Where: Excelsior Streetcar Line, on Water Street between Third and George streets or at Old Excelsior Road near Minnetonka Boulevard.
When: Thursdays 2-6 p.m.; Saturdays 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sundays/holidays 1-4 p.m. through Sept. 10. Thursday rides will continue through Oct. 25.
Fare: $2. Children four and under are free.
For more information: Call 952-922-1096 or visit www.trolleyride.org.
Story and photos by Sol Lieberman | Reporter
"Cars have never been exciting to me," said Bob Johnson, a Minnesota Streetcar Museum volunteer. "There's just something about rails."
Resting on the rails between Water Street and Old Excelsior Boulevard is Streetcar No. 1239, which Johnson has affectionately dubbed "big banana," and this Thursday, July 19 is big banana's big day.
From 2-6 p.m. the Excelsior Line museum volunteers along with Mayor Nick Ruehl and members of the community will celebrate Streetcar No. 1239's 100th birthday. The celebration includes free tours, trolley rides and cake to commemorate the occasion.
Streetcar No. 1239 was built in Minneapolis in 1907 and it ran until 1953 when, like so many other streetcars, the body of big banana was sold unceremoniously to make way for buses, studebakers and taxi cabs.
But in 1988, Streetcar No. 1239 was rediscovered serving as a private lake cabin, according to museum information.
After purchase and refurbishment, the trolley returned to emeritus service on the Excelsior Line in 2004, and Johnson, the assistant superintendent of the Excelsior Streetcar Line, is proud to lead tours from the motorman's coach.
"We're a moving culture. We're travellers and explorers. These streetcars give us a better appreciation of the cultural and technological changes that have helped us reach our goals," said Johnson, whose passion and respect for the trolley tradition is ever-present.
If you can't make it on the 19th, be sure to catch a ride on big banana before the tour-season ends in October.
If you're lucky enough to get Johnson as your guide, listen close - he tells a great story.
