Homefront Street Cars

The National Capital Trolley Museum commemorates Memorial Day with a special exhibit, Homefront Street Cars, and presentation of two World War II era films produced by transit companies from May 28th to 30th.

Ken Rucker, Museum Director of Administration, explains, “The challenges that total war offered transit companies across the Nation were enormous.  Suddenly, rationing of gasoline and rubber made use of private automobiles impossible for many citizens while the demand for labor in war related industries grew rapidly.  Particularly in Washington, D.C., employment growth altered its culture and spawned its phenomenal growth.  Native Washingtonians and newcomers packed the street cars and buses of the Capital Transit Company, as did war workers elsewhere.” The special exhibit, Homefront Street Cars, recalls the impact of the War on the men and women of the Capital Transit Company who supported the efforts of the armed forces with their labor.  Trying to meet passenger demand with limited resources, the Company produced Tilley the Trolley and Billy the Bus to encourage patrons to use its services effectively.  Kansas City Public Service created Ten Seconds to Go to persuade its employees to improve their work performance during the national emergency.  During Memorial Day Weekend, Museum visitors may step back to the homefront with these films: Tilley the Trolley and Billy the Bus shown at 12:50 p.m. and 2:10 p.m.; Ten Seconds to Go shown at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.