Two of our maintenance volunteers, Ed (left) and Rod, used the cedar scraps from the electrical substation siding project to build these one-of-a-kind, quality-built bird feeders. If you would like to support the streetcar, please buy a bird feeder for $75. Message us for details, and thanks to everyone who has made donations and joined our team of volunteers… you are SO appreciated!
OPEN THIS WEEKEND!! Come on down and support our wonderful streetcar, starting this Friday, May 21st. Because of Covid, we are working on a reduced schedule, so the tram will be operational 7 days a week from 11 am till 3 pm (we will keep you updated if that changes as the summer progresses). Unfortunately there is no wheelchair service during Covid protocols, and pets, strollers, buggies and carts can’t be brought on board. Everyone over 5 years of age must wear a mask, and we are at 1/2 available seating to allow distancing. Finally, we are unable to make change so the ride is by donation, and because we are completely volunteer-driven and all funding is by donation and grants, we ask that you be generous! Thank you Nelsonites who love our living piece of history!!
Want to operate Nelson’s iconic Streetcar 23? Have skills that can help maintain the car and keep it on the rails? Nelson Electric Tramway needs volunteers. No experience required – let us show you how it’s done. You can find our application form HERE, or cut and paste this address into your browser: https://www.nelsonstreetcar.org/join-us/
Thanks to Michael Dill, NETS volunteer, for digitalizing this 1994 video of Streetcar #23. You can view it here, or copy and paste this URL: https://fb.watch/3k9sUQEzLJ/
Forty years ago Reid Henderson of the RDCK wrote to the City of Nelson that the body of streetcar #23 was available for sale, and wondered if there was interest in a restoration project. With a lot of help from the City of Nelson, the Chamber of Commerce, CP Rail, the Province of BC, West Kootenay Power (now Fortis BC) and many local businesses and individuals, over the next ten years the restoration of streetcar #23 was completed, the car barn built and tracks and electrical system installed.
Local dentist, Dr. Mike Culham, was involved almost from the beginning. He had a passion for trains and he was a natural choice for Chairman of the Restoration Committee. When this committee became Nelson Electric Tramway Society (NETS) in 1988, Mike became the Society’s inaugural President, a position he held for many years. Mike led the acquisition of the mechanical and electrical parts from around the world needed to make Streetcar 23 operational, the building of the tracks from Rotary Lakeside Park to the airport, building the car barn and recruiting and training volunteers, in short ensuring the success of NETS and creating such a delightful and interesting piece of working history right on our waterfront.
When operators pass their written and on-board tests, they are issued a number. Culham became Operator #1, meaning he was the first licensed operator to be qualified to operate the revived Streetcar 23 out of almost 200 volunteer drivers to date. He moved to Vancouver several years ago but still returned to Nelson every summer to operate the streetcar.
Sunday, August 16th, 2020 was Mike Culham’s last run. A group of dedicated NETS volunteers (including Reid Henderson, talk about full circle!) surprised Mike at the car barn at the end of his last shift, where he was presented with a piece of photographic art by Greg Osadchuk and donated by Jean Elliot, another long time volunteer and operator. Mike did say that he still might come back, so maybe this isn’t the end of an era after all?
Okay folks… here’s the news you’ve been waiting for!
Our Start Date is Monday July 6
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday 11 am to 2:30 pm Sat., Sun., Holidays 11 am to 4:30 pm
Fare by Donation or Annual Pass. No change given.
Annual Passes for Sale from Conductor Adult $25. Senior / 6-12 years $15. Family (max. 2 over 18) $50.
COVID-19 Precautions: • Maintain Social Distancing while waiting for streetcar • Bicycles, strollers, wagons, wheelchairs, etc. NOT accepted • Pets NOT accepted • Use provided Hand Sanitizer upon entry • Seats will be assigned. We are operating at 50% capacity (20 seats) • Children to remain seated. Sorry, no gong ringing.
We at NETS are so grateful to our local Rotary Club for their generous donation to assist in enhancing the access to our museum. The Walt Laurie Memorial Museum is located at the Nelson Electric Tramway Society’s car barn in Lakeside Rotary Park and plans are in place to build a ramp for easier access for those who use a wheelchair or scooter.
Photo L – R: Streetcar volunteers Ed Stockerl, Dave McMichael, Al Walker, Terry Thompson, Rotary President Tom Roy, Tina Coletti (Walt Laurie’s daughter), Gary Shroeder, Bill Drake (in streetcar), Norm Facchina and NETS President Jim Robertson
Photo Credit to Michael Dill
On Sunday, July 14, 2019, history was made in Nelson when, for the first time EVER, the streetcar was manned (hahahaha) by an all-woman team!! Pictured are Colleen and Lelainya, who drove the tram that day, and Lonnie was our museum volunteer!
