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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Now Open On Thursdays!
We're expanding our hours of operation and will now be open on Thursdays - Sundays from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM!
Plan Your VisitEarly Bird Special - Save on Summer Camp!
Summer camp registration is now open! We're offering seven weeks of STEAM Summer Camps for kids ages 6 - 12.
Click Here For More InfoEducation
Spring Scout Workshops
Sign up for a Spring Scout Merit Badge Workshop!
Click Here For More InfoTrolley Tots
Join us the third Thursday of each month for Trolley Tots! Trolley Tots is designed for early learners (children ages 2-5) and one accompanying adult to discover different types of transportation through sensory play, stories, crafts, music, and getting up-close with the vehicle of the month!
Learn MoreSensory Friendly Hours
Join us for Sensory Friendly Hours on Sunday, January 19th from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM.
Learn MorePrograms
Trolleyology Zoom Series
Check out all of the recordings from our previous Trolleyology programs and sign up to join us for the next one. We host these virtual presentations regularly on a variety of transit topics.
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Follow us to stay up-to-date on museum news!
For today’s #MuseumMonday we’re shining the spotlight on Pittsburgh Railways Co. 3756 - a car that turns 100 this year!
P.N. Jones low-floor car 3756 was meant to replace older, heavier wooden interurban cars on the Washington and Charleroi lines. As originally built, it had a separate smoking compartment and a lavatory. Today you won’t find those on 3756; you will find a left-hand front door, which was installed when the car served the shipyards on Neville Island via the 23 line.
3756 is one of our three founding cars, i.e. it’s literally been with us since the beginning! It’s also one of only two Pittsburgh “yellow cars” remaining (the other being sister car 4398). #history #transit #trolley #streetcar #pittsburgh

Teddy Bear Trolley is this weekend! 🧸💗
Join us on February 15 & 16 for some teddy-rific good times! Bring your favorite stuffie, wear PJs, and enjoy fun activities like a scavenger hunt and storytime. Also, we’ll be selling our own trolley operator Teddy Bear as seen in these photos!
Best of all, kids can enjoy free admission, just like they can during all of February, thanks to Alex E. Paris Contracting!

#ThrowbackThursday: To the winter of 1966, when Brilliners still ran for the Red Arrow Lines division of the Philadelphia Suburban Transportation Company. This particular photo shows car 7 on the former Ardmore line, specifically on Belmont Avenue. #history #transit #philaldelphia #trolley #streetcar

It’s #NationalInventorsDay!
If you know anything about #transit #history, it’s that inventors played a critical role in helping cities move away from traveling via horse and buggy.
Here are just a few of the individuals who left their mark on public transit and history alike:
- Leo Daft created the first mechanism that collected electric current using a wheeled device. This first device was called a “troller,” after the way it was towed behind the car. Daft’s system proved less than practical and was eventually replaced with poles.
- Charles Joseph Van Depoele developed and demonstrated the first working trolley pole in the autumn of 1885.
- Most famously, Frank J Sprague invented many systems that improved transportation. His contributions included improving the designs needed for spring-loaded trolley poles, improving the mounting for car motors, and developing a system that allowed a driver to control multiple electric motors as a multi-unit train! #streetcar #trolley

Pennsylvania Trolley Museum`s Executive Director & CEO, Scott R. Becker, has announced his retirement after nearly 32 years of leadership.
Scott was hired on August 25, 1993 as the Museum`s first Executive Director (and first employee) and oversaw its extensive expansion with the construction of a new Welcome & Education Center, exhibit and artifact preservation buildings, reconstruction of existing buildings, restoration of historic streetcars, and nearly doubling the length of the Museum’s trackage. Under Scott’s leadership, PTM has experienced dramatic growth in volunteerism and visitors over the past 32 years, attracting over 48,000 visitors in 2024, the most in its history. Over 200 volunteers and a paid staff of 14 now ensure that Museum visitors have an enjoyable and educational experience.
PTM is grateful for Scott`s exemplary service and will honor him with the Lifetime Achievement Award at our annual Streetcar Soiree on May 16. For more information about this event and the full press release, please visit our website (link in bio).
#leadership #executivedirector #history #trolleys #streetcars #museum

Join us today for Sensory Friendly Hours from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM! Explore the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum in a sensory modified setting with quieter streetcars, lowered exhibit sounds, and soft lighting. Sensory bags are also available. Advanced registration is not required for this event.
https://pa-trolley.org/event/sensory-friendly-hours-2-2/


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!