'Turnback Tuesday' highlights Derby-Ansonia trolley line

Turnback Tuesday visits Trolley Days.

The first run of the first electric car was in Ansonia on April 30, 1888. The next day, trolley service began between Derby and Ansonia with much excitement from the community.

The trolley was equipped with a motor “one-ender” located at one end of the car. The outgoing circuit ran through the overhead wire with the return current going through the rails.

The trolley line between Derby and Ansonia was the second system in the United States and the first in New England. Thank you to the efforts of James D. Kennedy who came here in 1887 and began construction.

The Trolley Days magazine was a recent donation from the R. A family. The image of the two trolleys came from the magazine.

Thanks goes to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.