M-Line Trolley (McKinney Avenue Transit Authority) in Dallas, Texas

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Dallas, Texas · Updated October 19, 2026 · 12 min read

Trolley and streetcar museumTrain ridesFreeRuns 365 days a year; free, name-your-fare service

The M-Line Trolley is a heritage streetcar line run by the nonprofit McKinney Avenue Transit Authority, which was founded in 1983 to bring streetcars back to Dallas and has carried riders on restored historic cars since July 1989.

  • Restored historic streetcars
  • Free, name-your-fare rides
  • Runs 365 days a year
  • 4.6 miles of track
  • Nonprofit founded in 1983
  • First trolley ran July 1989

M-Line Trolley (McKinney Avenue Transit Authority) at a glance

Hours
Mon to Thu 7 am to 10 pm; Fri 7 am to midnight; Sat 10 am to midnight; Sun and holidays 10 am to 10 pm
Admission
Free; riders are asked to name their fare
Train rides
Vintage streetcar rides every 17 to 20 minutes, 365 days a year; full route about 1 hour
Seasonal events
Taste of the Trolley
Plan for
About 1 hour for the full route
Best for
Families, visitors exploring Uptown and Downtown, and streetcar fans
Best ages
All ages
Accessibility
Historic cars cannot board wheelchairs; DART buses and trains along the route are ADA compliant, and MATA asks riders with accessibility concerns to contact it before riding.

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

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to M-Line Trolley (McKinney Avenue Transit Authority)? 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 Dallas.

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.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

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

Bringing the streetcar back to Dallas

Dallas was once a streetcar city, home to about 300 streetcars and an interurban rail system before it traded transit for highways and cars. In 1983 a group of residents founded the McKinney Avenue Transit Authority with a simple goal: return streetcar service to Dallas. The first trolley rolled in July 1989, on what was then called the McKinney Avenue Trolley.

Instead of building modern replicas, MATA restored historic streetcars and put them back to work in everyday service. Today the M-Line runs 4.6 miles of track through Uptown and Downtown Dallas with seven cars in operation, carrying about 400,000 riders a year. Roughly a third of them use the trolley to get to work, which means these preserved cars are not museum pieces sitting behind ropes but part of how the city moves.

MATA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and its mission is to link the past to the present with safe, reliable and convenient transit. Volunteers are a big part of that work. They drive trolley cars, help with restoration and lend their own skills, while riders, donors and charter customers keep the fare boxes and the shop going. More than three decades in, the M-Line is both a working transit line and one of the city's most living pieces of rail history.

Riding the line from West Village to the Arts District

The M-Line runs from Uptown's West Village at its northern end, down McKinney Avenue past the State Thomas Historic Neighborhood, The Crescent and Rosewood Court, then into Downtown and the Arts District. Stops are marked with maroon M-LINE signs. Wave as the trolley approaches so the operator knows you want to ride, and inside, pull the overhead string or press the bell to ask for the next stop.

Trolleys usually arrive every 17 to 20 minutes, and riding the whole route takes about an hour depending on traffic. The line puts you within walking distance of Klyde Warren Park, the Perot Museum, the Dallas Museum of Art, the Nasher Sculpture Center, the Meyerson Symphony Center, the Dallas World Aquarium, the West End and the Sixth Floor Museum, so a ride can easily turn into a full day in the city.

Don’t miss

  1. The restored streetcarsThe M-Line runs real historic streetcars rather than modern replicas, with seven cars currently in operation.
  2. The stop-request bellEach car has a bell or overhead string that signals the Motorman or Motorwoman to stop, a favorite job for young riders.
  3. A full loop of the routeRiding all 4.6 miles takes about an hour, a relaxed way to see Uptown and Downtown Dallas from a vintage car.
  4. Klyde Warren Park stopHop off at St Paul and Woodall Rodgers or KWP/Arts District for the park, then catch the next trolley back.
  5. Taste of the TrolleyMATA's signature fundraising event, held in October in 2026.

Ringing the bell and waving down a trolley

Kids love the small rituals of riding: waving the trolley down at a maroon M-LINE sign, then reaching up for the bell or string to ask for a stop. Because rides are name-your-fare, a family can hop on for one stop or ride the full hour-long route without worrying about tickets, and the line drops you near Klyde Warren Park and the Perot Museum for the rest of the day.

Bring a small stroller rather than a large one: MATA allows smaller strollers when there is room, but large strollers may not fit in some cars. Leashed or carried pets that behave are welcome, and electric scooters are not allowed.

Plan your visit: tips for M-Line Trolley (McKinney Avenue Transit Authority)

  • Download MATA's rider app for real-time arrivals; third-party map times do not reflect live conditions.
  • Wave at the trolley as it approaches; operators may pass riders who are looking at a phone.
  • If the tracks are in the middle of the street, wait on the curb and the operator will stop traffic for you.
  • Bring a small stroller; large ones may not fit in some cars.
  • From DART, use the West Entrance at CityPlace/Uptown Station for direct trolley access.

A nonprofit powered by riders and volunteers

The McKinney Avenue Transit Authority is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that keeps the M-Line running free to ride. Riders support it by dropping cash or coins in the fare box, giving online or setting up a recurring donation, chartering a trolley for a party or business event, or shopping the trolley store. Volunteers can even train to drive a trolley or help restore cars.

More streetcar and rail history near Dallas

The Interurban Railway Museum in Plano, about 16 miles away, tells the story of the electric cars that once linked North Texas towns. The Grapevine Vintage Railroad is about 19 miles off, and the Museum of the American Railroad in Frisco is about 24 miles. Find more on our list of train museums across Texas.

Every train museum in Texas

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of a dad lifting Rally the corgi up the big stairs of a red train car
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

Climbing aboard a historic streetcar is a big step for small legs, and that is exactly Rally's problem in our book. His corgi legs are too short for the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. I can picture plenty of little ones on the M-Line getting the same lift, then racing to pull the bell cord. My mom would have loved that bell. You can read why on our story page.

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 M-Line Trolley (McKinney Avenue Transit Authority)?

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.

M-Line Trolley in Dallas: 20 questions riders ask

Is the M-Line Trolley in Dallas free?

Yes. The M-Line offers free service by asking riders to name their own fare. You can drop cash or coins in the trolley's fare box, give by card, Venmo or PayPal, or set up a recurring donation. Donations to the nonprofit McKinney Avenue Transit Authority are tax deductible.

What are the M-Line Trolley hours?

As of October 2026, the M-Line runs Monday through Thursday from 7 am to 10 pm, Friday from 7 am to midnight, Saturday from 10 am to midnight, and Sunday and holidays from 10 am to 10 pm. It operates 365 days a year, usually with three cars running.

How often does the M-Line Trolley come?

Trolleys typically arrive at stops every 17 to 20 minutes. They may wait a few minutes at the Uptown station to let riders transfer from the underground DART station. Use MATA's rider app for real-time arrivals, since times on Google Maps, Apple Maps and DART's planner do not reflect live conditions.

How long does it take to ride the whole M-Line Trolley route?

Riding the entire M-Line route takes about an hour, depending on traffic and weather. The line covers 4.6 miles of track between Uptown's West Village and Downtown Dallas, so a full ride is a relaxed way to see both neighborhoods from a historic streetcar.

Where does the M-Line Trolley run?

The M-Line runs through Uptown and Downtown Dallas, from West Village at its northern end down McKinney Avenue to the Arts District and Downtown. Stops serve the State Thomas Historic Neighborhood, The Crescent, Rosewood Court, Klyde Warren Park, the Dallas Museum of Art and the Meyerson Symphony Center.

How do you ride the M-Line Trolley?

Stand at a stop marked with a maroon M-LINE sign, then wave as the trolley approaches so the driver knows you want to ride. Trolleys may pass riders who are looking at their phones. If the tracks are in the middle of the street, wait on the curb and the operator will stop traffic for you.

How do I request a stop on the M-Line Trolley?

Each car has a bell or an overhead string, usually above the seats, that rings a bell to tell the Motorman or Motorwoman to stop. Make sure you hear the bell, and the trolley will let you off at the next designated M-LINE stop. Kids usually love this part.

Who runs the M-Line Trolley?

The McKinney Avenue Transit Authority, known as MATA, owns and operates the M-Line. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1983 to return streetcar service to Dallas. Its mission is to link the past to the present with safe, reliable and convenient public transportation in Uptown and Downtown.

When did the McKinney Avenue Trolley start?

The McKinney Avenue Transit Authority was founded in 1983, and its first trolley ran in July 1989. The line was previously called the McKinney Avenue Trolley before becoming the M-Line Trolley, and it has carried millions of Dallas residents, workers and visitors since then.

Are the M-Line streetcars real historic trolleys?

Yes. The M-Line uses restored historic streetcar vehicles rather than modern replicas. MATA actively preserves vintage streetcars and puts them into everyday service, with seven cars currently in operation. Volunteers help with restoration work on the cars.

Is the M-Line Trolley wheelchair accessible?

No. Because of the age and varying design of the historic cars, M-Line trolleys cannot board wheelchairs. DART buses and trains are ADA compliant, DART Routes 209 and 207 overlap parts of the M-Line, and DART Paratransit serves the area. MATA invites riders with accessibility concerns to contact it first.

Can I bring a stroller on the M-Line Trolley?

Smaller strollers are allowed as long as there is room and a clear path to the exits. Large strollers are discouraged because they may not fit in some of the historic cars. Bikes are allowed under the same conditions, but electric scooters are not permitted on trolleys.

Are dogs allowed on the M-Line Trolley?

Yes. Service animals and well-behaved pets may ride if they are leashed or stay in their carriers, and pets may not take a seat from another rider. If a pet disturbs the comfort or safety of other passengers, the operator may ask you to get off at the next stop.

Is the M-Line Trolley good for kids?

Yes. Kids can wave down the trolley, ride in a restored historic streetcar and pull the bell cord for their stop. Rides are free with a name-your-fare donation, and stops near Klyde Warren Park, the Perot Museum and the Dallas World Aquarium make it easy to build a family day around it.

How do I get to the M-Line Trolley by DART?

M-Line stops are within walking distance of DART's Red, Blue, Green and Orange light rail lines. CityPlace/Uptown Station gives direct trolley access through its West Entrance: from the platform, follow the signs for the M-Line Trolley. St. Paul Station is another nearby connection Downtown.

Can I rent the M-Line Trolley for a party?

Yes. MATA offers trolley charters, so you can reserve a car for a special personal or business event such as a birthday, wedding or company outing. Charter details and booking are on mata.org, or call (214) 855-0006 to ask about dates and pricing.

What is Taste of the Trolley?

Taste of the Trolley is MATA's signature event. In 2026 it returned on October 15, according to the McKinney Avenue Transit Authority's news page. Check mata.org for details on future dates and tickets, since the event helps support the nonprofit trolley service.

Can I volunteer with the M-Line Trolley?

Yes. MATA invites volunteers to drive a trolley car, help restore historic streetcars or offer their own skills and services. Volunteering is one of the main ways the nonprofit keeps its free service running. Find volunteer details on mata.org or call (214) 855-0006.

How do I contact the McKinney Avenue Transit Authority?

Call (214) 855-0006 or use the contact form on mata.org. MATA's office address is 3153 Oak Grove Ave, Dallas, Texas 75204. If you send a form and do not hear back within 48 hours, call the office and check your spam folder for replies.

What train museums are near the M-Line Trolley?

The Interurban Railway Museum in Plano is about 16 miles away and covers the electric railways that once linked North Texas. The Grapevine Vintage Railroad and the Grapevine Cotton Belt Railroad Historic District are about 19 miles away, and the Museum of the American Railroad in Frisco is about 24 miles.

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