In 2024 the MBTA donated an 8TM trackmobile to us. This machine can operate on its rubber tires on the ground or its steel wheels on track. It is something that we've wanted to own for a while, to allow us to move our caboose and other rolling stock around as needed. In our yard a trackmobile has an advantage over a locomotive: to get from one end of a car to the other, a locomotive needs to use a "run around track", since a locomotive has to stay on the rails. Our yard does not have a run around track. A trackmobile can get off the tracks, drive around to the other end of the car, and get back on the tracks.

Trackmobiles (sometimes called "car movers") also have an ingenious coupling system. The coupler can be raised and lowered hydraulically, essentially trying to lift the car it is moving. The effect is that it transfers some of the weight from the car to the TM, improving traction of the steel wheels on the steel rails.

John is working on some repairs to the trackmobile, but we hope to be able to provide rides in our caboose with the trackmobile in the future!

If you look closely you can see the rail wheels on the ground in the lower left of the picture. The TM was driven here on its rubber tires and lowered onto the ground to park.

Here is the trackmobile moving our caboose. It was driven onto the track on its rubber tires, and then the rubber tires were raised, lowering the steel wheels onto the rails.

Movie of Trackmobile on its first trip, on the House Track moving the caboose for Moonlight Magic 2024.

Another Movie of Trackmobile on its first trip, on the House Track moving the caboose for Moonlight Magic 2024.

Yet another Movie of Trackmobile on its first trip, on the House Track moving the caboose for Moonlight Magic 2024.

Then the trailer left and we built a ramp to roll the TM down onto the ground.

John quickly got it running and Nash was able to drive it to park it out of the way.

The Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum exists due to the generosity of members, visitors and friends.  Tickets cover about one-third of our operating costs.  Donations are tax-deductible, the museum is a 501(c)(3) organization, run entirely by volunteers. Our Tax ID is 04-3133373. Feel free to research our operation at Guidestar.org.

To make a financial donation, please send a check made out to "SFTM", to:

Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum
PO BOX 272
14 Depot Street
Shelburne Falls, MA 01370

If you wish you may designate your donation for a specific SFTM project in the memo line of your check:
General Fund, Car Barn Extension, "Berkshire Hills" Parlor Trolley, MBTA PCC Cars, B&M Box Car, MBTA Line Car 3283, CV Caboose 4015 or Volunteer Appreciation.
The General Fund is available for us to use to cover our costs of operation (insurance, electricity, etc.) or, if we have enough, we can transfer it to one of the other project funds.

After you click the "Donate" button below you may designate your donation for a specific SFTM project:
General Fund, Car Barn Extension, "Berkshire Hills" Parlor Trolley, MBTA PCC Cars, B&M Box Car, MBTA Line Car 3283, CV Caboose 4015 or Volunteer Appreciation.
The General Fund is available for us to use to cover our costs of operation (insurance, electricity, etc.) or, if we have enough, we can transfer it to one of the other project funds.

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