Excelsior, MN
Excelsior Streetcar Line
Trip at a Glance
Source checked 2026-08-23- TypeVolunteer-operated heritage streetcar demonstration line
- LocationExcelsior, MN
- UpcomingSat, Sep 26
- Typical rideAbout 15 minutes, with continuous operation and about a 15-minute wait if a car has just departed
- AccessibilityHistoric cars have steps and doors too narrow for wheelchairs. Crews may help partially ambulatory riders to the extent possible
- ReservationsNot required for regular rides or most specials; Story Time and Trolleyween-type programs require advance tickets when listed
About Excelsior Streetcar Line
Excelsior Streetcar Line is one of two volunteer-operated demonstration railways of the Minnesota Streetcar Museum. Board at the Water Street ticket booth and platform next to the Excelsior Library, using 337 Water Street for GPS. A historic car travels about half a mile on the former Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway right-of-way and stops at the carbarn, where riders may see historical photographs, other streetcars, and restoration work before returning downtown. Rides take about 15 minutes and normally run continuously during published hours. The complete remaining 2026 calendar includes late-August and September regular service plus Labor Day, Apple Days, Halloween programs, and a holiday listing that still contains a weekday-date contradiction. Because the cars are restored artifacts, rain, mechanical problems, staffing, or other issues can alter or cancel service.
Plan an Excelsior Streetcar Visit
Choose the visit that fits your groupFirst-time riders, families, transit historians, downtown visitors, and travelers who prefer no-reservation service
Take the regular 15-minute ride
Use a remaining Saturday, Sunday, or Farmers Market Thursday window for the simplest walk-up visit, then allow about 15 minutes if a car has just departed.
Railfans, preservation learners, photographers, families, and visitors interested in restoration work
Explore the carbarn stop
Stay with the trip to see the line's historical photo galleries, other cars, and work in progress, while accepting that the exact activity varies.
Holiday travelers, Halloween visitors, repeat riders, families, and people coordinating with downtown events
Choose a special operating day
Labor Day and Apple Days use regular fares; Witches Night Out and Trick or Treat the Street add downtown context; Trolleyween requires a ticket.
Wheelchair users, partially ambulatory riders, caregivers, group leaders, and access-dependent travelers
Plan around historic-car access
Treat the steps and narrow doors as a real boarding barrier, and contact the museum before travel if the trip depends on crew assistance or another accommodation.
Rail-history travelers, local-history learners, walking-tour users, and visitors building a compact Water Street itinerary
Add the depot museum
The independent Excelsior Museum occupies the former depot next to the platform and adds Lake Minnetonka transportation history, but its own published hours conflict and require a call before a time-sensitive visit.
Lake Minnetonka visitors, shoppers, walkers, mixed-interest groups, and day-trip planners
Use downtown Excelsior as the extension
After the ride, continue along Water Street and the lakefront without assuming the streetcar fare includes any independent shop, restaurant, museum, trail, or waterfront service.
Upcoming Events
Official schedule information
2026 special-event calendar
Schedule information was checked against the linked official source. Dates, availability, and operating conditions can change. Check the live official calendar ↗
Plan Your Visit
- ParkingTwo free city lots and limited free street parking serve the line; posted restrictions and day-of availability control
- AccessibilityHistoric cars have steps and doors too narrow for wheelchairs. Crews may help partially ambulatory riders to the extent possible
- WeatherStreetcars typically do not operate in rain; mechanical problems or other issues may also alter or cancel service
- RestroomsThe museum says restrooms are available locally but does not publish the exact location or access details
- Current StatusThe 2026 season is active; this guide retains every safely verified public occurrence remaining after the August 23 cutoff
- BoardingWater Street ticket booth and platform beside the Excelsior Library; use 337 Water Street, Excelsior, MN 55331 for GPS
- RouteAbout one-half mile on the former Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway right-of-way between downtown and the carbarn
- Ride LengthAbout 15 minutes, with continuous operation and about a 15-minute wait if a car has just departed
- Regular Fare$3 per person for one ride; children age 3 and under free; $7 day pass; $60 family season pass
- PaymentVisa, Mastercard, Discover, and personal checks are listed. The published no-cash restriction names Como-Harriet only; ask Excelsior if cash matters
- ReservationsNot required for regular rides or most specials; Story Time and Trolleyween-type programs require advance tickets when listed
- Disability ContactCall 952-922-1096, email info@trolleyride.org, or use the official contact form before an access-dependent trip; the phone is independently published by Minnesota Digital Library and Minnesota Historical Society
- CarbarnThe ride stops for historical photo galleries, other streetcars, and work in progress; exact access and activity vary
- TimezoneAll published times are local Central Time
Find the Depot
The Trains
The official roster currently names Duluth Street Railway No. 265 as an Excelsior operating car. It was built by Twin City Rapid Transit at Snelling Shops in December 1915 as No. 1791, sold to Duluth in 1916, renumbered 265, retired in 1939, recovered from cabin use, and returned to operation after restoration in 1982. Duluth No. 78 was built by LaClede in 1893, restored with substantial replacement material, and moved to Excelsior for the line's 1999 opening. TCRT No. 1239 formerly ran at Excelsior but moved to Como-Harriet in 2019 for truck and cosmetic work when No. 265 replaced it. Winona No. 10 and unrestored Mesaba No. 10 also have Excelsior carbarn histories, but roster or restoration status does not guarantee current passenger assignment. Check day-of conditions rather than traveling for one named car.
History
Preservationists formed Minnesota Transportation Museum around the effort to save TCRT No. 1300.
Duluth No. 78 returned to operation after extensive restoration and replication work.
The Excelsior Streetcar Line opened on the former Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway right-of-way.
Museum members established the present Minnesota Streetcar Museum as an independent organization.
Duluth No. 265 replaced TCRT No. 1239 at Excelsior while 1239 moved to Como-Harriet for major work.
See full history
The preservation organization began in 1962 as the Minnesota Transportation Museum, initially formed to save TCRT No. 1300. The present Excelsior line opened in 1999 to recreate part of the historic link between streetcar and Lake Minnetonka travel. Its half-mile track uses the former Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway right-of-way, now county-owned and shared with a trail, rather than the original streetcar route on Water Street and Lake Avenue. A four-space carbarn supports storage, maintenance, restoration, and interpretation. In December 2004, members voted to separate the traction and steamboat divisions; the traction operation became today's independent Minnesota Streetcar Museum. The line remains a working museum rather than fixed amusement-ride infrastructure, so authentic equipment and volunteer operation shape every visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I board the Excelsior Streetcar Line?
Board at the Water Street ticket booth and platform next to the Excelsior Library. Use 337 Water Street, Excelsior, MN 55331 for GPS.
How long is the ride?
About 15 minutes. Cars normally run continuously, so the wait is about 15 minutes if you just miss a departure.
How much is a regular ride?
The published regular fare is $3 per person, with children age 3 and under free. The museum also lists a $7 day pass and $60 family season pass.
Do I need a reservation?
No for regular service and most special days. Trolleyween, Story Time, and other named ticketed programs require advance tickets when listed.
Can I pay cash at Excelsior?
The fares page says only that Como-Harriet does not accept cash. It lists cards and personal checks for the museum. Ask Excelsior directly if cash payment matters to your visit.
Is the streetcar wheelchair-accessible?
No. The historic cars have steps and doors too narrow for wheelchairs. Crews may assist partially ambulatory riders to the extent possible; contact the museum before travel about a specific need.
Does the line operate in rain?
Typically not. The museum also warns that mechanical problems or other issues can alter or cancel service.
Which streetcar will operate?
Do not assume a specific car. The current roster names Duluth No. 265 for Excelsior and documents No. 78's line history, but day-of equipment can change.
What is the carbarn stop?
The car pauses so passengers can see historical photo galleries, other streetcars, and restoration work. Exact cars and work activity vary.
Is the museum next to the platform part of the streetcar museum?
No. Excelsior Museum is an independently operated local-history museum in the former depot. It has separate hours and access details.
When is Jingle Bells Trolley?
The event page lists November 28 and 29, noon-4 p.m., but calls them Friday and Saturday even though those 2026 dates fall Saturday and Sunday. Confirm the intended year and days directly before planning.
Sources & Verification
Source-checked August 23, 2026. This free profile has not yet been claimed or confirmed by the operator.
- Official Excelsior line page for route, carbarn stop, boarding point, parking, and access statement
- Official 2026 regular schedule, boarding directions, rain caveat, and mechanical warning
- Official 2026 Excelsior special events, fares, times, ticket rules, and unresolved holiday day-date conflict
- Official regular fares, passes, payment methods, and line-specific cash statement
- Official ride FAQ for duration, continuous operation, reservations, parking, payment, access, and restrooms
- Official rolling-stock roster for current Excelsior assignment and individual car histories
- Official museum history for organization, Excelsior construction, right-of-way, carbarn, line opening, and equipment moves
- Official current email, postal address, charter route, and web form; no phone displayed on this page
- Minnesota Digital Library organization record independently publishing the museum phone and current email
- Minnesota Historical Society directory independently publishing the Excelsior line address, museum phone, and email
- Official adjacent Excelsior Museum identity, address, free admission, and current hours statement
- Exact-line Duluth No. 78 photograph and CC BY 2.5 record
- Adjacent former-depot photograph and CC BY-SA 4.0 record
- Duluth No. 265 historical photograph and public-domain record
- Historic Lake Minnetonka streetcar at Excelsior and public-domain collection record
