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The President's Corner
Follow the Trolley Museum's progress with the President of the organization. The President's Corner provides project updates, expected needs, and notices about committee meetings.
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Keep up to day with what's going on at the Connecticut Trolley Museum via the Connecticut Company Blog, a volunteer's view of the Trolley Museum.
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Saturday morning, volunteers at the Connecticut Trolley Museum found three trolley cars dating back to 1905 stripped of their copper and brass components. Discovered during a convention of trolley enthusiasts from other trolley museums east of the Mississippi River, damage is estimated to be in the tens of thousands of dollars. Thieves were able to peel back a section of the metal siding on the barn to gain access. Once inside, crowbars were used to pry brass pieces off of the ceilings, windows, and exterior of these wooden cars doing extensive damage to the woodwork. Also, wiring was cut and some of the control gear was stripped out of the cars. The three cars that were stripped include:
- Car 1326 - the Museum’s Birthday Car
- Car 840 - the last open car to operate in revenue service in the United States
- Car 101 - a freight motor that the Museum acquired in 2009
Now, all three will require extensive work before they can be returned to operation for museum patrons to enjoy. Parts were missing from a fourth car in the barn that was already partially disassembled.
 Removed window latches |
 Missing brass hardware |
 Control wiring stripped |
In addition, the lock was cut on a track tool shed to gain access; however, it does not appear that any track materials were stolen.
The Connecticut Trolley Museum, which is operated by volunteers, features trolley rides on a 1.5 mile track and exhibits of the era.
The Connecticut Trolley Museum, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of the trolley era, is seeking donations to recover some of the costs associated with the repairs to these trolleys. For those interested in helping out, please contact the museum at 860-627-6540.
The museum is asking anyone with information regarding this theft, as well as anyone who may see suspicious activity around the museum, to contact the East Windsor Police Department 860-292-8240.
Donations helping the Ct Trolley Museum recover from Break In
Almost $300.00 and “In Kind” donations have been helping the CT Trolley Museum in East Windsor recover from the break-in last weekend.
Fred Stroiney, the Chairman of the Museum said that the Board of Directors and Management are very appreciative of all the volunteers and donors that have come forward to help. "Thank goodness that no one was hurt," he said. He also stated that "the Museum works with a very limited paid staff. Because of their dedication and the fast work of the many volunteers that helped on early Saturday morning, all the guests visiting the Museum were accommodated as if nothing had happened."
He further stated that a fund has been set up to repair the damage and to improve security at the Visitor’s Center. Anyone wishing to help should send donations to the Vandalism Repair Fund, CT Trolley Museum, 58 North Road, East Windsor CT, 06088.
Connecticut Trolley Museum Vandalized
Police responded to a break-in early Saturday morning. News article from the Windsor Locks - East Windsor Patch with photos and details of the break-in we experienced the morning of July 30th.
Connecticut Trolley Museum Vandalized
Museum is Open for Business
Despite the break-in and vandalism that occurred the morning of July 30th, the museum is open for business. Volunteers are working to clean up and repair the damage. The estimated cost of merchandise stolen from the gift shop and damage to the building is between $5,000 and $6,000. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the East Windsor Police Department.
Rails to the Darkside
A great article was done up in the Hartford Courant. Rails to the Darkside would not be successful if it wasn't for our volunteers! Thank you!
Halloween Event: Brave Souls Ride the Rails to the Darkside
2010 United Way Day of Caring
Thank you to all the people from United HeathCare who worked so hard on Day of Caring, despite the heat. They accomplished so much: put stone in the flower beds out in front of the Visitors Center, laid patio blocks at the entrance way to the door, built metal shelving, put packets of information together to distribute to visitors, painted trolley cars, washed windows, cleaned out trolley cars and more!
 Laying blocks at the Visitor Center entrance |
 Doing a little gardening |
 Freshening up the landscaping |
 Helping get some office work completed |
 Putting primer on Conn. Co. 154 |
In Memoriam - William C. Dow
William C. Dow, 79, Of Enfield, husband of the late Lillian L. Dow, passed away on Wednesday, June 2, 2010, at Evergreen Health Care Facility in Stafford Springs.
Bill was born in Hartford on Dec. 7, 1930, son of the late William C. and Marion (Connolly) Dow. Bill worked for many years at Conn Mutual Ins. Co., Hartford where he performed specialty printing the company required. Bill is a member of the CT Valley Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society as well as a member of the Ct. Electric Railway of East Windsor. This is where Bill spent many pleasurable hours as a motorman on the trolleys and relating the history to everyone on his run. Bill is a member of Calvary Presbyterian Church and a member of Masonic Composite Lodge 28 A.F. & A.M. of Suffield.
Bill was predeceased by his sister, Marjorie (Dow) Bragg, and is survived by his nephews, Richard L. Bragg and wife, Jeannette, William L. Bragg and wife, April; great-nephews, Darren R. Bragg and wife, Emma, Michael W. Bragg and wife, Christy, Richard Bragg, Ralph A. Bragg and wife, Sharon; and great-niece, Sheila Wilson and husband, Steven.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Evergreen Health Care Facility for their excellent care given to Bill. We would also like to thank Bill's many friends at the Country Diner and Ann's Pizza for their concern.
A funeral service was held on June 7, 2010, at the Rose Hill Funeral Home, 580 Elm St., Rocky Hill. Burial is in Rose Hill Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Conn. Electric Railway (Connecticut Trolley Museum) of East Windsor.
Published in Journal Inquirer June 9, 2010
Dedicated ING Volunteers Help as Part of United Way Volunteer Day
United Way Volunteer Day, May 27, 2010. 11 employees from ING came and emptied two storage rooms, assembled steel shelving and organized all the items from the rooms and put them back on the shelves. They worked very hard, but despite the heat they had a great time. We thank them very, very much.
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Copyright 2012 Connecticut Electric Railway Association, Inc. All rights reserved. Connecticut Trolley Museum website by Matthew D. Cosgro |