A glimpse inside Ol’ #115. With your support, this space will one day welcome visitors to sit, explore, and imagine the journeys of Sheridan’s past.
A Historic Treasure on the Move
Thanks to generous gifts from community donors like you, Sheridan Community Land Trust successfully moved the Ol’ #115 — Wyoming’s last surviving streetcar — to its new home at the Big Goose Natural Area on November 6, 2025.
This rare piece of Sheridan County history once carried passengers and freight between downtown Sheridan and Fort Mackenzie. A second streetcar connected Sheridan to the coal mining communities along the Tongue River.
Streetcars like the Ol’ #115 were more than just a means of transportation. In their day, miners, families, and schoolchildren relied on the streetcars as a lifeline. Today, it stands as a fragile but powerful link to the past.
Saving History, Together
In the fall of 2025, Sheridan Community Land Trust worked with the North Main Association to take ownership of the Ol’ #115 — ensuring that this rare piece of history will have a future. Volunteers and SCLT have stepped up over the past year to shield it from further decay — boarding windows, adding a tarp, stabilizing the frame, and carefully jacking it onto supports, all to buy time.
When the big day finally came, the community’s generosity made it possible to lift, load, and transport the Ol’ #115 safely to the Big Goose Natural Area, where it will be preserved as part of SCLT’s historic interpretation site along the Black Diamond Byway.
Their dedication has shown just how much this piece of history means, not only to Sheridan County but to anyone who values preserving the stories of everyday people and the communities they built.
The Next Stop: Building a Shelter
Now that the Ol’ #115 is safely at its new home, the next challenge is to build a protective shelter so restoration work can begin. This structure will shield the streetcar from the elements, allowing SCLT and volunteers to restore it to its former glory carefully.
To complete this next step, we need your help to raise $25,257 for materials and construction. Every dollar raised beyond this urgent need will go toward the restoration of Ol’ #115, so it can one day be displayed publicly — inspiring future generations to connect with the ingenuity, resilience, and history of the people who built Sheridan County.
Help Keep History On Track
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Donate: Your gift today keeps work to preserve and restore the Ol’ #115 on track. It will help build the protective shelter and with preservation costs. You can also donate materials like lumber, roofing, or hardware for the protective structure.
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Get Involved: Volunteer your time and skills for construction and restoration as we preserve and restore this one-of-a-kind piece of history.
- Spread the Word: Share this story with friends, family, and history lovers everywhere.
By working together, we can ensure that the Ol’ #115 rolls into the future as proudly as it once rolled down the tracks — carrying the history of Sheridan County with it.
Media Coverage
History: Sheridan’s Electric Street Cars by Cynthia Vannoy, Sheridan Media (11/8/25)
All Aboard: Wyoming’s Last Streetcar Finds Forever Home by Joseph Beaudet, Sheridan Press (11/8/25)
Sheridan’s Streetcar Ol’ #115 Gets a New Home by Cynthia Vannoy, Sheridan Media (11/7/25)
Volunteers have helped weatherize Ol’ #115. On November 6, 2025, it was safely moved to the SCLT Big Goose Natural Area thanks to generous gifts from community donors like you. Now, the real restoration can begin.
“This is a beloved and iconic artifact of our community. We have a rare chance to save it for future generations — not just to look at, but to help them experience the lives of the people who rode it.” ~ SCLT Recreation Program Manager Kevin Knapp.
Watch a video by Bruce Scigliano detailing the Ol’ #115’s Final Ride to the SCLT Big Goose Natural Area.
Volunteer to help restore Wyoming’s last electric streetcar!
SCLT is seeking volunteers to join the hands-on restoration of Streetcar #115, built in 1911 and once operated by the Sheridan Railway Company. Volunteers will assist in cleaning, repairing, and refinishing the car’s wooden and metal exterior so it can be safely displayed and celebrated for years to come.
Exterior Cleaning & Surface Prep Crew
Purpose: Prepare the car’s exterior for preservation and repainting.
Tasks include:
- Gently clean wood and metal surfaces using brushes and preservation-safe tools.
- Remove loose paint, flaking rust, and old debris from panels and hardware.
- Wash and lightly sand areas under supervision to ensure proper paint adhesion.
Skills/Requirements:
- Detail-oriented; comfortable with basic tools.
- Training provided on safe cleaning and prep techniques.
- Must wear gloves, dust mask, and eye protection (provided).
Commitment: Half-day or full-day work sessions.
Metalwork & Hardware Stabilization Crew
Purpose: Preserve and restore the car’s original hardware and metal components.
Tasks include:
- Clean and treat rusted bolts, fittings, couplers, and trim.
- Apply rust converter and primer to exposed metal surfaces.
- Assist with reinstalling cleaned or repaired parts.
Skills/Requirements:
- Comfortable using small hand tools and sanders.
- Experience with painting or light metalwork is a plus.
- Gloves, goggles, and a respirator (provided) are required for some tasks.
Commitment: Flexible scheduling during restoration weeks.
Exterior Wood Repair & Finishing Crew
Purpose: Repair, stabilize, and refinish the streetcar’s wooden body and trim.
Tasks include:
- Patch or replace damaged wooden panels or trim under the guidance of restoration leads.
- Sand, stain, and seal repaired areas to match original finishes.
- Prepare wood for priming and final painting.
Skills/Requirements:
- Basic carpentry or woodworking experience helpful.
- Attention to detail and patience with fragile materials.
- Must follow tool safety and preservation guidelines.
Commitment: Multi-day or project-based scheduling.
Painting & Detailing Crew
Purpose: Restore the historic appearance of Streetcar #115’s exterior.
Tasks include:
- Mask and prepare surfaces for primer and final paint.
- Apply historically accurate colors using brushes and rollers.
- Recreate original details such as lettering or trim lines based on reference photos.
Skills/Requirements:
- Steady hand and good attention to detail.
- Training provided on preservation-safe paint types and application methods.
- Respirators, gloves, and coveralls required (provided).
Commitment: Multi-day painting sessions; flexible scheduling.
Volunteer Commitment Options
- One-Day Workdays: Ideal for first-time volunteers helping with cleaning or prep.
- Project-Based Roles: Join the same crew across multiple sessions for deeper involvement.
- Flexible Scheduling: Weekday and weekend shifts available as weather allows.
Questions? Or to schedule a tour.
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