Connecticut Trolley Museum in East Windsor, Connecticut

Written By Kelsey Cecil

East Windsor, Connecticut · Updated October 19, 2026 · 13 min read

Trolley and streetcar museumTrain ridesRegular season weekends April to September, plus Thursday to Sunday in July and August; special events into December

Founded in October 1940, the Connecticut Trolley Museum in East Windsor is the oldest incorporated museum in the United States dedicated to electric railroading, and it still runs restored streetcars over a rebuilt piece of the trolley line that once linked Warehouse Point and Rockville.

  • Founded in October 1940
  • 3-mile round-trip trolley ride
  • More than 70 rail vehicles
  • Fire truck museum on site
  • Restored 1913 Hartford Isle of Safety
  • Pumpkin Patch and Winterfest events

Connecticut Trolley Museum at a glance

Hours
2026 season: 9:30 am to 4 pm; weekends April to June and September, Thursday to Sunday in July and August
Admission
Adults $14, seniors (62+) $12, youth (12 to 17) $12, children (2 to 11) $10, under 2 free
Train rides
Trolley ride included with admission; first ride 10 am, last ride 3 pm
Seasonal events
Easter EGGspress, Pumpkin Patch Trolley, Winterfest and the Tunnel of Lights
Plan for
About 90 minutes to 2 hours
Best for
Families with young kids and streetcar fans
Best ages
Toddlers to age 12
Accessibility
Rides use historic equipment; the museum posts accessibility advisements for riders.

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Connecticut Trolley Museum? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to East Windsor.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

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Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

A trolley line rebuilt by the people who would not let it vanish

Between 1905 and 1926, trolleys on the Rockville Branch of the Hartford & Springfield Street Railway carried commuters, school children and freight between Warehouse Point and Rockville. The H&S served a string of towns along the Connecticut River from 1902 to 1926, and when the cars stopped running, the line could easily have disappeared into the farm fields of East Windsor.

It did not. In October 1940 a group of trolley enthusiasts organized what became the Connecticut Electric Railway Association, and the museum they started is recognized as the oldest incorporated museum in the country devoted to electric railroading. Some longtime visitors still call it the Warehouse Point Trolley Museum. Over the decades, members rebuilt a section of the original Rockville Branch right of way so that vintage cars could run on it again.

The collection grew to more than 70 pieces of rail equipment, the oldest dating to 1869. Many are Connecticut cars from New Haven, Waterbury, Bristol, Norwich and Torrington, joined by streetcars and rapid transit cars from Brooklyn, Boston, New Orleans, Cleveland, Montreal and even Rio de Janeiro. In 2019 the museum professionally restored Hartford's Isle of Safety, a trolley waiting shelter that stood downtown from 1913 to 1985.

Restoration never stops here. The car shop is currently raising money to finish Connecticut Company 3001, a Torrington trolley, and get it running again, and the museum shares that work through its Car Shop Blog and the CERA newsletter.

From the Isle of Safety to the display hall

The center of any visit is the trolley ride. You board at the restored Isle of Safety and ride a vintage car for a 20 to 30 minute, roughly 3-mile round trip through the countryside, with an operator in period uniform at the controls. Rides start at 10 am, and the last one leaves at 3 pm on regular days.

Back at the Teresalee Bertinuson Visitor Center, the display hall holds trolley cars and other electric vehicles on static display, including an 1894 steeplecab electric freight locomotive and a railway executive car. Some cars are open to climb aboard, while others have platforms so you can look inside. A large map traces the Hartford and Springfield Street Railway town by town, and display cases hold an 1897 ticket booth, an 1883 three-wheeled hand car, signals, lanterns, fare boxes and model train layouts.

Admission also covers the fire truck museum run by the Connecticut Antique Fire Apparatus Association, with 15 fire trucks dating back to 1923, and the visitor center has a theater, a gift shop and picnic-friendly grounds.

Don’t miss

  1. The Isle of SafetyThis sheltered trolley stop served Hartford riders from 1913 to 1985. Restored in 2019, it is now where you wait for your ride, more than 110 years after it was built.
  2. The 1894 steeplecab locomotiveAn early electric freight locomotive on display in the visitor center, a reminder that trolley lines hauled freight as well as passengers.
  3. Connecticut Company 1326Built in 1910 for service in Waterbury, it now doubles as the museum's Birthday Party Trolley.
  4. New Orleans Public Service 836A 1922 Perley A. Thomas car from New Orleans, one of the collection highlights from far outside New England.
  5. Montreal Tramways 4One of several Montreal cars in the collection, built by the tramway itself in 1924 and listed among the museum's highlights.
  6. The Hartford and Springfield mapA big wall map with photos of every town the H&S served from 1902 to 1926, where local visitors often spot their own main street.

Crafts, Legos, a caboose and a real trolley ride

The visitor center was built with young riders in mind. There are craft tables, Legos, photo cutouts and a play trolley, plus the Imagination Station, where kids can dress up as a trolley operator or a firefighter. A full-size caboose is open to explore, and some of the trolleys on display let kids climb aboard.

The trolley ride itself is a manageable 20 to 30 minutes, which suits short attention spans. Restrooms, baby changing stations, vending machines and a bottle filler are right off the lobby, and the gift shop sells ice cream. Because the ride uses historic equipment on an active railway, families with accessibility concerns should read the museum's posted advisements before visiting.

Plan your visit: tips for Connecticut Trolley Museum

  • The museum is open rain or shine, but trolley rides may pause during thunderstorms.
  • Admission prices change during special events; buy event tickets through the events page.
  • Members get free general admission, and members of other trolley museums get half off outside special events.
  • Groups of 20 or more should book at least two weeks ahead for a discounted rate.
  • Pack a lunch: the grounds have picnic tables.

The trolley museum's calendar is built around three big family events. Easter EGGspress opens the season in late March and early April. From late September through October, the Pumpkin Patch Trolley carries families out to a pumpkin field where each child picks a sugar pumpkin to bring back and decorate, with a corn box and harvest play area waiting at the museum. Late November through December brings Winterfest and the Tunnel of Lights, with holiday model train displays and visits from Santa. For more seasonal rides, see our guides to Halloween and fall train rides in Connecticut and Christmas train rides in Connecticut.

The Connecticut Electric Railway Association

The museum is run by the Connecticut Electric Railway Association, a nonprofit supported by members, volunteers and a long list of local businesses and foundations. Visitors can help by becoming members, volunteering in the car shop or on event days, donating to restoration projects such as car 3001, or booking a birthday party or facility rental.

More rail history within an hour of East Windsor

The New England Civil War Museum sits about 9 miles away in Rockville, the old end of the trolley line. The Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum is about 24 miles east, and the Railroad Museum of New England is about 30 miles west. Browse every train museum in Connecticut to plan a longer trip.

Every train museum in Connecticut

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of a conductor in a blue suit shaking Rally's paw on the train
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

The trolley operators here wear period uniforms, and I love that small kids get to meet someone who looks like he stepped out of an old photograph. In our book, Mr. Conductor in his blue uniform holds out a hand to welcome Rally aboard, a small kindness that came from the story my mom imagined. If your little one wants to color a conductor of their own, our coloring pages are free to print.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.

Get the free coloring pages
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

More for train families

Work or volunteer at Connecticut Trolley Museum?

We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

Connecticut Trolley Museum: 20 questions families ask

Where is the Connecticut Trolley Museum?

The Connecticut Trolley Museum is at 58 North Road in East Windsor, Connecticut 06088, near the Warehouse Point section of town. The mailing address is PO Box 360, East Windsor, CT 06088, so use the North Road street address in your GPS. The museum posts driving directions on its website, and the office phone is (860) 627-6540.

What are the Connecticut Trolley Museum hours?

As of October 2026, the museum is open 9:30 am to 4 pm on its regular days, with the first trolley ride at 10 am and the last at 3 pm. It is open weekends April through June and in September, and Thursday through Sunday in July and August. Special events run on their own schedules, so check the calendar.

How much are Connecticut Trolley Museum tickets?

As of October 2026, general admission is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors 62 and up, $12 for youth ages 12 to 17, $10 for children ages 2 to 11, and free for children under 2. Tickets can be bought online or at the museum. Prices are different during special events, which are ticketed through the events page.

Does admission include a trolley ride?

Yes. General admission to the Connecticut Trolley Museum includes a ride on a restored vintage trolley, a 20 to 30 minute round trip of about 3 miles through the countryside. You board at the historic Isle of Safety, and an operator in period uniform runs the car. Rides go rain or shine, though they may pause in thunderstorms.

What is the Connecticut Trolley Museum Pumpkin Patch?

Pumpkin Patch Trolley is the museum's fall event, running from late September through October. Families ride a trolley out to a pumpkin field, and each child picks a sugar-sized pumpkin that is included with admission. Back at the museum there is pumpkin decorating, a corn box, a harvest play area and the regular displays to explore.

Is the Connecticut Trolley Museum Pumpkin Patch on weekends only?

The museum's group information describes Pumpkin Patch Trolley running Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during the fall season, and event days and ticket times are posted on its upcoming events page. Because event pricing and dates change each year, check the online calendar or call (860) 627-6540 before planning your weekend.

What is Winterfest at the Connecticut Trolley Museum?

Winterfest and the Tunnel of Lights is the museum's holiday event, running from late November into December. Families ride the trolleys through holiday lights, see holiday model train displays, and can visit with Santa. Tickets are sold through the events page, and groups of 20 or more can book weekday visits during Winterfest by contacting the office.

Does the Connecticut Trolley Museum do anything for Christmas?

Yes. Winterfest and the Tunnel of Lights is the museum's Christmas season event, from late November through December, with trolley rides through lights, holiday model trains and Santa. The museum also hosts Winterfest birthday parties and holiday parties in the visitor center. Check the events calendar for this year's dates and ticket times.

What upcoming events does the Connecticut Trolley Museum have?

The museum's main yearly events are Easter EGGspress in late March and early April, Pumpkin Patch Trolley from late September through October, and Winterfest and the Tunnel of Lights from late November through December. Admission prices are adjusted for events, and tickets are sold through the upcoming events list on the website, along with any smaller special events.

Is the Connecticut Trolley Museum good for toddlers?

Yes, it is one of the friendlier rail museums for little ones. The visitor center has craft tables, Legos, photo cutouts, a play trolley and dress-up costumes, plus a full-size caboose to explore. The ride is only 20 to 30 minutes, and baby changing stations, restrooms and a water bottle filler are right off the lobby.

How long should you spend at the Connecticut Trolley Museum?

Plan on about 90 minutes to 2 hours. That covers the trolley ride, time in the display hall and kids' area, and a walk through the fire truck museum, which is included with admission. Families who bring a picnic lunch to the picnic tables often stay longer, especially on event days.

What is in the Connecticut Trolley Museum collection?

The collection has more than 70 pieces of rail equipment dating back to 1869, including passenger and freight trolleys, interurban cars, elevated railway cars, service cars and locomotives. Many come from Connecticut cities, and others come from Brooklyn, Boston, New Orleans, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Montreal and Rio de Janeiro. Highlights include Montreal Tramways 4 and New Orleans 836.

When was the Connecticut Trolley Museum founded?

The museum was founded in October 1940 and is the oldest incorporated museum dedicated to electric railroading in the United States. It is run by the Connecticut Electric Railway Association, and it is sometimes called the Warehouse Point Trolley Museum. Its rides use a rebuilt section of the Hartford & Springfield Street Railway's Rockville Branch.

Is there a fire truck museum at the Connecticut Trolley Museum?

Yes. The Connecticut Antique Fire Apparatus Association shows its fire truck collection on the trolley museum grounds, with 15 fire trucks dating back to 1923 along with historic firefighting equipment. Admission to the fire truck museum is included with your trolley museum ticket, so save time for it at the end of your visit.

Can you have a birthday party at the Connecticut Trolley Museum?

Yes. As of October 2026, the Junior Operator party is $350 and includes the theater hall, a trolley ride and time in the displays. The Conductor party is $425 and gives your group two hours on trolley 1326, the Birthday Party Trolley. Easter, Pumpkin Patch and Winterfest parties are $400, and a party coordinator helps throughout.

Does the Connecticut Trolley Museum offer group rates?

Yes, for groups of 20 or more. As of October 2026, group rates are $13 for adults, $11 for seniors and youth, $9 for children 2 to 11, and free under 2, and bus drivers get in free. Book at least two weeks ahead by calling (860) 627-6540. Most groups spend 90 minutes to 2 hours.

What is the Guest Motorman Experience?

The Guest Motorman Experience is a program listed on the museum's visit pages for people who want to learn about operating a trolley rather than just ride one. The museum posts details, pricing and booking on its website, so check there or call (860) 627-6540 to ask about age requirements and available dates.

Is the Connecticut Trolley Museum accessible?

The visitor center has restrooms, baby changing stations and a lobby on site, but the trolley ride uses historic equipment on an active railway. The museum asks visitors with accessibility concerns to review its posted advisements before visiting. Call (860) 627-6540 to talk through mobility needs ahead of time.

Do members of other museums get a discount?

Often, yes. The Connecticut Trolley Museum takes part in Time Travelers, a reciprocal program of more than 400 historical organizations, and in Trolley Wayfinder, which gives members of other trolley museums from Maine to Maryland half off general admission. Bring ID and your member card, and note that discounts may not apply during special events.

What other train museums are near the Connecticut Trolley Museum?

The New England Civil War Museum in Rockville is about 9 miles away, the Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum in Willimantic about 24 miles, and the Railroad Museum of New England and Naugatuck Railroad in Thomaston about 30 miles. Across the Massachusetts line, the Chester Railway Station and Museum is about 31 miles away.

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