The Seashore Trolley Museum in 1998 received the donation of several hundred feet of movie film from the late Ken DeCelle. Mr. DeCelle was a long-time avid trolley fan who took movies of trolley cars in his home state of Connecticut beginning in the late 1930s. We are pleased to be able to present some of Mr. DeCelle's films for you on this all-color video presentation covering the trolley operations of the Connecticut Company in New Haven.

The tape begins with views of the regular service cars in New Haven. Cars of the 1500, 1700, 1800, 1900, 3100 and 3200 classes are featured. Routes shown include State Street, Savin Rock and Dawson Avenue. Cars are shown in the city and on private right-of-way.

Next rare footage shows some of the Yale Bowl service before World War II. Open and closed cars are used to transport thousands of football fans from the railroad station and downtown to the Yale Bowl.

Many fantrips were scheduled over the lines of the Connecticut Company before streetcar service ended. Nearly every type of car was used ranging from the open cars to the deluxe private car 500. These trips ran on many of the lines including the Branford line and the line to Lighthouse Point.

After the fantrips work cars were pulled out of the barn for the fans to photograph. There are crane cars, rail carrying cars, sand cars and snowplows.

Finally we close with a visit to the Branford Electric Railway Association line between East Haven and Short Beach while it was still connected to the remainder of the Connecticut Company trolley system. Third Avenue Railway System car 884 and Union Street Railway car 302 operate on the line along with the preserved Connecticut Company trolleys.

The scenes shown here are actual screen shots captured from the videotape.

The tape runs for 67 minutes and includes all color film footage. There is narration with background music. The tape sells for $24.95. Please contact the Seashore Trolley Museum Store for current shipping information.

Seashore Trolley Museum
P. O. Box A
Kennebunkport, Maine 04046-1690

(207) 967-2712 (Office and Museum Store)

E-mail: store@trolleymuseum.org