Fort Collins, CO
Fort Collins Municipal Railway
4.8· 74 Google reviews
At a Glance
Source checked 2026-08-25- TypeSeasonal Birney heritage streetcar
- LocationFort Collins, CO
- Rating4.8 ★74 Google reviews
- UpcomingSat, Aug 29
About Fort Collins Municipal Railway
Fort Collins Municipal Railway is a volunteer-operated living-history streetcar that links City Park with the downtown edge along 1.5 miles of restored track. Regular rides use original Fort Collins Birney cars, turning a simple trip along Mountain Avenue into a working lesson in early electric public transportation.
Build a City Park-to-Old Town Trolley Outing
Choose the visit that fits your groupFirst-time riders and families
Start at the City Park depot
Board where card payments are accepted, check the day's operating car, and use the depot as the simplest round-trip base.
Transit-history and architecture visitors
Ride the Mountain Avenue median
Watch the Birney car share a tree-lined historic corridor with neighborhood streets and purpose-built trolley signals.
Half-day and full-day planners
Hop off for Old Town
Leave at Howes Street, then walk roughly half a mile to Old Town Square, historic storefronts, public art, food, and independent shops.
Visitors with mobility devices, strollers, or boarding questions
Plan a mobility conversation
The preserved cars have historic steps and compact interiors; contact the society before traveling when lifting, boarding, or aisle clearance is a concern.
Groups, classrooms, and celebrations
Consider a private charter
Separate April-October charters can make two 1.5-mile runs in an hour, subject to weather, crew, and regular-service exclusions.
Upcoming Events
Complete official date check
2026 special-event calendar
The official page publishes service from May 2 through September 27, 2026 on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays, noon-5 p.m., weather permitting. The remaining dates were expanded from that explicit rule; Labor Day is the only remaining federal holiday inside the published range. The stale December 2025 open house was excluded because it offered no rides, and no unannounced 2026 holiday event was inferred. Check the live official calendar ↗
Plan Your Visit
- 2026 seasonMay 2-September 27 on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays, weather permitting
- HoursNoon-5 p.m.; last City Park departure at 4:30 p.m.
- FrequencyEvery 30 minutes from City Park toward Old Town and back
- Fare$2 adults; $1 seniors and children; free under age 3
- PaymentCash, credit, and debit at City Park depot; cash preferred at the three street stops
- BoardingCity Park depot plus Shields, Loomis, and Howes stops on Mountain Avenue
- Ride formatAbout 1.5 miles each way on a historic streetcar; riders may board or leave at any listed stop
- RulesNo food or drink; working service animals only
- AccessibilityHistoric steps and narrow aisles require advance planning; the official operating manual says wheelchairs and strollers need able-bodied lifting help and cannot block aisles
- WeatherService is explicitly weather permitting; recheck before driving
Find the Depot
The Trains
The society's operating agreement covers original Fort Collins Birney Safety Cars 21 and 25. Car 21 was built by American Car Company in 1919 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places; Car 25 returned to Fort Collins for restoration after earlier service here. Which car runs can vary with maintenance, staffing, weather, and operating needs.
History
The Denver and Interurban opened electric streetcar service in Fort Collins.
Fort Collins bought the railway and placed new Birney Safety Cars 20-23 in service.
The municipal system ended regular service after becoming the country's last all-Birney streetcar operation.
A proposed cosmetic repair of Car 21 grew into a complete restoration effort.
The Fort Collins Municipal Railway Society formed as a nonprofit volunteer organization.
Car 21 and the restored line returned to public service; Car 21 entered the National Register.
Original Fort Collins Birney Car 25 returned to the city for restoration.
See full history
Electric streetcar service began in Fort Collins in 1907. The city purchased the railway in 1919 and introduced Birney Safety Cars, operating them until the system closed in 1951. Volunteers formed the Fort Collins Municipal Railway Society in 1980, restored Car 21 and the surviving Mountain Avenue line, and returned public heritage service in 1984. The society now operates Cars 21 and 25 with the City.
Around the Depot
Old Town Square is the natural downtown continuation of the ride. From the Howes Street terminal, walk roughly half a mile to the pedestrian plaza, visitor center, historic district, enhanced alleys, public art, independent shops, and food; return before the last westbound trolley if City Park is your base.
Getting There & Staying Nearby
Optional trip extras from our travel partners.
Rent a Car
Compare the attraction location with your airport or lodging before deciding whether a rental car fits the trip.
Compare rentals on Discover Cars →Bookings made through this link support usatrainrides at no extra cost to you.
Tours & Activities near Fort Collins
Tours
Guided tours, day trips, and things to do around the area, bookable in advance through Viator.
Browse nearby tours →Bookings made through this link support usatrainrides at no extra cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Fort Collins trolley run in 2026?
The published season is May 2 through September 27 on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays, noon-5 p.m., weather permitting.
How often does the trolley depart?
Service is scheduled every 30 minutes. The last trolley leaves City Park at 4:30 p.m.
How much does it cost?
The regular fare is $2 for adults, $1 for seniors and children, and free for children under age 3.
Do I need an advance ticket?
No advance ticket is advertised for regular rides. Pay at City Park by cash or card; cash is preferred at the Shields, Loomis, and Howes street stops.
Where can I board?
Board at the City Park trolley depot at 1501 W Oak St or at the designated Shields, Loomis, and Howes stops along Mountain Avenue.
Is the historic trolley wheelchair accessible?
The cars retain historic steps and narrow interiors. The society's operating manual says wheelchairs and strollers require able-bodied help for lifting and may not block aisles, so contact the society before traveling for the current setup.
Can I bring food or a pet?
No food or drink is permitted. The public schedule allows working service animals only.
Can I visit Old Town during the ride?
Yes. Leave at Howes Street and walk roughly half a mile to Old Town Square, but track the final return departure if your vehicle is at City Park.
Sources & Verification
Source-checked August 25, 2026. This free profile has not yet been claimed or confirmed by the operator.
- Official 2026 schedule, fares, stops, payment, rules, address, and contact
- Official organization, mission, restored line, cars, and volunteer-operation overview
- Official railway and Birney-car history
- Official charter route, capacity, price, and seasonal availability
- Official operating manual for boarding and onboard accessibility limits
- National Register nomination for Birney Safety Streetcar No. 21
- Official tourism guide linking the Birney trolley with Old Town
- Wikimedia Commons exact reusable image pages