Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Kennebunkport, Maine · Updated October 19, 2026 · 13 min read

Trolley and streetcar museumTrain ridesTrolley rides Wednesday to Sunday through October 25; model railroad open year round; holiday weekends in December

Seashore Trolley Museum is the first and largest electric railway museum in the world, started in 1939 by young enthusiasts who saved a single Biddeford & Saco open trolley and grew into a collection of transit vehicles from cities across the country and around the globe.

  • Founded in 1939
  • First electric railway museum anywhere
  • Rides on early 1900s trolleys
  • 350-acre campus, three carhouses
  • Year-round model railroad building
  • Dogs welcome on trolleys

Seashore Trolley Museum at a glance

Hours
Wednesday to Sunday, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, through October 25, 2026 (last tickets 3:45 pm); model railroad Thursday to Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm in November
Admission
Trolleyween weekend $15, ages 0 to 2 free, members half price; check the website for regular prices
Train rides
Heritage trolley rides on the rebuilt Atlantic Shore Line, departing on a set schedule from 9:45 am; season reopens May 1, 2027
Seasonal events
Happy Trolleyween at Seashore, Christmas Prelude, Santa's Magical Trolley Ride, Pumpkin Patch Trolley, Daniel Tiger Visits Seashore
Plan for
About 2 to 3 hours
Best for
Families with young kids, transit fans and dog owners
Best ages
All ages; toddlers to age 12 especially
Parking
On site at 195 Log Cabin Road; check the website for event parking
Accessibility
See the Accessibility at Seashore page on the museum's website

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

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Seashore 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 Kennebunkport.

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.

From a $150 open car to a world collection

In 1939 a group of rail fans heard that the Biddeford & Saco Railroad was replacing its trolleys with motor buses, and they asked whether they could buy one to save. The railroad agreed to sell car #31, a 12-bench open trolley, for $150. Local rules meant it had to leave town, so the group rented a piece of farmland on Log Cabin Road in Kennebunkport, beside the old Atlantic Shore Line right of way, and moved it there.

Another group had bought a car from the Manchester and Nashua Street Railway, and the two joined forces. In 1941 they incorporated as the New England Electric Railway Historical Society, the nonprofit that still owns and runs the museum. Founders including Theodore Santarelli and historian O. R. Cummings guided it for decades. World War II paused the work, but as cities scrapped streetcar lines after the war, the collection grew fast.

By the summer of 1956 the Seashore Electric Railway was carrying passengers on weekends over a quarter mile of track. In 1980 ten trolley and railroad cars with Maine roots, including #31, were listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Maine Trolley Cars. Volunteers have since rebuilt about a mile and a half of the Atlantic Shore Line from scratch, and the museum owns the right of way toward Biddeford.

Most positions at Seashore are still filled by volunteers, from railway operations and the library to docent training and the Railroad Merit Badge program. The society also runs a year-round satellite, the National Streetcar Museum in Lowell, Massachusetts.

Carhouses, a restoration gallery and a ride to Talbott Park

Start at the Visitors Center, with its ticket booth and museum store, then board a restored trolley from the early 1900s for a ride over the rebuilt Atlantic Shore Line to the Talbott Park loop and back. Around the 350-acre campus, three carhouses hold restored trolleys and other transit artifacts, while additional barns hold cars awaiting their turn.

The collection spans omnibuses, electric streetcars, interurbans, rapid transit cars, light rail vehicles, trolley buses and motor buses, from almost every major American city that had streetcars and from countries including Canada, Australia, Japan, Germany, Hungary, England, Scotland and Italy. From the elevated observation gallery in the Restoration Shop you can watch six or seven cars at a time being repaired or rebuilt. The newer Maine Central Model Railroad Building holds an HO scale layout that is the largest model railroad in Maine, and there are picnic areas for lunch.

Don’t miss

  1. Biddeford & Saco #31The 12-bench open trolley bought for $150 in 1939 that started the whole museum, now on the National Register, and its replacement bus is in the collection too.
  2. The Restoration Shop galleryAn elevated walkway lets you look down on cars in the middle of maintenance or full restoration.
  3. Maine Central Model Railroad BuildingThe largest model railroad layout in Maine, in HO scale, donated by a Jonesport couple and open year round since early 2025.
  4. The Maine Trolley CarsTen cars built or run in Maine, including two Aroostook Valley Railroad cars and two built by York Utilities of Sanford, listed together on the National Register in 1980.
  5. The trolley bus fleetAbout twenty of the museum's trolley buses from around the country and the world are in operating condition.

Trolley rides, model trains and Daniel Tiger days

Kids get a real trolley ride, barns full of colorful cars to walk through, and a big model railroad that is open even in the off season. Family events through the season have included Daniel Tiger Visits Seashore, the Pumpkin Patch Trolley, free children's story time and Santa's Magical Trolley Ride, which starts with story time before the ride. Visitors often describe it as a hands-on stop for families.

The museum is outdoors on a large campus, and trolleys run rain or shine, so bring layers. Most special events are for all ages, but a few evening parties are for adults 21 and over, so read event details before booking. Dogs are welcome on the grounds and on the trolleys.

Plan your visit: tips for Seashore Trolley Museum

  • Trolleys run rain or shine; dress for the weather.
  • Last tickets are sold at 3:45 pm on regular days.
  • Trolleys leave promptly at scheduled times, so arrive early.
  • Arriving by Amtrak? The Downeaster stops in Saco, about 8 miles away; you will need a taxi.
  • Members get discounts on events such as Trolleyween.

The regular season closes with Happy Trolleyween at Seashore over the last weekend of October. In late November, Santa's Magical Trolley Ride begins with a story time before families board, and the campus reopens on the first two weekends of December for Christmas Prelude in Kennebunkport. Fall seasons have also featured a Pumpkin Patch Trolley. For more seasonal outings, see our guides to Christmas train rides in Maine and Halloween train rides in Maine.

A historical society that still runs on volunteers

Seashore Trolley Museum is the operating name of the New England Electric Railway Historical Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. A small staff works alongside volunteers who fill most positions, including operations training, the library and historian roles. You can help by becoming a member, volunteering, booking the Be a Motorman program, donating to restoration, or shopping the Museum Store.

Rail stops near Kennebunkport

The Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad in Portland is about 21 miles north and adds a two-foot gauge ride along Casco Bay. The Bridgton & Saco River Railroad Museum is about 46 miles away, and the Conway Scenic Railroad in New Hampshire is about 55 miles. Plan more stops with our list of train museums in Maine.

Every train museum in Maine

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of Rally the corgi dreaming about his toy turtle, green bone and yellow ball
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

Seashore lets dogs ride the trolleys, which made me laugh, because Rally would be first in line. In our book he packs for his trip with Mom and Dad: his turtle toy, his green bone and his yellow ball, all squeezed into a little suitcase. I like imagining a whole row of dogs on a trolley bench, each with a favorite toy. Kids can draw their own packed bags on our free coloring pages.

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 Seashore 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.

Seashore Trolley Museum: 20 questions visitors ask

Where is the Seashore Trolley Museum?

The Seashore Trolley Museum is at 195 Log Cabin Road in Kennebunkport, Maine, just off U.S. Route 1 between Kennebunk and Biddeford. It is about 30 minutes south of Portland and 90 minutes north of Boston. From Route 1, turn at the traffic light in Arundel onto Log Cabin Road and drive 1.7 miles.

What are the Seashore Trolley Museum hours?

As of October 2026, the museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, through October 25, and the last tickets are sold at 3:45 pm. It opens again on the first two weekends of December. The model railroad building is open Thursday to Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm, in November.

What is the Seashore Trolley Museum schedule for trolley rides?

Trolleys depart promptly on a set schedule through the day, starting at 9:45 am and continuing at regular intervals such as 10:30, 11:15 and 12:00. Rides run rain or shine. The museum says the 2027 season opens Saturday, May 1, 2027. Check the Hours and Admission page for the full departure list.

How much are Seashore Trolley Museum tickets?

As of October 2026, admission for the Happy Trolleyween weekend that ends the season is $15 per person, with infants up to age 2 free. Regular season prices are posted on the Hours and Admission page at trolleymuseum.org. Call 207-967-2800 if you have questions before you buy.

Are there Seashore Trolley Museum ticket discounts?

Yes, for members. Members received 50 percent off admission for the Trolleyween weekend, and membership is the main way to save on repeat visits and events. Groups, school field trips and tour operators also have their own arrangements through the finance office. Ask about current discounts at 207-967-2800.

What is in the Seashore Trolley Museum collection?

The collection holds more than 350 transit vehicles: streetcars, interurbans, rapid transit cars, light rail vehicles, trolley buses, motor buses and even an omnibus. Cars come from almost every major U.S. city that had streetcars and from countries such as Canada, Japan, Germany, Italy and Australia. You can browse it by city online.

When was the Seashore Trolley Museum founded?

The museum began in 1939, when rail fans bought Biddeford & Saco open trolley #31 for $150 and moved it to rented farmland on Log Cabin Road. The group incorporated in 1941 as the New England Electric Railway Historical Society. Passenger rides on museum track began on weekends in the summer of 1956.

Does the Seashore Trolley Museum have a Christmas event?

Yes. Santa's Magical Trolley Ride, held in late November in 2026, begins with story time before families board a trolley. The museum also reopens on the first two weekends of December for Kennebunkport's Christmas Prelude season. Check the events calendar at trolleymuseum.org for dates and tickets.

Does the Seashore Trolley Museum do a pumpkin patch trolley?

The museum has run a Pumpkin Patch Trolley among its fall themed events, and in 2026 the season closes with Happy Trolleyween at Seashore from October 23 to 25. Fall events change from year to year, so check the calendar for the current lineup before planning around a specific event.

Has Daniel Tiger visited the Seashore Trolley Museum?

Yes. Daniel Tiger Visits Seashore has been one of the museum's themed family events during the operating season, which also includes free children's story time. The event is not held every week, so check the museum's events calendar or Facebook page for whether and when it is scheduled this year.

Does the Seashore Trolley Museum offer rail bike rides?

The museum does not list rail bikes among its rides online. Its rides are on restored trolleys over its heritage line, along with special events like the Be a Motorman program. If you saw rail biking advertised nearby, call 207-967-2800 to ask whether it is connected to Seashore.

What are the upcoming events at the Seashore Trolley Museum?

As of October 2026, upcoming events include Happy Trolleyween from October 23 to 25, model railroad open days on Thursdays to Saturdays in November, Santa's Magical Trolley Ride on November 28, and holiday weekends in December. The full list is on the events calendar at trolleymuseum.org.

Where do you park at the Seashore Trolley Museum?

The museum sits on a 350-acre campus at 195 Log Cabin Road, and visitors drive right to the Visitors Center. The museum does not post detailed parking rules online, so for big events call 207-967-2800. Without a car, take the Amtrak Downeaster to Saco, about 8 miles away, and a taxi from there.

Can I bring my dog to the Seashore Trolley Museum?

Yes. The museum says it is dog-friendly because dogs are part of the family, and dogs are welcome on the trolleys too. It publishes a dog policy on its website, so read it before you go. Keep in mind that the campus is large and mostly outdoors.

What do reviews say about the Seashore Trolley Museum?

Visitors often call it a fun, unique and hands-on stop, especially for families with kids. Reviewers highlight riding a vintage trolley and walking through the carhouses to see the historic cars, and many mention the gift store. You can read more reviews on Tripadvisor and on the museum's Facebook page.

Where can I see Seashore Trolley Museum photos?

The museum posts photos of its trolleys, restorations and events on its Facebook page, which is listed under neerhs, and on Instagram. Its website includes photos by volunteers, a collection browser by city, and live feed cameras. Visitors also share many photos on Tripadvisor.

Is there a model railroad at the Seashore Trolley Museum?

Yes. The Maine Central Model Railroad Building opened in May 2024 and became a year-round exhibit in early 2025. Its HO scale layout, based on the Maine Central Railroad and donated by a couple from Jonesport, is the largest model railroad layout in Maine. It keeps its own hours in the off season.

Can you watch trolleys being restored at Seashore?

Yes. The Restoration Shop has an elevated observation gallery where visitors can watch cars being maintained or fully restored, with six or seven cars usually in progress at once. Questions about restoration work can go to restoration@trolleymuseum.org.

How can I volunteer at the Seashore Trolley Museum?

Most positions at the museum are filled by volunteers, including operations, the library, docents and the Railroad Merit Badge program. Contact the volunteer coordinator at volunteer@trolleymuseum.org, and look for the Volunteer Handbook on the website. Membership, donations and Museum Store purchases also support the work.

What other train museums are near the Seashore Trolley Museum?

The Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad in Portland is about 21 miles away, the Bridgton & Saco River Railroad Museum about 46 miles, and the Conway Scenic Railroad in North Conway, New Hampshire about 55 miles. Seashore also runs the year-round National Streetcar Museum in Lowell, Massachusetts.

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