New England Electric Railway Historical Society

SEE MISSION STATEMENT.

IN 2023, AS IN PAST YEARS, THE NEW ENGLAND ELECTRIC RAILWAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, OPERATORS OF THE SEASHORE TROLLEY MUSEUM AND THE NATIONAL STREETCAR MUSEUM IN LOWELL [MASSACHUSETTS] HAVE CONTINUED TO CARRY OUT ITS PRIMARY MISSION OF COLLECTING, RESTORING, PRESERVING, INTERPRETING AND OPERATING TRANSIT VEHICLES, INCLUDING CITY STREETCARS, INTERURBAN CARS AND RAPID TRANSIT CARS, BUSES AND TRACKLESS TROLLEYS.BOTH MUSEUM CAMPUSES WERE OPEN IN 2023; THE LOWELL MUSEUM CONTINUES TO BE OPEN YEAR-ROUND ON WEEKENDS, AND SEASHORE TROLLEY MUSEUM WAS OPEN ON TUESDAYS FOR GROUP TOURS IN THE FALL, AND OPERATED FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC FROM WEDNESDAY-SUNDAY FROM MAY THROUGH OCTOBER, AND THE FIRST TWO WEEKENDS OF DECEMBER FOR KENNEBUNKPORT'S CHRISTMAS PRELUDE CELEBRATION. EVERY ELECTRIC STREETCAR OR INTERURBAN CAR IN THE OPERATING FLEET IS A RETIRED TRANSIT VEHICLE, MANY OF WHICH ARE OVER 100 YEARS OLD, AND ARE SUBJECT TO SERVICING AND CAREFUL INSPECTION BEFORE BEING RELEASED FOR PUBLIC SERVICE ON THE1.7-MILE-LONG DEMONSTRATION RAILWAY. AS THE FLEET OF CARS OPERATED FOR THE PUBLIC COMPRISES HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS, THE COST TO MAINTAIN IT IS A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THE OVERALL BUDGET.AUXILIARY OPERATIONS:AUXILIARY OPERATIONS EXPENSES INCLUDE THOSE EXPENSES RELATING TO MUSEUM STORE SALES, AND OTHER SALES.MUSEUM STORE SALES INCLUDE THE SALE OF RELATED MERCHANDISE TO VISITORS AND MUSEUM MEMBERS. OTHER SALES INCLUDES THE SALE OF PARTS, EQUIPMENT, AND GENERAL SCRAP THAT THE SOCIETY HAS ACQUIRED IN THE PAST, AND NO LONGER NEEDS, OR HAS BEEN REPLACED, AND CONSTRUCTION OF SPECIALTY CARS FOR PRIVATE CUSTOMERS. THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO PURCHASE SURPLUS PARTS AND EQUIPMENT INCLUDE PUBLIC TRANSIT AUTHORITIES, OTHER RAILWAY-ORIENTED MUSEUMS, AND PRIVATE COLLECTORS. SCRAP IS USUALLY SOLD TO A MANUFACTURER OR TO A JUNK OPERATION.THERE ARE NO AUXILIARY OPERATIONS GENERAL EXPENSES, OTHER THAN THE COST BASIS OF THE ITEMS SOLD REPORTED IN PART VIII AND THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE COMMISSIONED WORK. ANY SUCH COSTS ARE INCLUDED IN THE CURATORIAL AND EXHIBITS EXPENSES THAT RELATE TO THE PURCHASE OF PARTS AND EQUIPMENT FOR CONSERVATION OF THE COLLECTIONS.CURATORIAL AND EXHIBITSTHE CURATORIAL AND EXHIBITS FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES INCLUDE ALL EXPENSES THAT DIRECTLY RELATE TO ACCOMPLISHING THE SOCIETY'S MISSION. SUCH EXPENSES INCLUDE THE ACQUISITION AND CONSERVATION OF COLLECTIONS, THE ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF EXHIBITS AND DISPLAYS, THE COSTS OF OPERATING HISTORIC TRANSIT VEHICLES FOR THE PUBLIC, THE COSTS INCURRED FOR ADMISSIONS AND OPERATING SPECIAL EVENTS FOR THE PUBLIC, THE MAINTENANCE OF THOSE FACILITIES DEVOTED TO THE CONSERVATION, DISPLAY, AND INTERPRETATION OF THE COLLECTIONS, THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR THE PUBLIC, AND ANY OTHER ASSOCIATED EXPENSES.AS NOTED, THE MAIN ACTIVITY IS THE RESTORATION AND CONSERVATION OF THE MUSEUM'S COLLECTION, PRIMARILY THE COLLECTION OF HISTORIC TRANSIT VEHICLES. THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN A GREAT STRENGTH OF THE ORGANIZATION, AND THE SOCIETY HAD BEEN A LEADER IN THIS FIELD. SUCH ACTIVITY INCLUDES RESTORATION, CONSERVATION, AND RUNNING MAINTENANCE. RUNNING MAINTENANCE IS NECESSARY BECAUSE MANY OF THE VEHICLES IN THE COLLECTION ARE USED TO PROVIDE RIDES TO THE PUBLIC. 4.A.2 PROTECTION OF THE MUSEUM'S EXTENSIVE VEHICLE COLLECTION IS A KEY RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SOCIETY. IN RECENT YEARS, EFFORTS HAVE FOCUSED ON MAINTAINING THE NOW 60-YEAR-OLD BUILDINGS HOUSING MUCH OF THE COLLECTION. FOUNDATION WORK AND ENGINEERING STUDIES FOR ADDITIONAL WORK IN CAR BARNS HAS BEEN A FOCUS. IN OCTOBER 2022, CONSTRUCTION BEGAN ON THE MUSEUM'S FIRST WEATHER-TIGHT CARHOUSE, WHICH WILL HOUSE THE MUSEUM'S OPERATING FLEET. THIS BUILDING WILL BE COMPLETED AND READY FOR USE IN 2024. A KEY PART OF OUR MISSION IS TO "PROVIDE A REPOSITORY FOR ARTIFACTS AND INFORMATION OF AN EDUCATIONAL AND HISTORICAL NATURE RELATING TO THE ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE TRANSIT INDUSTRY AND ITS CONTRIBUTION TO MODERN SOCIETY." WE HAVE A DEDICATED AND VERY ACTIVE GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS IN THIS AREA, WHO HAVE ORGANIZED MUCH OF THE COLLECTION OF LIBRARY MATERIALS AND ASSOCIATED ARTIFACTS, AND MOVED SOME OF IT TO SAFER STORAGE. VOLUNTEERS HAVE ELECTRONICALLY SCANNED AND CATALOGUED MUCH OF THE COLLECTION.4.B. PUBLIC OPERATIONS PROGRAMS THE MAINE CAMPUS IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON WEEKENDS IN MAY AND DECEMBER AND WEDNESDAY-SUNDAY FROM JUNE 1-OCTOBER 31. EVERY ELECTRIC STREETCAR OR INTERURBAN CAR IN OUR OPERATING FLEET IS AN AUTHENTIC TRANSIT VEHICLE, USUALLY OVER 100 YEARS OLD, SUBJECT TO SERVICING AND INSPECTION BEFORE BEING RELEASED FOR PUBLIC SERVICE ON OUR DEMONSTRATION RAILWAY. BUS TOUR BUSINESS BECAME SIGNIFICANT IN 2015 AND REMAINED SO THROUGH 2019, TAPERING OFF DURING COVID-19. BUS TOUR BUSINESS WAS BACK IN HIGH DEMAND DURING THE 2023 SEASON. SPECIAL EVENTS DURING 2023 INCLUDED OUR ALWAYS POPULAR PUMPKIN PATCH DURING FOUR WEEKENDS IN LATE SEPTEMBER AND EARLY OCTOBER, "TROLLEYWEEN, AND ANNUAL MEETING AND MEMBER'S DAY EVENTS FOR OUR MEMBERS. DANIEL TIGER VISITED THE MUSEUM IN JULY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MAINE PUBLIC, AND A NEW SELL-OUT EVENT WAS BACK FOR A SECOND SEASON IN 2023: DINO TROLLEY. EACH OF THESE EVENTS IS DESIGNED TO SHOWCASE OUR SUBSTANTIAL COLLECTION OF STREETCARS, INTERURBAN CARS, BUSES, TRACKLESS TROLLEYS AND RAPID TRANSIT CARS AS WELL AS TO CONNECT FAMILIES TO THE MUSEUM.BESIDES RIDING AUTHENTICALLY RESTORED TROLLEY CARS, OUR 36,899 VISITORS IN 2023 HAD ACCESS TO THIRTY OTHER CARS IN THREE PUBLIC EXHIBIT BARNS. WHEN SUFFICIENT VOLUNTEER STAFF IS AVAILABLE AND INFRASTRUCTURE STATUS ALLOWS, A TROLLEY RUNS ON A SHORT SHUTTLE TRIP TO THE LARGEST OF THESE BARNS, AND/OR A DOCENT GIVES GUIDED TOURS OF THE EXHIBITS ON DISPLAY. VISITORS WHO CHOOSE TO NAVIGATE THE CAMPUS ON A SELF-GUIDED TOUR HAVE MAPS AND A COMPREHENSIVE INTERPRETIVE SIGN PROGRAM IMPLEMENTED IN 2014 AT THEIR DISPOSAL AND A NEW INTERACTIVE SELF-GUIDED TOUR WILL BE INTRODUCED DURING THE 2024 SEASON. VISITORS MAY VIEW THE RESTORATION WORK IN PROGRESS IN OUR SHOP VIA A VISITOR'S GALLERY. OUR VISITORS CENTER EXHIBIT TELLS THE STORY OF THE ELECTRIC RAILWAY INDUSTRY WHICH A CENTURY AGO WAS THE FIFTH LARGEST IN THE COUNTRY, AND THE EXHIBIT FOCUSES ON THE RESTORATION COMPLETED IN 2009 OF ATLANTIC SHORE LINE ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE 100, A PROGRAM THAT INCLUDED AN EXTENSIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM AND WHICH WAS SUPPORTED BY THE STATE OF MAINE'S ALLOCATION OF FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT FUNDS.BEGINNING IN 2023, THE MUSEUM STARTED A PARTNERSHIP WITH REVOLUTION RAIL, INC. AND NOW OFFERS RAILBIKE RIDES ALONG THE MUSEUM'S HERITAGE RAILWAY. THE MUSEUM HAS ENTERED A FIVE-YEAR LEASE WITH REVOLUTION RAIL WITH THE ULTIMATE GOAL THAT THEY WILL INVEST THE FUNDING NEEDED TO EXPAND THE MUSEUM'S HERITAGE RAILWAY ANOTHER TWO MILES. THE SOCIETY OPERATES THE NATIONAL STREETCAR MUSEUM AT LOWELL (MASSACHUSETTS), IN CLOSE COOPERATION WITH THE LOWELL NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK AND THE CITY OF LOWELL. THE MUSEUM INCLUDES A TWO-FLOOR EXHIBIT COVERING THE EVOLUTION OF RAIL TRANSIT IN LOWELL AND AROUND THE COUNTRY. THIS IS SUPPLEMENTED BY OPERATION OF THE SOCIETY'S CLASSIC NEW ORLEANS STREETCAR BY SOCIETY VOLUNTEERS ON THE NATIONAL PARK'S 1.5 MILE TROLLEY NETWORK. TO MAINTAIN RELIABLE OPERATIONS WE MUST PREVENT THE ENCROACHMENT OF TREES AND OTHER VEGETATION ON OUR EXTENSIVE RAIL AND OVERHEAD WIRE SYSTEMS. IN 2023 WE CONTINUED SIGNIFICANT PROJECTS TO ADDRESS THIS NEED, AND ALSO TO REPLACE UTILITY POLES AS NEEDED. 4.C. EDUCATIONAL AND EXHIBIT PROGRAMS EXPENSESVOLUNTEERS PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES THEREBY LIMITING EXPENSES REQUIRED ON A ROUTINE BASIS. A NEW SIGN PROGRAM IMPLEMENTED IN 2014 WAS FUNDED PRIMARILY WITH GRANTS. THE MAINE CAMPUS IS CURRENTLY BUILDING A NEW EXHIBIT INSIDE "TOWER C." A NEW BUS DISPLAY IS ALSO BEGAN CONSTRUCTION IN 2021 AND WILL BE COMPLETED IN 2024.