Help Wanted: Trolley Car Operators

Have you ever wanted to be at the wheel of an important piece of shoreline history? Well, the  will be giving its annual trolley car operator training course in February and March.

"This is your opportunity to join the ranks of the operating department of the Shore Line Trolley Museum," Wayne Sandford, the museum's director said. "Being an operator is challenging but rewarding work."

And no prior experience is required. The training course will provide complete "rails-up, hands-on" instruction in the safe and proper operation of a trolley car and how to interact with visitors.

Volunteers From All Walks

Volunteer operators come from all walks of life and work varied schedules, Sandford said.

"Some contribute dozens of days each year, others just a few, but either way the net contribution to the museum is significant, as can be the benefit to you as you learn new skills and meet new and interesting people," he said.

Training Information

To qualify as an operator, you must be at least 18 years old (those who will turn 18 during 2012 are also eligible to take the course) and successfully pass the training course, the written rules test and the practical road examination.

Training dates are Feb. 25, March 3, March 10, March 17 and March 24, with the final exam on March 24. Each day of training runs from 9:30 a.m. to about 5 p.m. 

There is a $50 training fee for members. And a $70 fee for non-members, which includes a first year of membership at the museum. The course fee also includes which a personalized “Operator Conductor” name tag, a solid brass hat badge engraved with your pass number and all educational materials.

'Smoothly and Accurately"

Sandford said, as daunting as it may seem, by the conclusion of the course trainees will be able to start and stop a trolley car "smoothly and accurately."

"You'll be able to position 20 tons of wood and steel within a few inches of a similarly massive object. You'll understand switches, overhead wires, signals and the railway rulebook," Sandford said. "And you'll be able to guide and interact with a group of people and make an enjoyable presentation on the history of the trolley and the impact it had on every day living."

For those interested in taking the course or for more information: write to Training Course, Shore Line Trolley Museum, 17 River St, East Haven CT 06512; call (203)-467-6927 or email office@shorelinetrolley.org.