Little Rock, Arkansas
Glendale, California
Tampa, Florida
Taroko Park, Taiwan
Portland, Oregon
Memphis, Tennessee
Glendale, California
Lowell, Massachusetts
Little Rock, Arkansas
Reconditioned Trolley
Mount Pleasant, Iowa
Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Denver, Colorado
Battery-Powered Trolley
Ybor City In Tampa, Florida
Lowell National Historical Park
Issaquah, Washington

Welcome to Gomaco Trolley Company

Gomaco Trolley Company, located in Ida Grove, Iowa, USA, is a manufacturer of authentic vintage trolley cars that match the precision and quality craftsmanship of yesterday while incorporating the state-of-the-art technology of today. Gomaco can provide you with trolley manufacturing and engineering consultation on restoration or renovation of existing trolley cars, or in the manufacturing of new trolley cars.

 

 

The Double E Hybrid Propulsion System
- A Green Solution For Your Public Transportation System

 

Double E Hybrid Propulsion SystemThe Double E system is dual powered with electric-over-electric, and Gomaco Trolley Company is introducing it on reconditioned Melbourne trolley #799. The trolley's power can be obtained from both the standard overhead power line or from the unique GTC battery-powered system.

-- Click here to read more about hybrid Melbourne #799 --

 

Overhead power collection devices can be the traditional pole or pantograph. The GTC battery-powered system will charge itself while the trolley is running on the overhead line. The trolley can switch between power systems on-the-go with new "powered poles" for raising and lowering the overhead pole or pantograph. If it isn't possible to install overhead wire for your line, power stations under the track can be installed to remotely transfer energy from a ground source to the stationary car's power collection unit.

The new battery pack offers consistent performance. It performs at the highest level no matter how much charge is left in the battery. Even after extended use, there are no voltage sags that you would normally find when using lead acid batteries.

The Double E system was created to be easily maintained. Trolley operators can look at their console to check the amount of energy in the car's battery pack. Consumption is shown through a zero to 10 bar graph, with a 10 indicating a fully-charged battery pack. The battery pack can be charged and balanced during an "overnight" charge in as little as three hour's time.

The technology of the Double E system also allows a laptop computer to interact with the battery system. The laptop provides the ability to monitor the health of each cell of the batteries in the pack. A log can be created of the battery pack's status while the trolley is in operation. This information allows technicians to troubleshoot and monitor the overall health of the battery pack.

You now have three choices to power your Gomaco trolley:

• By Overhead Line

• By Double E Hybrid Propulsion System

• By A Self-Contained, Battery-Powered System

 

 

 

 

State-of-the-Art K35G Controller Is Standard

 

K35G controllerThe trolley operator’s station is where old-time craftsmanship and the latest technology available merge together to create a station for the operator that is both easy and safe to operate. First of all, the station has been designed for excellent visibility inside and out of the trolley, while keeping all of the operating controls within easy reach for the operator. Gomaco trolleys can be equipped with a K35G IGBT (insulated gate bipolar transistor) controller and PLC (programmable logic controller) system management to control speed and monitor power consumption. It allows the cars to travel at any speed between zero to 35 miles per hour and it will maintain any speed for an indefinite amount of time. For example, if you want to creep the trolley car at 0.5 miles per hour along the entire route, it’s possible with the K35G. It includes a system diagnostics recording that can be used for troubleshooting analysis and documentation. And, with its GPS compatibility, the car location and speed can be tracked from rider kiosks or for dispatcher’s monitoring.

The braking system features an air-applied, pneumatic brake system with composite shoes and a 24-volt hydraulic brake pump. The battery-powered trolleys capture their regenerative energy for recharging its own batteries. Electromagnetic rail brakes are an added safety feature to allow emergency stops. Emergency stop buttons are located at different points. Also, for added safety, there is full, dead-man integration at both operator locations, so if for any reason the operator becomes incapacitated, the car automatically stops.

 

 

 

 

Video Presentation - "Step Back In Time" With Gomaco Trolley Company

 

This video profiles two of the first trolley projects: Lowell, Massachusetts, from 1982 through 1984; and Portland, Oregon, from 1990 to 1992. It was produced in 1993, and includes footage of their construction, and running the rails after completion.

Click the video below, and enjoy your ride on a Gomaco Trolley.

 

 

 

 

 

Debut Events For Gomaco Trolleys

 

Taroko Park Trolley - Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Taroko Park, Taiwan

The Taroko Park project had its grand opening on May 9, 2016, in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The Taroko Park shopping center and sports-themed amusement park has battery-powered, open-style trolley #ML666 transporting guests from Fountain Park to the Suzuka Circuit Park.

 

 

 

"Americana At Brand" Trolleys - Glendale, California

Glendale, California

The "Americana At Brand" project had its grand opening on May 1-2, 2008, in Glendale, California. The shopping and residential center has two open-style Gomaco trolleys, a battery-powered lead car, #1717, and an unpowered trailer car, named GiGi, to transport guests around the facilities.

 

 

 

Replica Birney Trolleys - Charlotte, North Carolina

Charlotte, North Carolina

Opening festivities were the weekend of October 16, 2004. The Charlotte Area Transit System debuted their three replica Birney trolleys, numbered #91, #92 and #93, which provide transportation along a 2.1 mile route in the Historic South End.

 

 

 

Replica Birney Trolleys - Little Rock, Arkansas

Little Rock, Arkansas

Their three replica Birney trolleys were debuted at a week-long celebration starting on November 1, 2004. The Central Arkansas Transit Authority runs their trolleys, #408, #409 and #410, on a 2.2 mile route connecting North Little Rock and Little Rock.

 

 

 

Replica Birney Trolleys - Tampa, Florida

Tampa, Florida

They had their grand opening for the TECO Streetcar line the weekend of October 19 and 20, 2002. Eight replica Birney trolleys, numbered #428 through #435, provided transportation through the YBOR historic district in Tampa during the premiere weekend.

 

 

 

Peter Witt Trolley - Mount Pleasant, Iowa

Mount Pleasant, Iowa

Peter Witt trolley #1945 had its debut during the Midwest Old Threshers' Reunion in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, over the Labor Day weekend 2002. Click here to learn more about reconditioned trolleys at Gomaco Trolley Company.

 

 

 

 

Gomaco Trolley Is Inspiration For 2007 White House Christmas Tree Ornament

 

Gomaco Trolley #1601 was the inspiration for an ornament which was a part of the 2007 official White House Christmas tree.

White House Ornament

Photo courtesy of the White House

Trolley #1601 is a 15-bench, open-style trolley, and represents the beginning of Gomaco Trolley Company. This car, and a second car #1602, were constructed for the Lowell National Historical Park in Lowell, Massachusetts, in 1984, and are authentic reproductions of the 1597-1600 series cars manufactured by J.G. Brill Company. A third enclosed car, #4131, joined the open-style cars in 1987.

"Holiday in the National Parks” was chosen as the theme for the 2007 White House Christmas tree, and its goal was to highlight the majesty, history, and diversity of the country’s 391 national parks. Lowell National Historical Park employee Ellen Frost designed and created the park’s holiday ornament, which was on display in the Blue Room in the White House. Frost worked with the park staff to select the appropriate imagery for the six-inch plastic ball. Using acrylic paints, she created two images of Lowell, with the trolley park on one side and Pawtucket Falls on the other side.

 

 

Gomaco Trolley Company logo

 

Gomaco Trolleys In The News

Ding! Ding! Ding! - Trolley is the right answer for historic urban core
Article courtesy of Roads & Bridges magazine; August 2012; St. Louis, Missouri; Reconditioned Peter Witt Trolleys
(PDF Format, 532 KB)

 

 

 

Download Gomaco Trolley Company PDFs

Gomaco Trolley Company brochure

Replica Birney Trolley brochure

Battery-Powered Trolley brochure

 

 

 

Trolley Calendars

Since 1984, Gomaco Trolley Company has produced an annual trolley calendar, showcasing Gomaco trolley projects. The current year is located at the top of the page. Click this link to experience the trolley calendar history.

 

 

 

Trolley Links

Visit trolley sites by organizations, cities and trolley enthusiasts.

 

 

 

E-Mail Us Your Photos!

If you have any Gomaco Trolley photos which you would like to have included on this web site, please send them to us. We will include them on the "Snapshots From The Road" page.

 

 

 

Gomaco Trolley Company
Open House

Gomaco Trolley Company hosted an Open House on June 22, 2001. We had more than 850 guests enjoy our tours and hospitality. Click here to see photos from the event.

 

 

 

Shop Day Or Night At The GOMACO Store For GOMACO & Gomaco Trolley Company Merchandise & Gifts.