Trolley
History
Construction of the Frederick and Middletown Railroad began in 1894 and was completed in 1896. The first trolley ventured over Braddock Mountain in October 1896. Appreciating what this marvelous new electric trolley system meant to Middletown, several farmers near Myersville, a mere six miles to the north, organized an effort to extend the rail line to their town.
The vision of these farmers became a reality, and on October 8, 1898 the first trolley entered the quiet, sleepy village of Myersville. Once the trolley had extended to Myersville, Hagerstown businessmen realized its value and initiated efforts to extend the line to their town. Railway owners (later to be known as Potomac Edison, suppliers of electricity that expanded outward from the trolley routes) soon began construction, and the line to Hagerstown was completed six years later in 1904.
Enter Trolley Car 150: In 1923, Potomac Edison purchased and modified four cars (150-153) as World War I surplus items. The cars were placed into service over the eighty-seven and a half miles of rail lines.
More than half a century later, car number 150 has been renovated by Mr. Donald Easterday, and is yearly displayed at the Myersville Trolley Festival grounds. Car number 150 was built in 1918 by the Southern Railway company in South Carolina. The historic car originally served Camp Jackson during World War I. Number 150 transported troops to the base after their return from Europe.
At twenty-three tons, the forty-four foot long trolley carried forty-four passengers. Powered by four Westinghouse 50 horse powered, 660 volt DC electric motors, its top speed was about twenty miles per hour on level ground, less uphill, and much greater downhill!
On its many trips from Hagerstown, Car 150 traveled over South Mountain, and down the hills through today's festival grounds, where it now rests. Car 150 climbed and descended 3,000 feet on each of its journeys between Frederick and Hagerstown, traveling each time through Middletown and over Braddock Mountain, some eight miles east of Myersville.
The Myersville Lions Club and local residents invite you to come and we'll share our rich history of the Hagerstown and Frederick Railway, and our beautifully restored Car Number 150.
Join us to celebrate Myersville's 15th Annual Trolley Festival and Bluegrass Competition!