Baltimore Streetcar Museum
Encyclopedia
Museum
A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
located at 1901 Falls Road (MD 25
Maryland Route 25
Maryland Route 25 , locally known for nearly its entire length as Falls Road, is a state highway in the U.S. state of Maryland. It begins north of downtown Baltimore, just north of Penn Station, and continues north through Baltimore County almost to the Pennsylvania state line...
) in Baltimore, Maryland. The museum is dedicated to preserving Baltimore's public transportation history, especially the streetcar
Tram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
era. The museum is open Noon to 5 P.M. every Sunday of the year and Noon to 5 P.M. Saturdays, as well Sundays, June through October.
The original Museum collection had been under the stewardship of the United Railways and Electric Company, then the Baltimore Transit Company and finally, for a short time, the Maryland Historical Society. Finally a Museum, the Baltimore Streetcar Museum, was founded in 1966 by several members of the Baltimore Chapter of the National Railroad Historical Society. The collection was moved from Lake Roland Park in 1968 to the present Falls Road site and public operations began in July 1970. Before public operations could commence, many hours of volunteer work were necessary to build operating track and install overhead wire which, at first, provided only short ride for visitors. Over the years, the Museum has incrementally extended its line along Falls Road that includes now turning loops at the north and south ends of its line. Completion of the Museum's entire streetcar line was realized in October 2008 with the completion of its double tracking project, which took many years to complete.
The Baltimore Streetcar Museum houses the library collections of the Baltimore Streetcar Museum and the National Railway Historical Society
National Railway Historical Society
The National Railway Historical Society is a non-profit organization established in 1935 in the United States to promote interest in, and appreciation for, the historical development of railroads. It is headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and organized into 16 regions and...
(Baltimore Chapter), formally known as Maryland Rail Heritage Library.
Some of Baltimore Streetcar Museum's
During public operations, the Baltimore Streetcar Museum offers rides to visitors the on various Streetcars including, but not limited to:- Car # 264, a United Railways and Electric CompanyUnited Railways and Electric CompanyThe United Railways and Electric Company was a street railway company in the Baltimore Metropolitan Area of the U.S. state of Maryland from 1899 to 1935....
convertible model, built in 1900 by the Brownell Car CompanyBrownell Car CompanyBrownell Car Company was a horsecar and streetcar builder in St. Louis, Missouri.Originally founded as Brownell and Wight Car Company by Frederick Brownell and Andrew Wight in 1875 as a horsecar builder, the company was renamed in 1879....
; - Car # 4533, a United Railways and Electric CompanyUnited Railways and Electric CompanyThe United Railways and Electric Company was a street railway company in the Baltimore Metropolitan Area of the U.S. state of Maryland from 1899 to 1935....
Brill 22-E (One-Man Safety) model, built in 1904 by J. G. Brill Company; - Car #6119, a United Railways and Electric CompanyUnited Railways and Electric CompanyThe United Railways and Electric Company was a street railway company in the Baltimore Metropolitan Area of the U.S. state of Maryland from 1899 to 1935....
Brill 177-E1X Peter Witt streetcarPeter Witt streetcarPeter Witt was a Cleveland Railway commissioner, who designed a model of streetcar known by his name, and used in many North American cities, most notably in Toronto and Cleveland.-Features:...
model, built in 1930 by J. G. Brill Company; and, - Car #7407, a Baltimore Transit Company Clark B-2 model, built in 1930 by the Pullman-Standard Car Manufacturing CompanyPullman CompanyThe Pullman Palace Car Company, founded by George Pullman, manufactured railroad cars in the mid-to-late 19th century through the early decades of the 20th century, during the boom of railroads in the United States. Pullman developed the sleeping car which carried his name into the 1980s...
.
On many occasions, passengers may ride the BSM's latest acquisition, a Philadelphia SEPTA Presidents' Conference Committee (PCC streetcar
PCC streetcar
The PCC streetcar design was first built in the United States in the 1930s. The design proved successful in its native country, and after World War II was licensed for use elsewhere in the world...
), car #2068), unveiled in September 2009. During the spring, summer and fall (weather permitting), passengers may also ride the BSM's Car #1164, a United Railways and Electric Company
United Railways and Electric Company
The United Railways and Electric Company was a street railway company in the Baltimore Metropolitan Area of the U.S. state of Maryland from 1899 to 1935....
12-Bench Open Brill 22-A model, built in 1902 by J. G. Brill Company. Even Santa Claus
Santa Claus
Santa Claus is a folklore figure in various cultures who distributes gifts to children, normally on Christmas Eve. Each name is a variation of Saint Nicholas, but refers to Santa Claus...
comes to visit the children during the Museum's Santa's StreetcarBold text event which operates for two weekends in December.
Photos of some of the BSM collection are available at the following links:
- PCC 7407 http://www.baltimorestreetcar.org/images/baltpcc1.jpg,
- Peter Witt 6119 http://www.baltimorestreetcar.org/images/6119600.jpg,
- Car 1164 http://www.baltimorestreetcar.org/images/1164600.jpg,
- Car 554 http://www.baltimorestreetcar.org/images/554600.jpg,
- Cars 3550, 3828, 264 and 1164 http://www.baltimorestreetcar.org/images/temp/grpcars.jpg.
Volunteer Operating Staff
The Museum's streetcar operations is handled by an all-volunteer staff, composed exclusively of Museum members. Training is provided by the Museum's Training Department during a formal eleven week educational program. Recruitment is periodically advertised through the Museum's newsletter which all Museum members receive.Museum Rentals
The Baltimore Streetcar Museum is also available for private parties for children and adults alike. The BSM's Visitor Center facilities feature an auditorium, the "Trolley Theatre," streetcar rides, and tours of the carhouse, where visitors view other historical transit equipment, such as a 1859 horse car, a crane car, and an electric bus, known as a trackless trolley or trolleybusTrolleybus
A trolleybus is an electric bus that draws its electricity from overhead wires using spring-loaded trolley poles. Two wires and poles are required to complete the electrical circuit...
.
Streetcar Service
A track providing service at the museum is identified as the Maryland Transit AdministrationMaryland Transit Administration
The Maryland Transit Administration is a state-operated mass transit administration in Maryland, and is part of the Maryland Department of Transportation. It is better known as MTA Maryland to avoid confusion with other cities' transit agencies who share the initials MTA. The MTA operates a...
's Route 25. At one time, the United Railways and Electric Company routes is Route 25 line on Fall Road, past the current site of the Museum.