June 27, 2000
Press Contact: Greg Burke of IMS-21, (207) 985-1766, greg@ims21.net
SEASHORE TROLLEY MUSEUM: Ice Cream and Sunset Rides return to the Seashore Trolley Museum every Wednesday and Thursday evening (rain or shine) July 5 through August 31st. The Trolley ride departs promptly at 7:30pm. Cost: Only $3.00 per person including your ice cream cone! For additional information contact the Trolley Museum at 207-967-2800 or visit www.trolleymuseum.org.
Why Ice Cream rides… Back in the Trolley days, the Streetcar companies had all the business they could handle during the day. The Trolleys were packed with commuters every morning and every evening. But after the evening commute, the trolley operators needed additional business. This was in the days before air-conditioning so one enterprising outfit came up with a grand new scheme. They started the production of open-air cars, “breezers” as they were to become known. These cars were run at sunset so that families could enjoy a cool evening ride and a break from the sweltering city heat on those July and August nights.
Those “breezers” still exist at the Seashore Trolley Museum. “We are very pleased to offer the public an authentic trolley ride through the Maine countryside,” commented Museum Director Phil Morse. “It is a delight to see the children and parents enjoying the same great ride their grandparents experienced.”
The Seashore Trolley Museum is enjoying its 61st season of operation this summer. Car #31, a “breezer”, and the Museum’s first car is celebrating its 100th birthday. The Seashore Trolley Museum is the world’s oldest & largest museum of mass transit vehicles and is home to the National Collection of American Streetcars. For additional information contact the Trolley Museum at 207-967-2800 or visit them at www.trolleymuseum.org
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The Seashore Trolley Museum has been operated by the New England Electric Railway Historical Society since 1939 as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit educational institution. For additional information please call 207-985-2800 or visit them on the web at www.trolleymuseum.org