This is Iowa: Trolley expert reminisces on the nostalgia of Des Moines’ streetcars

Earl Short was never the same after he saw a Des Moines streetcar.From toddler to teenager, he took the trolley for transportation. Short became so enthusiastic about them because, for nearly 40 years, his dad Imon was a streetcar operator.Streetcars took passengers on 16 separate lines to 27 different destinations. Short says the fare was only 5 cents!In 1951, Des Moines streetcars ran for the last time."But the nostalgia of the streetcar just kept living," Short said.Short puts on roughly 20 'trolley talks' every year. In 2017, he started raising money for the new streetcar monument in Des Moines. He also helped historians settle on the site, the old Waveland Turnaround."I don't want to see that destroyed. That's a valuable piece of history," Short said.You can view more This Is Iowa stories here.

DES MOINES, Iowa —

Earl Short was never the same after he saw a Des Moines streetcar.

From toddler to teenager, he took the trolley for transportation. Short became so enthusiastic about them because, for nearly 40 years, his dad Imon was a streetcar operator.

Streetcars took passengers on 16 separate lines to 27 different destinations. Short says the fare was only 5 cents!

In 1951, Des Moines streetcars ran for the last time.

"But the nostalgia of the streetcar just kept living," Short said.

Short puts on roughly 20 'trolley talks' every year. In 2017, he started raising money for the new streetcar monument in Des Moines. He also helped historians settle on the site, the old Waveland Turnaround.

"I don't want to see that destroyed. That's a valuable piece of history," Short said.

You can view more This Is Iowa stories here.

This is Iowa: Trolley expert reminisces on the nostalgia of Des Moines’ streetcars

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