Contact: Phil Morse, Executive Director, Seashore Trolley Museum, (207) 967-2712

Press Contact: Greg Burke of IMS-21, (207) 985-1766, greg@ims21.net

In 1939, a worldwide movement was started right here in Southern Maine. On July 4, 1939 Trolley Car No. 31 made its final run on the 8-miles of trolley tracks through Biddeford, Saco and Old Orchard Beach for the Biddeford & Saco Railroad Company. Car No. 31 was headed for the scrap heap for a price of $150. On July 5, 1939 a small group of trolley enthusiasts stepped forth with a deposit of $108 towards the purchase price of $150. On July 14 the balance of $42 was paid. The enthusiasts took title and commenced to prepare No. 31 for delivery to a small plot of rented land on Log Cabin Road in Kennebunkport. These trolley enthusiasts founded what would become the Seashore Trolley Museum.

Trolley No. 31 became the "Mother Car" of the Seashore Trolley Museum and, in fact, all similar museums throughout the world! She is the crown jewel of the collection. The Seashore Trolley Museum was the first private organization to save transit equipment anywhere in the world, starting a movement which now includes dozens and dozens of organizations spread all over the globe.

The Museum is the oldest and largest in the world dedicated to the preservation and operation of urban and interurban transit vehicles from the United States and abroad. It all started right here in our community!

The Seashore Trolley Museum wants to show-off trolley No. 31 to the community this year. 1999 will be the 60th anniversary of the saving of No. 31. And her 99^th year of operation. With the support of the Biddeford, Saco, Old Orchard Beach and Kennebunk communities, a fund drive is underway to raise money for needed restoration to No. 31 and to orchestrate an exhibit of trolley artifacts and photos at the York Institute Museum in Saco.

In March 1900, the Biddeford & Saco Railroad Company placed an order with the J.G. Brill Company of Philadelphia, PA for four 12-bench double-truck open cars. Trolley No. 31 was one of those four open cars. No. 31 (along with sister cars Nos. 29, 33 and 35) was delivered in early June of that year and the Biddeford Journal noted that they were painted carmine and yellow on their exteriors. The windows in the roof monitors were glazed with yellow Florentine glass; the seats and backs of the cross benches were fabricated of cherry and oak and trimmings were of solid bronze. They rode on Brill "Eureka" single-motor trucks and were equipped with General Electric motors and controllers and hand brakes. Twelve-bench cars, seating 60, were the largest open cars that could be operated on the Biddeford & Saco because of the restricted clearance at the Boston & Maine’s bridge across Beach Street. Pictures show that these opens could barely squeeze under the span, which is still in existence.

Open cars, like trolley No. 31, were known as "breezers". They were the "air conditioning" of their time. The open trolley ride to Old Orchard Beach on a hot summer day would have been a cooling and refreshing experience - thoroughly enjoyable in every respect. The Biddeford & Saco Railroad Company holds the distinction of being the very last trolley line in New England to operate "breezers" in regular service.

Support this community project by making a generous donation to the Seashore Trolley Museum and Car 31. The Seashore Trolley Museum is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization, and contributions may be Federally tax-deductible. For more information about becoming a major donor for this community project contact: Phil Morse at 207-967-2712. Or e mail him at: pmorse@gwi.net