Colorado Springs Vintage Homes Blog
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33 unique things to do in Colorado Springs — #2
Could this be the new light rail in Colorado Springs?
Come to the Roswell Trolley Museum
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The Light Rail is a sign of the future so say proponents of the system. With the rising price of fuel, greenhouse emissions and 
rush hour gridlock, many people are trying to find a better way. But is it new? One only has to take a trip to The Roswell Trolley Museum to realize history really does repeat itself.
Owned by The Pikes Peak Historical Street Railway Foundation, The Roswell Trolley Museum is like stepping back in time. Volunteers work on restoring these electric streetcars and have opened the site as a museum with the idea of one day having a fully operational system that runs from Colorado Springs to Manitou Springs. With the price of fuel right now, they may have a better chance than ever.
The main part of the museum stands in what was the roundhouse (a building with a turntable system used to store and turn the trains around during the heyday of railroads). It was used by the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad Company and was built in 1888. It supposedly had 16 stalls to house these trains, but only 12 can be verified. Inside the roundhouse, the restoration of 3 trolleys continues with many more to start. Years ago, the smoke from the coal stained the ceiling of the roundhouse and is still visible today (you can almost imagine the sounds and smells) as you walk through the works-in-progress. In fact, one of the barn doors (number 2) is an original from that era.
The homes and area surrounding the roundhouse was settled by the railroad men and became known as the town of Roswell. It was annexed by the city of Colorado Springs in 1970. Check out the pretty park nearby and take a stroll along the hiking trail.
The original streetcar system was languishing when Winfield Scott Stratton put a big chunk of his own money into upgrading it, extending it and maintaining the system. The streetcars finally stopped running in 1932 due to the depression, when the bus service became the main mode of transport and many of these fine machines where sold off for a mere $50 each.
An interesting story emerges when some Colorado College students decided that the last streetcar on the last day of service should have a wonderful home. These students hijacked the streetcar on April 30, 1932 and removed the lone passenger and the motorman. It was lifted from the tracks and then pushed on the asphalt street across Uintah and down Tejon towards what they hoped would be its new home in front of Palmer Hall (built there many years ago to prevent the streetcar from running up and down the Colorado College area of Tejon). However, the police were notified of the situation but the students were warned of the incoming officers. They fled the scene and all the police found was a lonely trolley car sitting in the middle of Tejon about a block from where it was.
Palmer Hall never got its trolley in front and the streetcars were no more. Some became private residences or sold to other towns and cities. Until a few years ago, one of these was located on W. St. Elmo. They called her Lizzy and former tenants have come to visit. There was the young bride and mother who called her Lizzy. She has very fond memories of the place. Another was a woman who’s family purchased the trolley in 1932 and she grew up there. A man who’s Grandfather ran the train was brought to tears at the sight of her, remembering the wonderful stories he told of her. Today, she sits out back with numerous others waiting on her new awakening after refurbishing. While you’re there, take a look out there and see what almost resembles a graveyard for these fine trains (just imagine what it’ll be like when they’re all completed right down to the new woodwork and re-furbished seats).
Don’t forget to take a ride on the 1947 car from Philadelphia on the 600 ft test track. It even includes original advertisements on the walls. Outside, the museum is working on two cars right now. One is a caboose and you might even be able to go inside and take a peek. Notice the little stove used to keep warm. The other is from the 1930’s and its an original dining car. It was found in very bad shape and pigeons had taken roost in her. This is mostly cleaned up now and they soon hope to have her back to her original grandeur and maybe even cook a meal again. During that era, everything was homemade and there’s even an original menu for you to look through.
Check out all the historical pictures from the era located in a car sitting next to the roundhouse where if you’re lucky you’ll run into the owner of most of the goodies. He can tell you amazing stories and lots of trivia. Did you know that the paint used for Car #59 comes from England as its not produced in the US. Its highly toxic, so the painters must wear special suits to apply it. Before starting on a project, a lot of research goes into it; thereby, getting as close as possible to the original design. Some of these cars have little left as they were mostly abandoned when the buses came along.
If you visit Colorado Springs in the summer; try for the morning as there is no air conditioning and it does get quite warm in there. Don’t forget to check out the souvenir shop on your way out the door, back to the reality of the 2000’s. So; maybe, you too can someday go back to that time and save a bundle on fuel. With lots of work from these fine volunteers its possible. Why do they do the restoration? Out of love of course, but it is expensive; so, if you feel inclined, you could make a donation to the cause and one day soon we could all be riding in style in an old trolley that served so many.
The Roswell Trolley Barn is located at 2233 Steel Dr in Colorado Springs and its open all year on Saturdays from 10-4 when most of the volunteers are there. However, if someone is there and you ask nicely they may let you take a tour.
Tell us your story about a trolley in your area…did you fall in love,ride it to school etc.
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Kathy (719-287-1049) KTorline@msn.com
