History That Connects Us
A day at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museums is a full sensory experience, from the ring of the bell to the hum and shake of the trolley as it rides down the tracks. Our Museum brings a unique experience to visitors of all generations, connecting us all to the past. From the moment they arrive, our visitors enter a world of timeless memories, historic innovations, and interactive discoveries.
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This #MuseumMonday, we’re highlighting one of the operational streetcars you might ride during a visit to the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum: Pittsburgh Railways Co. 1138.
Car 1138 is a very early example of a PCC streetcar – one of the 201 delivered to Pittsburgh Railways in the first two years of their production.
Acquired by the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum in 1961, this car was first restored by volunteers in the late 60s and again in 2000 (that time to its mid-1950s appearance). It was also one of three PCC cars in our collection that were heavily overhauled through the courtesy of Adtranz (then Bombardier Transportation and now Alstom) in their Elmira, New York facility.
Most recently, it was electrically overhauled, allowing it to rejoin our operating fleet in 2024! #VisitWashingtonPA #museum #trolley #streetcar
Trying to decide when to visit the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum this summer? Consider stopping in this coming Saturday, June 27th, during the West Penn Trolley Meet!
On Saturday specifically we will host our historic trolley parades throughout the day (currently scheduled for 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, and 2:00 PM). These parades give visitors a rare chance to see the majority of our operating streetcars in motion throughout the day, as well as the chance to ride several that aren’t in regular service!
Stop in next weekend to enjoy these parades and a host of other activities during the West Penn Trolley Meet and our Anything On Wheels event - all included with general admission!
Learn more at our website (link’s in our bio!). #VisitWashingtonPA #trolley #streetcar #museum #history
#ThrowbackThursday: To Philadelphia Transportation Company 8042 in service on Route 55`s last weekend of operation.
This streetcar was the last one to operate on the York Road to Willow Grove line (Route 55) on September 8, 1940 and was chosen for preservation for this reason.
8042 didn’t make its way to our museum until 2005; but as of today, it is undergoing restoration to its 1953 appearance thanks to the support of our volunteers and members! #transit #trolley #streetcar #philadelphia
3, 2, 1, blast off! 🚀 Join us this Saturday (6/20) for Trolleys in Space and learn all about space travel.
Test out our stomp rockets, make some space-themed crafts, and explore booths from our community partners including the @allegheny_observatory, the @cmuastroclub, and the @challenger_learning_center of Wheeling, WV!
This event is included with General Admission and is free for our Members. Learn more at patrolley.org/events.
We’re also excited to welcome Pittsburgh Space Command, Tripoli Pittsburgh, and Francis Graham from Kent State University and his exhibits on Moon Trains!
#PATrolleyMuseum #VisitWashingtonPA #ThingstodoPittsburgh
This #MuseumMonday, we’re highlighting one of the operational streetcars you might ride during a visit to the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum: New Orleans Public Service 832.
Visitors and supporters frequently ask how and why our museum acquired this particular streetcar. The answer is that in December 1947, car 832 was featured in a Life Magazine article (when Tennessee Williams’ play “A Streetcar Named Desire” debuted on Broadway). Three years later, another magazine article identified 832 as the car regularly assigned to operation on the Desire line. With these facts in mind, our founders and first wave of volunteers grew interested in bringing car 832 to our museum; and they did just that in 1964.
Today, car 832 continues on in the same way as its sister cars still operating in New Orleans. Their fame makes 832 an even more valuable piece of history, which we are very proud to be able to display and operate! #VisitWashingtonPA #trolley #streetcar #museum
Week One of STEAM Summer Camp is in the books - what a great week of Lego Camp! Don’t miss out on the summer of a lifetime for your kids - book a week of camp at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum! Visit our website for information.
Education
The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum provides unique, exciting, and fun educational opportunities for students, educators, and life-long learners! Our museum is dedicated to sharing stories, insight, and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) themed opportunities and experiences that will bring the trolley era to life. Check out our Education page to learn about field trip opportunities, Scout workshops, summer camps, and more!
History
Take a ride into the past at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum where the trolley era is alive and well. The Museum uses daily tours, interactive exhibits, multidimensional programming, and special events throughout the year to transport visitors back in time. Our history and STEAM exhibits tell the stories of the people, places, and things that made the trolley era such an exciting and unique time to be alive!
Collection
The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum is focused on preserving and restoring our collection of antique streetcars. The Museum was founded in 1953 and has continued to conserve, preserve, and restore cars through a mostly volunteer effort. Today, we house a collection of 50 streetcars, many of which are operational and used for daily rides. Visit our Collection page to learn more about all of our different trolleys!