Upgrading a Historic Feature of Boston: Walker Development’s Partnership with Old Town Trolley Tours

For over 40 years, Old Town Trolley Tours has been a cherished part of Boston’s cultural landscape. The iconic orange-and-green trolleys have introduced millions to the city’s history, architecture, and vibrant neighborhoods. When the opportunity arose to work on a critical upgrade for Old Town Trolley Tours, Walker Development & Construction Management embraced the challenge with a deep sense of responsibility and pride.

This project wasn’t just about improving facilities—it was about supporting a key player in Boston’s tourism industry and preserving a vital piece of the city’s identity.

The Legacy of Old Town Trolley Tours

Since its founding in 1980, Old Town Trolley Tours has been synonymous with Boston’s history and charm. The tours offer visitors a unique way to experience landmarks like Fenway Park, the Freedom Trail, and Boston Harbor while learning the stories that shaped the city.

With its hop-on-hop-off model, Old Town Trolley Tours allows visitors to explore Boston at their own pace, creating a perfect blend of education and adventure. Over the decades, these tours have become a staple of the Boston experience, making the trolleys not just a means of transportation but a beloved piece of the city’s cultural fabric.

The company’s commitment to preserving history while embracing modern tourism practices aligns seamlessly with Walker Development’s values of innovation and heritage preservation.

Tackling a Complex Upgrade

Walker Development’s work for Old Town Trolley Tours and in partnership with Hunneman involved a multifaceted project to install and enhance critical infrastructure. The upgrades included:

• Trolley Maintenance & Wash Facilities: Installation of a state-of-the-art trolley wash, maintenance area, and a fuel storage pump station required significant plumbing, underground trenching, utility work, and vacuum excavation.
• Improved Access & Safety: Revamping the sidewalk, traffic lights, and a new 30-foot emergency gate to optimize trolley entrance and exit routes.
• Advanced Environmental Solutions: Addressing environmental risks by carefully excavating hazardous soil materials and installing a new water holding tank in compliance with DEP requirements.
• State-of-the-Art Systems: Installing new HVAC systems for cooling, heating, and exhaust, as well as weatherproof insulation and five expansive overhead garage doors.

This work not only modernized the infrastructure for Old Town Trolley Tours but also set them up for long-term operational success.

A Collaborative Approach to Problem-Solving

What makes Walker Development unique is our commitment to collaboration. In this project, we didn’t just wait for engineers to propose solutions; we partnered with them and the client to develop creative, cost-effective strategies.

Leveraging decades of experience and specialized expertise, Walker’s team worked closely with the engineers to solve challenges quickly and efficiently. From navigating environmental concerns to optimizing designs for functionality, our team ensured the project stayed on schedule and within budget while exceeding client expectations.

A Commitment to Excellence

At Walker Development, we view every project as an opportunity to make a positive impact. Upgrading Old Town Trolley Tours’ facilities wasn’t just about building infrastructure; it was about enabling a Boston icon to thrive for decades to come.

Through collaboration, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to client success, we delivered a solution that supports the city’s tourism industry and strengthens its community ties.

Whether you’re navigating a historic landmark or a modern commercial space, Walker Development is here to help you turn challenges into solutions. Together, we build more than structures—we build trust, relationships, and legacies.