Coming March 2007

from the ConnecticutTrolley Museum

 "Western Connecticut Trolleys"

The book will feature archival photographs and narrative

about this States many trolley towns including:

Bridgeport, Danbury, Meriden, Middletown, New Haven's Winchester Avenue Railroad, Norwalk and Stamford. It will also feature the Shore Line Electric Railway which ran from New Haven to Old Saybrook.

"Greater Hartford Firefighting"

 by; Thomas Holcombe and Nancy Johanson

 Now Available in our Giftshop

Recently published “Greater Hartford Firefighting” traces the movement from horse drawn fire equipment to the motorized in the early part of 20th century Hartford, CT and its immediate suburbs.

The 1920’s favored this transition to motorized rigs ranging from cars to commercial trucks to specially built fire engines on standard chassis. Advancing hydraulic technology allowed for great improvement in features and functions including the ability to raise large aerial ladders.

With the advent of the Second World War, companies such as American LaFrance, Mack and others curtailed their building for domestic consumption and instead fed the war effort overseas. Post war normalacy allowed apparatus, long overdue for retirement, to be gradually replaced in the mid to late 40's

Cities flourished and with the construction of taller structures most fire departments attempted to keep up with the addition of aerial ladder trucks to replace the shorter, wooden ladder carriers. This necessitated a larger, longer truck to carry such a load, also requiring tiller rear-steering to navigate narrow city streets. Snorkels came along with the elevated firefighting platforms as further innovations were developed.

The Hartford and East and West Hartford Fire Departments have a proud and rich tradition of service to their communities. The Connecticut Fire Museum is proud to make this publication available with narrative of this heritage along with many outstanding, and carefully selected, historical photographs from its extensive archives.

reserve your copy today - email  giftshop@ceraweb.org

Another solid piece of work by our own trolley aficionados

"Hartford County Trolleys"

The book contains over 200 historic photographs,

some never before published.

"Hartford County Trolleys"

 illustrates the history of the streetcar industry as it existed from 1859 to 1941.  

In a joint effort with the Connecticut Electric Railway Association, operators of the Connecticut Trolley Museum and two members

of the Connecticut Motor Coach Museum contributed their time and expertise to produce this book.  Nancy and Bert Johanson, working

in consultation with Fred S. Bennett and using many photographs from his "Bristol Traction Collection", compiled the information and

visuals for this publication.

This new volume - another in a series on Connecticut Trolleys - is available in our Giftshop. Purchase it right from the source. What a great gift for the railfan. They will spend hours pouring over the historical photographs and narrative text.

Special - Book Selections

Two important photographic chronicles of the cross-over era where steam and diesel still shared the hi-iron. A photographic perspective of two of the great New England Railroads as they adjusted to the market place and broke rail fans hearts.

Our own Motorman, Art Mitchell, was the photographer for these excellent studies of the heavy traction of the 50's. Purchase one or more of these delightful coffee-table books and we will ask Art to sit a spell and autograph it for you.

What a great gift idea for the rail fan in your family. From your youngest to the oldest they will spend a lot of time looking and re-looking at these colorful photographs.

All books are seal-wrapped by the publisher for surface protection. We do have open copies in the giftshop so that you may browse from cover to cover.  And remember that we are a non profit organization so a good portion of your purchase price will go to the continued operation of the Connecticut Trolley Museum.

Boston & Maine Trackside

with Arthur E. Mitchell

The 11th in the "Trackside" series takes you to New England chiefly during the

1950's as Art sets out to record the end of steam on the B&M.  On the way he

captures the rare diesels of this pioneering railroad.

# 1582480257 - $54.95

Trackside

along the

New Haven   1950-1956

with Arthur E. Mitchell

This "trackside" book tours the New Haven in its Hunter Green pre-McGinnis years

after WWII.  Photographer Art Mitchell shows us a little steam and marine

operations and plenty of early diesels and heavy electrification.

#1582480869 - $59.95

Stop by the Museum Giftshop during one of your daytime outings. There is so much to see and we will always try to have a special discount or sale items available to peak your interest. Whether you have been here ten times or never, you will enjoy the relaxed browsing and the bright, uncluttered atmosphere - guarantee.

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