The communications manager for the City of Texarkana, Texas, recounts the collaborative restoration of the new downtown trolley
By Brooke Stone

The next time you’re in downtown Texarkana, you may notice something that seems like it rolled straight out of a different era. No, you’re not suddenly in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, and Mr. Rogers isn’t about to step aboard. What you’re seeing is our newly restored downtown trolley, a project more than a year in the making and the result of countless hours of work from local businesses and downtown advocates.

A little over a year ago, the City of Texarkana, Texas, began the process of purchasing a vintage 1999 Freightliner trolley bus from the Ark-Tex Council of Governments. Our city manager, David Orr, had seen it and started asking questions: What kind of shape was it in? What would it take to purchase it? And could we bring it back to life for downtown Texarkana? With the support of the entire Arts & Historic District Committee, we began restoration.

I was immediately on board, but once I saw the inside, I was sold. The warm wood paneling, the glowing globe lights, the arched windows, and the wooden benches with their antique-style legs all had a charm you just do not see every day. There was something about it that made you want to slow down, look around, and imagine all the people who might climb aboard, take photos, tell stories, and feel that same spark of nostalgia.

In mid-July, we brought the trolley to the City of Texarkana Fleet Services Department. After sitting out of service for nearly four years, she had to be hauled in on a wrecker. While she wasn’t running, we could already see the potential beneath the dust and wear, and our team was eager to get started.

As it turned out, the trolley needed far less work than we had anticipated, a pleasant surprise and the dream scenario for any restoration project. With a new battery, fresh filters, new fuel pumps, and other mechanical upgrades, she quickly began showing signs of life. Before long, the engine was running smoothly once again, and the trolley was ready to move on to the next phase of her transformation.

With regards to replacing the vinyl wrap, Digital Effects was a natural choice for the project. Our committee had partnered with them on several initiatives over the years, and we knew they had both the craftsmanship and expertise needed to tackle a restoration of this scale. In September, they began the painstaking process of removing the vinyl wrap that covered the trolley’s entire exterior. As the wrap came off, the trolley’s original character began to emerge. Beneath it was a classic two-tone paint scheme of green and red, a glimpse into its past. Unfortunately, decades of wear had taken their toll. The paint was faded, brittle, and flaking away almost at the touch.

The trolley bus had multiple uses before its restoration.

It quickly became clear that restoring the trolley’s exterior would require another type of specialized expertise. What seemed like a straightforward vinyl removal had become a much larger undertaking. Finding the right partner for that next phase proved challenging, and between the busy holiday season downtown and the unpredictability of Texas weather, the search stretched into February. That’s when we finally connected with a local company willing to take on the ambitious task of giving the trolley’s exterior the restoration it deserved.

Lone Star Truck Group stepped in to take on the next phase of the restoration. Their team carefully stripped away the deteriorating paint, repaired the damaged bumper, and prepared the trolley for a fresh start with a crisp new coat of white paint. They also generously donated a portion of the project costs as an in-kind contribution, helping us keep the restoration moving forward.

Over the course of several weeks, the trolley slowly transformed before our eyes. Once the painting was complete, the finish needed additional time to dry and fully cure, a process that took nearly a month.

While the paint was curing, we turned our attention to the trolley’s final look. Working alongside Digital Effects, we finalized a custom vinyl design that would incorporate the Arts & Historic District’s new branding while honoring the trolley’s vintage character. We wanted it to feel fresh and recognizable but still evoke the timeless charm that made us fall in love with it in the first place. From the classic two-tone color scheme and decorative exterior detailing to the frosted window accents, every element was chosen to capture the feeling of a bygone era and invite riders to slow down and enjoy the experience.

Once the paint had fully cured, the trolley made another stop, this time at Audio Center of Texarkana. As another valued downtown business partner, they generously donated the installation of a new Bluetooth audio system, microphone, and speakers at no cost to the project. As the trolley would eventually serve as a platform for historical tours, special events, and community gatherings, having a reliable, modern sound system was essential.

With the sound system installed, the trolley was ready for its new wardrobe. Digital Effects applied the final vinyl graphics, bringing together months of planning and restoration into the finished look you see today. From there, the trolley made one final stop on its journey: a much-needed deep cleaning by TNT Mobile Detailing.

Unlike the exterior, the interior didn’t need a major renovation, and we wanted to preserve as much of its original character as possible. TNT provided the finishing touch that truly put the cherry on top of this project. They carefully cleaned and restored the interior, deodorizing the carpet, polishing the metal rails, refreshing the wooden seating, and bringing new life back to the floors.

“This project would not have been possible without the hard work, generosity, and expertise of so many talented people and local businesses.” – Brooke stone, photo by shane darby

After more than a year of restoration, we were finally able to unveil the trolley to our community on Friday, June 13th. More than just a vehicle restoration, the trolley project represents a $29,661 investment in cultural tourism and historic preservation, made possible by the Arts & Historic District funding and Texas Commission on the Arts grant funds.

Later that evening, during Downtown Live, we opened the trolley’s doors and invited the community aboard for free rides through downtown. For several hours, residents and visitors climbed aboard, explored the restored interior, snapped photos, and experienced the trolley for themselves. After months of hard work and watching the trolley move from shop to shop, it was such a joy to see it finally doing what we envisioned from the start: bringing people together and creating memorable experiences downtown.

The trolley will be managed by the Arts and Historic District Committee, a collaborative partnership made up of Main Street Texarkana, the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra, the Texarkana Regional Arts & Humanities Council, the Texarkana Museums System, the Texarkana Chamber of Commerce, and the Cities of Texarkana, Texas, and Texarkana, Arkansas.

Although the trolley will not operate as a public transportation service or follow a regular route, it will play an active role in community life. Plans include using the trolley for special events, historical tours, visitor experiences, parades, festivals, and other unique opportunities that showcase everything our downtown district has to offer. In the future, community organizations, businesses, and nonprofit groups will also have opportunities to request use of the trolley through a sponsorship process coordinated through the Arts and Historic District Committee. This approach will help ensure the trolley remains a community asset that supports events and programs aligned with the committee’s mission of promoting and enhancing downtown Texarkana.

This project would not have been possible without the hard work, generosity, and expertise of so many talented people and local businesses. The trolley stands as a testament to the talent, craftsmanship, and community spirit that make Texarkana special, and we cannot wait to see the memories it helps create for years to come.

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