The Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum is a fun, family-friendly Western Mass destination. At this volunteer-run museum, you can ride the rails on a vintage, restored trolley car that was built in 1896. Older participants can even try their hand at operating an old pump car, just like the ones we used to see in the old cartoons. With admission being only $4 for adults and $2 for children, there’s no reason not to visit this very special place.
The Trolley Car Ride
Because we like to beat the crowds, Benny and I decided to get to the Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum first thing in the morning. We’re very glad we did! We were able to get our tickets and hop right into the small, yellow trolley car. No one else was there at the time, so we were able to have our very own private tour! What an adventure!
As we began our ride, the conductor told us the story behind the trolley car. A long time ago, a local farmer bought the old car and converted it into a chicken coop and a shed. Benny started clucking like a chicken during this story, so I had to tell him to stop. Eventually, the museum acquired the car and restored it. They did such a great job with the restoration that you would have no idea that it was ever a chicken coop, unless you ride with a certain colorful bear.
The trolley traveled tranquilly (did you like that alliteration there?) for about 1000 feet. The ride isn’t long, but along the way, we enjoyed fall colors, and we could see the Deerfield River and even the Bridge of Flowers.
Benny Tries to Drive
I should have seen this coming, and shame on me that I didn’t. For fans of the blog, you know that Benny likes to get into trouble, and if this is your first post with us, you’ll soon learn that I need to keep an eye on Benny at all times.
You see, Benny noticed that the motorman (aka the driver) was doing a great job driving the train. “Of course he his,” I told him. “He’s trained.” Benny thought I was making a pun, but for the first time in a while, I wasn’t trying to. (Get it, we’re on tracks, he’s trained? …see, it wasn’t that funny anyway.)
Well, when we came to end of the line, and the motorman got out, Benny saw his chance. “Bob, look at the foliage! You should really take pictures with that nifty camera of yours!”
I took the bait. I went outside and snapped away. I was so engrossed taking photos that I lost sight of Benny. I started calling out, “Benny, where are you?” I was getting a little nervous.
And then I spotted him, that little nitwit! He was in the front of the trolley, where the motorman should be!
Thankfully, he couldn’t move the level he was sitting at. And even if he could, the trolley wouldn’t have gone very far; we learned later that he was actually sitting at the brake wheel!
Needless to say, I wasn’t too happy with him, and I didn’t speak much on the ride back. He didn’t seem fazed, however. He just spent time looking out of the window and reading a book about the trolley we were in.
This book is available at the museum’s gift shop.
The Pump Car
When we returned, I had cooled down. The next thing to check out at the Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum was the pump car. It’s just like those cars we’d see Wile E. Coyote use to chase the Road Runner.
Unfortunately for Benny, he’s too short to operate the car, so he had to get off and watch me have all the fun instead. Thankfully, one of the museum staff members volunteered to keep an eye on him. Another staff member taught me what to do. I flew down the track! Thankfully, she applied the brakes.
The Caboose and Other Railroad Relics
The Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum also has an old caboose from Vermont that you can explore.
You can admire this old Boston MBTA Green Line Trolley from the outside.
Benny and I had a great time at the Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum. The staff at the museum were really friendly. We’d like to give them a shout-out for their fun trolley ride, teaching me how to use a pump car, watching Benny while I was on the pump car, and for preserving this railroad history for everyone to enjoy.
For more information on the museum, check out The Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum website.
FYI – check the hours of the museum on their website before going. They are open seasonally.
More to check out nearby:
Explore the nearby Yankee Candle Headquarters and make your own candle! Read about our adventure here! How to Make Your Own Candle at the Yankee Candle Headquarters in nearby Deerfield, MA.
Looking for more adventures in New England? Subscribe and follow us!
Check out our map of places we’ve been in New England!
Find New England Travel Guides and Books. This is an affiliate link, and we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Please share on Pinterest!
The Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum is located in Shelburne Falls, MA.
Check out our map of places we’ve been in New England!
Find New England Travel Guides and Books. This is an affiliate link, and we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
[…] we had visited the Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum, we headed down to the center of Shelburne Falls with every intention of checking out this famous […]