National Capital Trolley Museum

The National Capital Trolley Museum preserves and interprets the heritage of electric street and interurban railways for the Nation’s Capital and environs for the benefit of present and future generations while supplementing its collections with significant national and international objects to enhance its interpretive programs.

The National Capital Trolley Museum is a volunteer-driven, nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and sharing the story of electric street railways in the Washington, DC region and beyond. Located in Northwest Branch Park in Montgomery County, Maryland, the museum operates as both a working transportation museum and an educational resource for the community.

National Capital Trolley Museum – Community Overview

• A volunteer-driven nonprofit museum preserving and operating historic Washington, DC-area streetcars
• A living history experience, where visitors ride authentic electric streetcars in a forested park setting
• Located in Northwest Branch Park in Montgomery County, MD

Who We Serve

• Families and general public seeking affordable, hands-on educational experiences
• School groups exploring history, engineering, and STEAM topics
• Transit enthusiasts and researchers interested in historic transportation systems
• Volunteers who maintain, restore, and operate the museum
• Sponsors and community partners supporting education and preservation

Core Values

• Preservation of historic streetcars, artifacts, and transit history
• Education through immersive, experiential learning
• Public access and community engagement
• Volunteerism as the foundation of operations
• Authentic experiences through operating historic rail vehicles

Why It Matters

• Preserves the story of how streetcars shaped the growth of the Washington region
• Connects transportation history to modern issues like mobility, equity, and urban development
• Inspires interest in history, engineering, and public service careers
• Provides a unique cultural and educational resource for the community

Looking Ahead

• Expanding STEAM education programming
• Growing public events like Live at the Loop
• Strengthening archives and research capacity
• Building deeper community and corporate partnerships
• Enhancing long-term sustainability and visitor experience