Trolley Training 2007

Let's hear from a few of our volunteer operators:

Becky K., photographer and mother from East Haddam notes:

``The amount of fun a person can have being a volunteer operator is unli mited! Personally, I love sharing excitement and enthusiasm with children who have never heard of a trolley car before. I also love hearing the older visitors reminisce about their trolley experiences. It is so rewarding to share insight into why some things were the way they were, for example, the reason why open cars had two running boards instead of one (to preserve the public's morals so one would not see above a lady's ankle.) For other examples, why not become a volunteer operator yourself?!''

Bob G. is retired in Florida and summers in Branford. He relates that

``although it may seem a bit corny, once I start heading down the line, I feel all of my tensions being relaxed; all of the cares and troubles of the day, the bills I have to pay, etc., are left at the station. I think of how I am doing what people one hundred years ago did, and how exciting it is to connect those people to the many younger people who visit the museum today. Running the trolley cars gives me a sense of accomplishment. My fellow volunteer operators are very friendly, supportive and knowledgeable.''

Mike R. from Orange is a corporate planning consultant and has just finished his first year as a volunteer operator. He explains how this has fulfilled a childhood dream: ``As a child taking a trolley ride was fun. We were always going somewhe re exciting - to visit an amusement park or a favorite relative. I enjoyed sitting by the trolley's open window in the summer time with the breeze blowing in my face and imagined the fun the operator was having starting and stopping the trolley car and ringing the bell. When I was able to develop enough courage I used to go to the rear of the car and sit at the controls an imagine that I was the operator. The motorman would yell out to me to ring the bell as we headed to the next stop. Boy, did I feel like a grown-up actually playing a part in operating the trolley car. I don't have to operate the trolley car backwards anymore. When the Trolley Museum needed volunteers to operate their cars, I jumped at the opportunity. Today as a certified operator I stand at the front of the car and actually operate it for real! I now get the pleasure of seeing young children wide eyed as we breeze down the rails and sense their excitement as I let them ring the bell. Every day I operate the trolleys it brings back memories of good times and the joy of sharing them with new generations of children.''

Jack R. lives in Hamden and is a commercial properties manager. In 2006, he had the highest number of volunteer hours operating the cars. Some of the things which keep Jack coming back are: ``The mesmerizing clicking and clacking sounds of the wheels, the wires and the rails. The warmth of the early morning sun's rays cascading across my face on a cool autumn morning as I run my trolley through the salt meadow. The boisterous sounds of merriment emanating from a gathering of birthday celebrants on a chartered party car. The pleasant smile of contentment on the time-worn face of an elderly visitor as she allows her thoughts to drift back to her youth, recalling the heyday of trolleys. The animated look of accomplishment and pride as a toddler rings the trolley gong for the first time.''

If you'd like to sign up please contact the museum's General Manager, George, at 203-467-6927, or send an email to berasltm18@sbcglobal.net.