The next step in the restoration process of Jamestown Street Railway Trolley Car No. 93 is to find it a new home.

The trolley restoration project has been ongoing for 20 years and is nearing completion. However, a new, permanent location still needs to be determined. Bob Johnston, Jamestown Street Railway Trolley Car No. 93 restoration project founder, said he has been notified that the trolley needs to be moved soon from the east wing of the Jamestown Gateway Train Station. The east wing of the train station is slated to be a part of the National Comedy Center. As construction continues along West Second Street for the new national attraction dedicated to the art of comedy, Johnston said they need to find a new home for the trolley.

”We have been informed that our required departure date could be as early as the end of September,” Johnston said.

Johnston said fortunately the trolley car was allowed to stay at the train station while work continued on the former street rail car. However, with more progress being made on the center’s construction, the time has come to move the trolley. ”So it looks like we are back to ‘Save the Trolley’ again,” he said. ”Ideally we are looking for a permanent home, but for the time being we need a place to land for at least several months to get (it) into gentler weather. No. 93 is 28 feet long, close to 12 feet high and with its trailer wheels, about 10 feet wide. We estimate the weight to be about four tons.”

Johnston said they had hopes they would be able to place the trolley in the former railroad engine building, which is located west of the train station. In 2014, Lee Harkness, Jamestown Area Railway Heritage Center committee spokesperson, announced plans to renovate the former engine building. Earlier this year, the Jamestown Area Railway Heritage Center nonprofit entity was officially formed to raise money to restore the former engine building.

”While still a possibility, efforts to procure a lease have been delayed, with no definite timetable offered,” Johnson said. ”Up until recently, we were somewhat assured that there were a couple of options available should the engine house plans not work out. Unfortunately, those offers have not worked out.”

Johnson said they would be grateful to hear from anyone who may be able to offer location options for the trolley. Johnston can be reached by calling 338-5051.

The trolley car project was first started in 1996 when Johnston was discussing his love of local history with a friend, Sam Lucariello. Lucariello mentioned his parents, Mauro and Harriet Lucariello, had an old Jamestown trolley car they used as a hunting camp near Dewittville. The family donated it to Johnston and the trolley car was moved back to Jamestown.

For years, the trolley car sat in the city’s Parks Department garage before it was moved to the Jamestown Gateway Train Station in December 2013. Restoration work really started to move forward on the trolley car in 2014 with the assistance of Jim Mitchener, Jamestown Street Railway Trolley Car No. 93 restoration project skilled carpenter.

”National Train Day 2014 was the first public showing of No. 93 in all its ‘glory.’ Time ravaged and beaten, it elicited many a comment as to whether or not a restoration could be done. These were fighting words for Jim Mitchener. Longtime area resident, carpenter, craftsmen, boat and auto restorer. In May of 2014, Jim went to work,” Johnston said. ”Two plus years later, No. 93 is very close to being done. Many local businesses have provided materials and services toward the restoration, and many individuals from around the city, county and country have made contributions to both our endowment and non-endowment funds with the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.”

For more information, visit jamestowntrolley.org. Donations can be made through the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, either online by visiting crcfonline.org, or directly by specifically mentioning the trolley project on a check that can be mailed to the foundation at 418 Spring St., Jamestown, NY 14701.