Pennsylvania Trolley Museum

More than just a ride...it's an Experience

Events and Programs Assistant

Trolleyology Zoom Series

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Introducing: Trolleyology!

Join PTM staff, volunteers, and members for our new Zoom series, Trolleyology! These programs will feature Pennsylvania transit history topics and tales of our collection that you can experience from home. Registration is required but free of charge. Donations are welcome and encouraged. Limited space is available!

For the best experience, we recommend downloading Zoom in advance.

Schedule:

Beginning in 2021, Trolleyology presentations will be shared about once every two weeks through spring. Interested in presenting? Email assistant@patrolley.org!

Tentative schedule (subject to change):

PCC: The Amazing Streamlined Streetcar
Tuesday, January 26, 2021, 7:00 PM ET
Presented by Tony Schill
*This program will be longer than our typical Trolleyology presentation!
REGISTER HERE

“A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever.” So proclaimed a mid-1930’s Westinghouse ad featuring the new PCCs then arriving at transit systems all over North America. Back when the poet Keats penned those words in the early 1800s, he obviously did not have the PCC car in mind. But the words nevertheless remain appropriate in reference to the PCC, even today. The PCC car was a technological and aesthetic triumph that was intended to assure the long future of the traditional electric street railway industry. That goal was successfully achieved, but only for a while.

Just 20 years after the debut of the PCC it had become apparent that the traditional streetcar systems in North America were slowly rolling toward eventual extinction. Happily, that extinction never occurred, though it came all too close. Indeed, the PCC car was a major factor in keeping the streetcar industry alive just long enough to reach the light at the end of the tunnel—light rail and modern streetcar. Let’s go back and take a ride through PCC history!

Hershey Transit
Tuesday, February 9, 2021, 7:00 PM ET
Presented by Lisa Maloy

Red Arrow Lines
Tuesday, February 23, 2021, 7:00 PM ET
Presented by John Nicholson

That the Red Arrow has been one of the country’s most successful traction companies is borne out by the fact that much of it continues to operate today under the auspices of SEPTA. CERA’s John Nicholson will present a PowerPoint program taking you back on a journey over the Red Arrow lines with color images dating from the early 1940s to the present.

Trolley Watches
Tuesday, March 9, 2021, 7:00 PM ET
Presented by Philip Sauerlender

Philip Sauerlender will talk about specialized pocket watches made for interurban electric railway employees.  These watches were made specifically to meet the requirements of the interurban railway industry which flourished briefly the first third of the twentieth century. This program will explain the need for these watches, describe their characteristics, show their advertising, and illustrate many examples.

Cleveland Transit – Years of Transition
Tuesday, March 23, 2021, 7:00 PM ET
Presented by Rich Krisak

This program will focus on the early 50s when the last streetcars ran, the new rapid transit opened and the wires came down on the Cleveland Union Terminal electrification.

Pittsburgh to McKeesport by Trolley
Wednesday, April 7, 7:00 PM ET
Presented by Russ Jackson

Member Russ Jackson will show a one-hour video “Pittsburgh To McKeesport By Trolley”. The outbound trip will be shown using slides and the return trip will be 30 minutes of digitized 8mm film taken with a tripod-mounted camera adjacent to the trolley motorman. With its cross-country running, Russ always liked to consider the route 56 as an interurban line, taking one to a small city that once hosted 5 or 6 separate trolley lines. That such a trolley line existed as long as it did is quite remarkable. If time permits some additional shorter video will be shown.

Previous Programs:

These programs may be available for outreach presentations. If your club, organization, or group is interested in a digital program, please email assistant@patrolley.org.

Some previous presenters have given permission for the Museum to share their programs on PTM’s YouTube Account. Click here for the Trolleyology playlist!

Keeping up with the Joneses: The Life and Career of Mr. P.N. Jones of the Pittsburgh Railways Co.
Wednesday, January 13, 2021, 7:00 PM ET
Presented by Father Jack Demnyan
Watch Recording

Most Pittsburgh transit fans are familiar with the Jones’ Low Floor Car, that ubiquitous “yellow car” trolley which was the mainstay vehicle for Pittsburgh Railways Co. from the WWI era until the arrival of the PCC streamlined cars.  Few, however, know much about the man behind the machine – Mr. P.N. Jones.  This presentation will focus on his life and career with the Railways while uncovering a few surprises along the way.

Johnstown – Last of the Small-Town Trolleys:  60th Anniversary of the Last Day
+ Bonus: Last Day of Service on the Munhall Line in Pittsburgh
Tuesday, October 13, 2020, 7:00 PM
Watch recording

Were it not for the sharp climb of the Pittsburgh Railways Company’s Fineview line, the Johnstown Traction Company’s Morrellville line’s steep grade at its outer end would certainly have been more well-known.  As it is, the system is fondly remembered as the “last of the small-town trolleys” and will be the subject of this October Trolleyology presentation by Jim Graebner.

Small Town Trolley Along the Allegheny River
Wednesday, October 7, 2020, 7:00 PM
Watch recording

Armstrong County, Pennsylvania was home to 2 separate trolley lines during the first third of the twentieth century. This program will focus on one of them. The Kittanning & Leechburg Railways Company, a small rural line ran for 10 miles in the middle of Armstrong County from 1899 to 1936 that became part of the West Penn Railways System in 1911. The focus of this presentation by Dennis Cramer will be on the communities of Kittanning and Ford City along with a look at Lenape Park, an amusement park owned by the railways company.

A Ride to Charleroi
Tuesday, September 29, 2020, 7:00 PM
Watch recording

Join PTM Volunteer George Gula for a virtual interurban ride from Pittsburgh through Charleroi south to Roscoe. The scenic Charleroi line featured a number of bridges, followed today’s Routes 51, 88, and 837, and connected the big city with small towns in Allegheny and Washington County until its abandonment in 1953.

A Look Back at the Trolleys of Irwin
Tuesday, September 22, 2020, 7:00 PM
Watch recording

In the first half of the 20th century, trolleys brought tremendous growth and change to the Borough of Irwin and its surrounding towns in Westmoreland County.  This program from Andy Blenko looks at how the town was served by trolleys and rise and fall of those trolley companies.

On the Warpath! Pennsylvania’s Trolleys during WWII
Tuesday, June 16, 6:30 pm
Watch recording

Transit systems were considered vital war industries, yet it was difficult to keep the trolleys running during the war.

Labor shortages, equipment shortages, and a strike involving an army takeover of at least one Pennsylvania property were only some of the issues faced by those running public transit in Pennsylvania. Join volunteer George Gula to see how it was accomplished during WWII.

Allegheny Valley Route
Tuesday, June 9, 2:30 pm
Watch recording

The lower Allegheny Valley, just north of Pittsburgh, hosted three streetcar lines in the early 20th Century, each of them part of a different corporate structure. The Allegheny Valley (West Penn), Tarentum, Breckenridge & Butler and Route 78 of Pittsburgh Railways served the heavily industrialized area along the lower Allegheny River valley.

This presentation, based upon the book Allegheny Valley Trolleys, will be presented by Dennis Cramer, one of the authors and former Chief Instructor of Operator Training at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum.

When Bad Things Happen to Good Trolleys
Wednesday, June 3, 6:30 pm
Watch recording

Whenever a trolley left the car barn for its day’s work, trouble was never far behind. In this presentation, volunteer George Gula shares a collection of derailments, collisions, floods, snow and ice incidents and all the other things that made the motorman wish he had stayed home and the trolley wish it had stayed in the depot.

Wexford: Station, Post Office, Deli, and Back Again
Tuesday, May 26, 2020 2:00 pm
Watch recording

 

The Wexford Station served the Pittsburgh, Harmony, Butler & New Castle Railway (“The Harmony Route”) from 1908 until the last trolley ran in 1931. After its life as a passenger and freight station, the building was purchased, moved, and used as a post office, antique shop, and most recently, a deli.

Join Executive Director Scott Becker for a Trolleyology talk about Wexford Station, the route it served, its relocation to the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, and its reopening in 2016.

 

 

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Virtual Holly Jolly Trolley

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Date: Thursday, December 17, 2020
Time: 5:00 PM
Where: Zoom
Tickets

 

For one night only, Santa will be broadcasting live from the North Pole as he prepares for Christmas! So wear your favorite Christmas pajamas and join us for the museum’s first ever virtual meeting with Santa!

 

Register for this special Zoom chat as we see who is on the nice list, hear an elf read Santa’s favorite story, and join Santa as he takes us onboard his Holly Jolly Trolley!

 

This virtual meeting is $5 per family, and all proceeds help keep the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum’s trolleys running!

 

Ticket sales end at noon on December 16 so that we have time to get everything ready for Santa!

 

 

*Special note: This will be a performance-style Zoom – Santa and the elves will not be able to directly interact with each individual family! Ticket sales are non-refundable unless the digital event needs to be canceled by the museum.

COVID-19 Updates

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The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum is

Closed

due to the recent upsurge of cases.

 

Updated: November 29, 2020

As of November 17, the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum is closed to the public for the rest of the year and into next season. A reopening date has not yet been announced. The Museum made the difficult decision to cancel the Santa: A Gift of Four Seasons event due to the worsening pandemic. We consider the safety of our visitors, volunteers, and staff to be of top importance, and though we had designed the event to comply with state COVID-19 guidelines, we felt it was safest to cancel the event and all public operations until further notice.

Please stay tuned to our website and Facebook for the latest information.

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June 2020 update:

Timed ticketing must be adhered to.

The Trolley will make just 5 trips each day and a maximum of 25 people allowed on each ride.

  • 10:00 AM
  • 11:15 AM
  • 12:30 PM
  • 1:45 PM
  • 3:00 PM

Thursday bookings at 10:00 AM are reserved for high risk visitors. The Center of Disease Control (CDC) defines high risk as individuals as adults (age 65+) and people of any age who have serious underlying medical issues.

Click here for high risk reservations

New Pricing:

Adults………………………………………….$12
Seniors (ages 65+)…………………………..$11
Children (ages 1-15)…………………………$10
Children under 1……………………………..FREE
Museum Members…………………………..FREE

RESERVE YOUR TICKETS ONLINE

What your visit will look like:

  • The ticketing area will open at 10:00 AM each day.
  • Masks or face coverings are required – please bring one with you!
  • Your visit will be approximately 1.5 hours long.
  • When you arrive, please have your online ticket available via printout or mobile device
    • The store hostess will welcome you, check you into the ticketing system and then provided you with a wristband.
  • Your tickets are good for only the tour/ride time that you purchased tickets for. Trolleys will depart exactly at the time that you are scheduled.
  • Directional signage will be located on the floors throughout our facility. This will help manage social distancing and help flow of traffic.
  • Your tickets are good for a trolley ride on our 4-mile (roundtrip) track, a trolley ride to our Trolley Display Building, a tour, and entrance into our exhibit space.

Please read about how the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum will promote a healthy and safe visit:

The staff of the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum (PTM) hope that you are just as excited as we are to be reentering our facility! On Friday, June 5th, Washington County officially moved to the Green Phase of the Reopening PA plan released by the governor of Pennsylvania. In order to comply with all established safety guidelines, the museum will be reopening to guests on July 2, 2020. Please note this date may change if the museum finds that it is not ready to open by that date.

We understand that you are all eager to take your first trip on one of our beloved trolleys. That’s why PTM has developed a 3 week process of preparing the museum for reopening.

During the week of June 8-12, select Pennsylvania Trolley Museum staff and approved volunteers will reenter the facility. During this time, we will be training our amazing team of staff and volunteers on our new protocols and expectations to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for you to visit. The museum will prepare all areas and will be adhering to all CDC and Department of Health state guidelines.

The weeks of June 15 & 22, Staff will begin working in staggered shifts. Trolley Maintenance, Restoration and Building Maintenance volunteers will be back in the facility prepping everything that is needed before opening. At this time, all ticket sales for the summer will go on sale online. The museum will then finalize all items needed to establish a safe and welcoming environment for our visitors.

Please know that we are doing everything possible to have your return be safe and enjoyable. Attached to this email is a list of how the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum will follow the best practices for businesses recommended by the Pennsylvania Department of Health during the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. Continue to check our website for updates as we prepare the museum to welcome you all back!

On behalf of the Museum, I want to thank you for your ongoing interest and support particularly during these challenging times. We look forward to reopening and offering services that will enhance your member and volunteer experience.

Sincerely yours,

Scott R. Becker
Executive Director

Regulating the number of visitors for safe social distancing:

  • Our museum will be operating at 50% capacity per Pennsylvania requirements.

Staff training and procedures:

  • Masks will be required for all Pennsylvania Trolley Museum staff, volunteers, and contractors.
  • All returning staff members and volunteers will learn the proper way to wear a mask, wash hands, maintain social distancing, and other safety protocols.
  • Staff and contracted cleaners will be trained on updated cleaning procedures and new cleaning materials.

Re-opening procedures:

  • We will thoroughly clean our facilities and institute enhanced cleaning protocols, in adherence to CDC guidelines.
  • Free-standing hand sanitizing stations will be installed throughout our public spaces.
  • Timed ticketing will allow us to limit the number of guests in and control visitor flow.
  • We will remove or limit the use of interactive exhibits to limit touch points.
  • One-way traffic flow will be utilized through way-finding floor signage.
  • A Plexiglass shield will be installed at our ticketing/store register.
  • Visitors older than age 2 will be required to wear masks. Any visitor displaying signs of illness will be escorted out of the building; or, if they need assistance, will be taken to a private room designated at each facility until they can be assisted out of the building by family or ambulance.
  • Social distancing of 6’ will be implemented and monitored throughout our museum. Parties entering our museums together may remain together, and children must remain with an adult at all times
  • Volunteers will be trained to follow CDC guidelines and ensuring that visitors are following social distancing guidelines
  • High touch-point areas throughout the day and restrooms will be sanitized each day
  • Our Museum Store will be open and adhering to social distancing guidelines

Getting in Touch

While staff is working from home, please reach out via email for the quickest response. Museum staff is currently available by email only, Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:00pm.

Research Librarian:  librarian@patrolley.org
Business Manager: businessmanager@patrolley.org
Development Assistant: development@patrolley.org
Executive Director:  director@patrolley.org
Educator: education@patrolley.org
Outreach and Programs: assistant@patrolley.org
Visitor Services: visitorservices@patrolley.org
Volunteer Coordinator: volunteer@patrolley.org

See our directory for more contact information.

Important

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, please postpone your visit and stay home if:

– You have recently traveled from one of the areas with widespread cases of the virus
– You are feeling unwell, having breathing problems or have a fever (if you think that you have the virus, stay at home and call a medical professional)
– You suspect you may have been exposed to someone diagnosed with COVID-19

In the museum

If the above cases do not apply to you, to protect yourself and others while in the museum, it is important to:

– Stay at a respectful distance (at least 6 feet) from staff members, volunteers, and other visitors.
– Avoid close contact with other people (shaking hands, hugging, etc.).
– Regularly wash your hands with soap and water or, if unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
– Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze.
– Always wear a mask or face covering.

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March 12, 2020 Update:

We take our visitors’ health and safety very seriously. The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum has made the decision to cancel or postpone events through May to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Events affected include Bunny Trolley, Scout Merit Badge Day, Daniel Tiger’s Weekend, and private rentals or events.

We strongly recommend that all visitors continue checking our website for additional museum updates.

Did you purchase tickets to one of the events?

Your ticket purchase will be fully refunded within 7-10 business days.

Are other activities canceled at the museum?

The Western Pennsylvania Trolley Meet scheduled for June 26-27, the Truck Show scheduled for June 27, and the Car Show scheduled for June 28, have been canceled.

The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum will remain temporarily closed for an extended period. Once an opening date is set, we will be sure to update our webpage and announce the dates on our social media pages. We thank you for your patience during these difficult times!

We are still booking field trips, birthdays, room rentals and tours for later in the year. For parties and rentals, please email visitorservices@patrolley.org. For field trips or group visits, please email education@patrolley.org. For questions about Scout Day, please email assistant@patrolley.org.

**If you have previously booked a birthday party, field-trip or rental, please know that the museum fully understands if you decide to cancel. For those who cancel, the museum will refund you your full deposit amount.

Updates on the situation

To keep your family, friends, and community safe, please visit the CDC’s website for more information about COVID-19:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Thank you,
-Pennsylvania Trolley Museum staff

Holiday Packages

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Gift Packages
from the
Pennsylvania Trolley Museum

These amazing packages are available only for a short time period! Purchase one of these special gifts today! All packaged items listed below must be ordered or booked by December 18 at 12:00PM.

Be a Part of the Museum

  • 1-Year Associate Membership
  • Includes 4 Tickets to the Regular Museum Visit, Pennsylvania Trolley Museum Guidebook, 2021 Western Pennsylvania Trolley Calendar
  • $80 (A $95 value!)

Contact the Store Manager to purchase!

Family Package Deal

  • 1-Year Family Membership
  • 6 tickets (2 Adults and 4 Children) to the Regular Museum Visit to gift to another family!
  • Pennsylvania Trolley Museum Guidebook
  • 2021 Western Pennsylvania Trolley Calendar
  • $136 (A $156 value!)

Contact the Store Manager to purchase!

Photo Sessions

The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum provides a beautiful backdrop for photography sessions. For 2 hours you have private use of a vintage streetcar with motorman for a photo session. Whether looking for engagement photos or a family portrait, we have something for everyone. All you have to do is bring your favorite photographer!

 

Sessions can be scheduled for June-August and limited dates in the Spring or Fall. For more information, please email: visitorservices@patrolley.org

 

$200 for a 2 hour session

 

Operator for an Hour

Experience the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of operating an antique streetcar!
Take the ride yourself or purchase the opportunity for a friend or loved one. Makes the perfect gift!

 

This $150 package includes the “Operator for an Hour” session, certificate of completion, one-year individual Museum membership and tickets for five additional passengers to ride with the honoree and a regularly scheduled ride and tour of the museum.

 

*Participants must be 18-years-old or older and have a valid Driver’s License.*
*Dates and times to be determined, those gifted with an Operator for an Hour session will be able to choose from 6 dates.*

 

This package includes:
  • A session with a Museum instructor making a complete circuit of the museum’s open line (*NOTE: may not actually take an hour).
  • A certificate of participation for the honored student.
  • Individual one year Museum membership.
  • Tickets for five (5) additional passengers to ride and tour the Museum with the recipient.

 

Evening on the Rails
A (Mostly) Lights-Out Experience

 Visit the Museum at night and ride the rails on our beautifully restored trolleys. This rare experience lets you really see the warm glow of the trolley interior and the sounds of the car as it rolls down the tracks into the dark night.

 

Then enter the Trolley Display Building where the lights will be turned off and a special guided Flashlight Tour will be offered! These 40 minute tours will be docent-led, and include special flashlights. Each tour will visit the collection while the lights are out. But as you arrive at the different cars, we will light them by raising the pole and connecting them to the power! This tour has limited capacity, all tour guests must be 10 years old and over, and must preregister by contacting the Visitor Services Manager!

 

To book, please contact: visitorservices@patrolley.org

 

Each tour accommodates 10 people.

 

$20 per Person
$15 per Member

 

April 22, 2021- 6:00PM
November 11, 2021- 7:00PM
(*Limited capacity tour, only 10 tickets available)

 

A Private Dining Experience on
Trolley Parlor Car Toledo vintage 1906

For Four (4) People
ONLY TWO OF THESE EXPERIENCES AVAILABLE

 

Board the beautiful Trolley Parlor Car Toledo vintage 1906 (a stationary viewing car) for a once in a lifetime dining experience for 4 people. Enjoy a signature cocktail and appetizer as you sit amongst the beautifully restored parlor car. After cocktail and appetizer, you and your guests will move into the dining area where you will enjoy a relaxing evening on the trolley entertaining friends with a Chef from Bella Serra! Bella Sera will customize the menu for your tastes precisely. The Chef will come armed with a secret stash of herbs, spices and oils from various places throughout Italy and will engage you guests throughout the meal preparation, then present each course with fine detail.

 

After your meal, board onto West Penn 832 as it transports you on a 4 mile roundtrip ride and enjoy a personalized tour of our museum.

 

***Recipient may modify the menu to best suit their specific needs. Selected date should be determined 30 days (or more) in advance and be mutually acceptable to both parties. Must be redeemed by 11/15/2021. Once item has been purchased a contact at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum will provide contact information for scheduling.
*Date cannot be a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.

 

To book, please contact: visitorservices@patrolley.org

 

Package Price- $1700
Member Package Price- $1500

Spread holiday cheer with presents
from the Museum Store!

Whether you’re looking for the perfect stocking stuffer or the book of any railfans dream, the Museum Store has the gifts for you!

 

Celebrate the season with a present from our Museum Store. Visit our selection of online merchandise today!

Halloween Storytime & Tours

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Saturday, October 31: Harvest Trolley Themed Tours

Adult tours: 10:00 AM, 12:30 PM, 3:00 PM
Children/Family tours*: 11:15 AM, 1:45 PM

Learn how trolleys helped transport food and other goods from farms and rural areas into towns and major cities like Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.

*Join Sarah, the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum’s Educator, for spooky storytime at 11:00 AM and 1:30 PM on Saturday, October 31!

After storytime, continue the fun with a harvest trolley tour and ride.

Each session is limited to 25 participants. Advance registration is required. For the 11:00 AM storytime, please register on ShowClix for the 11:15 AM time slot, and for the 1:30 PM storytime, please register on ShowClix for the 1:45 PM time slot. The program will begin promptly at 11:00 AM and 1:30 PM.

All youth participants will receive a Spooky Streetcar activity packet. All activities are included with regular admission price.

Please email Sarah at education@patrolley.org with any questions.