Phoenix Trolley Museum

It’s that time again – Arizona Gives Day is today and the Phoenix Trolley Museum needs YOU to keep history rolling!

Why Give?
• Preserve and restore authentic 1920s Phoenix streetcars
• Bring history to life for kids, students, and curious visitors of all ages
• Keep our exhibits, tours, and Trolley Talks fun, engaging, and unforgettable

Every donation counts! Whether you chip in $20 or $500, your support keeps our trolleys restored, our museum growing, and Phoenix’s transit history alive for future generations.

Donate Now and Keep History on Track! https://www.azgives.org/organization/PTM

Or take your support further:
• Become a member
•Join the Trolley Corps as a volunteer
• Apply for a seat on our Board of Directors
https://www.phxtrolley.org/membership

Thanks for keeping Phoenix streetcars rolling – literally and historically!

It's day already!? Another year, a little more progress making our little museum better and better. Please help us reach our $500 goal today through the Arizona Gives portal at https://www.azgives.org/organization/PTM

LAST CHANCE to register for the (free) Saturday bike ride along the historic Kenilworth trolley line, which went up through the Roosevelt and Willo neighborhoods, and then around downtown. Come on out and exercise body and brain at the same time in the cool morning air! https://www.facebook.com/events/1668620604323709

Car 512 out in service in front of St. Mary's Cathedral (now Basilica) in the 1940s. This car was one of seven destroyed in the great Car Barn Fire of 1947 that ultimately spelled the end of Phoenix's streetcar system.
For a 1-2 hour guided tour of the Kenilworth Streetcar Line and the downtown loop (including St. Mary's) by bicycle, sign up today for this Saturday's (3/21/26) Pedal Through the Past Bike Ride II - the Kenilworth Line. Space still available! (BYO Bike.)

HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED along the Second Street line from 1922 to 2026 - 104 years! We will be tracing the streetcar route on bikes THIS SATURDAY MORNING (3/21). We may be in a heat wave, but starting at 9 AM, temps will still be in the 80s. There is still plenty of room to join us. Register today to attend PEDAL TO THE PAST Streetcar Bike Ride - event details at https://www.facebook.com/events/1668620604323709

The next Streetcar Bike Tour is Saturday 3/21! Yes, it's warming up but it should only be in the 80's during the ride. Check out where the streetcars ran along Grand, downtown, and through the scenic Roosevelt historic district. Event details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1668620604323709

John, a friend from Texas who has been deeply involved in operating transportation systems there and is also a trolley enthusiast, took an original component from Streetcar #504 to replicate it so we can begin restoring that portion of the car. Here is the replicated piece at his workshop.

Thanks to all who came out for the annual meeting of the Phoenix Trolley Museum! The donuts are eaten and we are on track for another year.

🚋 Phoenix Trolley Museum Annual Meeting — Saturday, March 7

Ninety-two years ago, crowds gathered in Phoenix to see what happened when “a truck tangled with a tram.” The truck drove away. The streetcar… not so much.

Good news: our annual meeting in Streetcar #116 promises far less excitement of the crash variety.

Instead, you’ll hear about the Phoenix Trolley Museum’s big plans for the future, learn how our historic streetcars are coming along, and maybe even decide to climb aboard as a volunteer.

Details:
📅 Saturday, March 7, 10 a.m.
📍 Inside historic Streetcar #116, 1117 Grand Avenue, Phoenix
🍩 Donuts and coffee served (no tow trucks expected)

Unlike the spectators in 1934, you won’t be coming to see a wreck — you’ll be coming to help build something. All aboard!

🚋 Arizona Railway Day was a hit!

After set-up in the morning (see photo), we welcomed an estimated 145 visitors to the trolley section at the Arizona Railway Museum during the big event at Tumbleweed Park (with more than 800 attendees overall).

Guests explored the Toronto PCC streetcar and the 1910 Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Coach #580, rang our trolley bell (a crowd favorite!), visited the gift shop, and learned more about Phoenix’s trolley history. There was a nearly constant stream of families and rail fans throughout the day.

A big thank you to dedicated volunteers who kept the displays running smoothly and shared their knowledge with visitors of all ages.

Coming up this Saturday is our Annual Meeting. Join us! Details here: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Dxsm7s3b3/

📣 Our updated Phoenix Trolley Museum brochures have arrived!

You’ll find copies available at the Museum — and at the Arizona Capitol Museum, where our "traveling" exhibit is on display on the 4th floor.

We’d love to help spread the word about Phoenix’s trolley history. If you welcome visitors to Phoenix, work at a history-related site, or simply enjoy sharing local history with others, we’d be happy to provide you with a small supply to share. Just let us know, and we’ll gladly drop brochures off to you!

About two dozen visitors exploring historic Grand Avenue stopped by the museum today — including several from out of state. These three guests traveled all the way from South Carolina to see us!

While one board member kept things moving in the museum office, another led a tour of our three historic trolleys in the yard. Judging by the smiles and great conversation, everyone had a terrific visit.