There are few attractions in Fort Smith as popular as the Fort Smith Trolley Museum. It offers a fun-filled day full of great things to see, such as those mentioned here.
Streetcars
There are nine streetcars on display at the Trolley Museum, including two 1906 electric Brill streetcars, a 1902 American Car Company streetcar, a 1904 St. Louis Car Company streetcar, a 1926 Cincinnati Car Company streetcar, and two 1926 American Car Company streetcars, among others. You won’t find a finer collection of electric streetcars anywhere in the nation!
Passenger Cars
A variety of passenger cars are also on display at the museum. These are various train cars, including a 1938 American Car and Freight passenger car, a Pullman passenger car, and a 1966 Darby caboose. Train cars can bring you back to the past as you see how people traveled before airplanes became the preferred method of transportation for long trips.
Freight Cars
Three freight cars call the Trolley Museum home, which are two American Car and Freight cars, one built in 1971 and the other of unknown age, and a 1956 Pullman freight car from the St. Louis – San Francisco Railway. These freight cars resemble those that people used to jump on and travel for free as stowaways in the early- and mid-1900s.
Locomotives
One of the best parts of the Trolley Museum is the historic locomotives it has on display. The oldest locomotive is a Plymouth gas-mechanical locomotive built in 1940 from the Augusta Railroad in Augusta, Arkansas. There is a Whiting locomotive as well, that is of unknown age, but has been modified to rearrange streetcars in the train yard. A 1942 Vulcan locomotive, also from the Augusta Railroad is another star of the exhibit.
Work Equipment
More than just trains and trolleys are on display at the Trolley Museum. There are also various pieces of equipment that were once used in train yards to make the jobs of trainmen easier. For example, there is a 1951 Fairmont A5-C 3-2 that is actually still in operation at the museum today. A 1973 Fairmont M19 Speeder is also still used by the museum to allow maintenance workers to speed down the tracks to areas that need repair.
Motor Buses
You can also see several motor buses at this museum, even though they are not the primary attraction. The oldest motor bus on site is a 1937 Yellow gas bus that was once owned by the Twin City Coach company. A 1939 Twin Coach gas motor bus that was initially owned by Capital City Company is another bus that garners a lot of attention.
Trolley Rides
At the Trolley Museum, you don’t just have to look at the trolley cars, trains, and buses. You have the opportunity to ride a trolley as well. Adults can jump on a trolley for just $4.00 each and kids can ride for $2.00 each.
Trolley Cats
Five cats call the museum home and you’re sure to see them wandering around the yard. They are all spayed or neutered, but just love both trains and visitors. Be on the lookout for KCS “Casey,” Uncle Pete, Daylight, Narrow Gauge, and Midnight as you stroll through the museum.
The Trolley Museum is an excellent choice for avid train fans, or even just those who are interested in the history of the railroad in Arkansas. If trains aren’t your thing, though, come on by Crain Kia, and our employees will provide you with other attractions in the area that might interest you more.
Image via Pixabay
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