
February 13, 1999
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Phil Morse, President, Seashore Trolley Museum, (207) 967-2800
Press Contact: Greg Burke of IMS-21, (207) 985-1766, greg@ims21.net
Car #1 returns to the Seashore Trolley Museum
Kennebunkport, Maine: Thursday January 14, 1999 marked the homecoming of the Denver & South Platte Ry Car #1 to the Seashore Trolley Museum after a five-year stay in Richmond, Virginia. In a cooperative effort the Kennebunkport Museum leased the trolley to the Valentine Museum. "We are glad the people of Virginia were able to enjoy viewing this magnificent car and we are very pleased to have the car back in Maine," commented Acting Director John Middleton.This four wheel Birney Safety car was built by the American Car Co. in 1919 and originally served in Colorado. In 1927 the car was acquired by the York Utilities Co. which was the successor to the Atlantic Shore Line RR. For many years this car ran in the streets of Sanford, Maine. In 1947 the Seashore Trolley Museum acquired the car and began restoring it to its original appearance.
While at the Valentine Museum's Riverside Campus the car was on display to thousands of people. Prior to the trip to Virginia, the car had traveled to Brooklyn NY where it appeared in the 1991 movie "Malcolm X" starring Denzel Washington. In the movie, the car was used to reenact the accident that killed Malcom X's father.
The Seashore Trolley Museum will be celebrating its 60th Anniversary this summer with season long promotions and events. The Seashore Trolley Museum is the worlds oldest & largest museum of mass transit vehicles and is home to the National Collection of Historic American Streetcars.
For additional information contact the Trolley Museum at 207-967-2800 or visit them at www.trolleymuseum.com.
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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. The Museum will reopen for its 60th season May 1, 1999.