History in the Making
The Independence & Monmouth Railroad Company, once called the nation’s shortest railroad, was founded in 1889 by ten local businessmen. Its first trip in 1890 didn’t go smoothly—the small steam engine stalled on Beeler Hill, and passengers had to get out and push the train. The railroad later carried passengers to Airlie and Dallas using Southern Pacific tracks, but service ended in June 1917.
In 2022, Monmouth and Independence launched a rubber-wheeled trolley service along a similar route. Operating since April 2022, the service has provided about 120,000 rides each year between the two communities.
Trolley Sneak Peak Day November 21st, 2022
The trolley is low-emission, is used for about 250-300 miles of travel each service day. A hybrid gas-electric vehicle is used for the service
The service is provided with a trolley replica vehicles that can transport 14 seated passengers plus 1 wheelchair passenger, or a fold-down seat for 2 more passengers (if no wheelchair is present).
Three trolley vehicles were purchased from Hometown Trolley to operate the service. Two vehicles provide service each service day and the third vehicle serves as spare to allow for rotation of vehicles in and out of service and to allow preventative maintenance on all vehicles.
Vehicles are equipped with a fold-out ramp to load wheelchairs and passengers with mobility aids, and tie-downs are available to secure the passenger’s wheelchair.
