and show old streetcars. These streetcars are also called trolleys. They help us learn about Phoenix's history. The museum wants to show how important trolleys were. They were a big part of how people traveled.
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About the Museum
The Phoenix Trolley Museum used to be in downtown Phoenix. It was located next to the Margaret Hance Deck Park. This was near Interstate 10. In December 2017, the museum had to move. The City of Phoenix did not renew its lease. So, the Hance Park location closed.
In 2018, the museum found a new home. It moved to Phoenix's historic Grand Avenue. This area was special because it was once a route for early trolley lines. The museum's leaders are volunteers. They are planning to fix up the old building. This building will hold exhibits and offices. They also plan to build a new place. This new building will store and fix the trolleys. The museum is currently raising money for these projects.
In 2019, the museum's volunteers worked hard. They started a "spruce up campaign." This project made the building look better. They improved both the outside and inside. They also updated many of the exhibits.
The museum had a successful fundraising effort in 2020. This allowed them to buy the Grand Avenue property. This is the same place they had been using since 2018.
The Amazing Discovery of Car 509
In December 2020, something exciting happened. A local businessman named Mike Bystrom contacted the museum. He asked if they were interested in a storage unit. It looked like the unit was built around an old streetcar.
The museum did some research. They found out that under the metal shell was a real streetcar! People thought this streetcar was lost. Most trolleys were destroyed in a big fire in 1947. Only six streetcars survived that fire. They were out on their routes that night. Mr. Bystrom was very kind. He donated the streetcar to the museum. He also paid to have it moved. Car 509 is now on display at the Grand Avenue site.
What You Can See at the Museum
The museum has several interesting items.
- Phoenix Street Railway Streetcar #116: This trolley has been restored. It is currently in storage.
- Phoenix Street Railway Car #504: This car was originally #108. It has not been restored yet. It is also in storage.
- Phoenix Street Railway Car #509: This is the newly discovered car. It was donated in December 2020. It is not restored but is on display.
- Electric Calcine Locomotive: This special train engine is on display. It was given to the museum by the Phelps-Dodge Corporation.
- Historical Displays: You can see many old photographs and maps. There are also other items that show the history of trolleys in Phoenix.
Museum Gallery
- Phoenix Trolley Museum
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Phelps-Dodge locomotive 17 sits on display at the former location of the Phoenix Trolley Museum.
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Phoenix Streetcar #116 as displayed during the grand opening of Valley Metro Rail on December 27, 2008.
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The 1928 Trolley Car #116 served the original Phoenix trolley system from 1928 to 1947.
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Inside the historic #116.
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Front inside view of the Trolley Car #116. Pictured is a restored farebox.
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Different view of Trolley Car #116.
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Museum exterior after the 2019 "spruce up campaign".
Learn More
- List of heritage railroads in the United States
- Phoenix Street Railway
