10/12/2026
These 8mm movies were taken exactly 52 years ago today, October 12, 1974. That was a historic date, for it marked the first runs of the newly arrived trolleys from Portugal that have become Yakima's icon in much the same way as cable cars are San Francisco's icon. They have served faithfully for the past 52 years without a major overhaul. Those who rode them as a kid in the 1970s are now adults bringing their kids and even grandkids to experience a classic mode of travel from a bygone era.
Halloween trolleys are just around the corner, and Santa Claus will be here before you know it to the joy of literally thousands of Yakima children. Tickets for both events always sell out, so we have added a couple days to each one to accommodate more friends. You can buy tickets online and pick out the day and time you want to ride!
Meanwhile, enjoy these nostalgic movies of the beginnings of what saved the Yakima Valley Transportation Company railroad, to the point where it is now about to become a National Historic Landmark as the last intact early interurban railroad in America!
Thanks to Airailimages for providing the digitized copies of the original 8mm movies!
KJ
