PA Trolley Museum

Scout Workshop: BSA Signs, Signals, and Codes Merit Badge Workshop
2023-11-04 09:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | PA
BSA Signs, Signals, and Codes
Saturday, November 4th
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
This workshop has unfortunately been postponed. Please check back in the future to see additional dates.

Scout Workshop: Engineers in the Making! Merit Badge Workshop
2023-11-04 13:00 - 16:00 | PA
This merit badge workshop is open to any youth in 1st – 5th grade. We will be meeting all requirements for the following badges:

Webelos Engineering
Girl Scout Brownie Race Car Design Challenge
Girl Scout Junior Balloon Car Design Challenge

Scouts participating in this workshop will study real-life engineers, use the Engineer Design Process, design blueprints, then investigate potential and kinetic energy to design and race air-powered vehicles!
Pre-registration is required: Click here to register.

Trolleyology: Philadelphia Subway-Surface Transit 1858-1968
2023-11-14 19:00 - 20:30 | PA
Join PTM staff, volunteers, and members for our Zoom series, Trolleyology! These programs 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.

Philadelphia Subway-Surface Transit 1858-1968
11/14/2023 – 7 PM ET – Presented by George Gula

REGISTER HERE

Join Pennsylvania Trolley Museum volunteer George Gula for a journey through the history of Philadelphia surface and subway transit from the first horsecars in 1858 up to the start of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) in 1968. This program received rave reviews when it was previously shared during the Hoosier Traction Meet – but if you have to miss out, this presentation will be recorded and available on PTM’s YouTube Trolleyology playlist!

This program will be recorded and available at a later date on the PTM YouTube channel.

Trolleyology presentations will continue on a regular or semi-regular basis. Interested in presenting? Email Kristen at kfred@patrolley.org! We’re specifically looking for programs related to the Trolley Era in general, Pennsylvania transit history, or stories about our collection. Please join our e-mail list to stay up-to-date with program announcements and other PTM news!
*For the best experience, we recommend downloading Zoom in advance.
NOTE: This is a virtual event

Santa Trolley
2023-11-25 09:00 - 17:00, 2023-11-26 09:00 - 17:00, 2023-12-02 09:00 - 17:00, 2023-12-03 09:00 - 17:00, 2023-12-09 09:00 - 17:00, 2023-12-10 09:00 - 17:00, 2023-12-16 09:00 - 17:00, 2023-12-17 09:00 - 17:00 | PA
Pennsylvania Trolley Museum’s stockings are hung by the trolleys with care with the knowledge that Santa Claus will soon be there! While aboard a beautifully restored antique streetcar, visitors will get to meet Santa Claus and a few of his friends! Santa will be happy to have visitors take his picture, so make sure you remember to bring your camera. You can also stop by the museum’s large Lionel toy train layout, view the wonderful LEGO layout built by Steel City Lug, Pittsburgh Area’s Adult LEGO User Group. Children can do a holiday craft and everyone can enjoy complimentary hot chocolate and cookies. Tickets include a second festive trolley ride aboard the Yuletide Shuttle. For the first time, we will also have our Trolley Display Building open during Santa Trolley so visitors can enjoy the rest of our collection as well!
We are grateful to our Santa Trolley Diamond Sponsor, Washington Financial Charitable Foundation, for their generous support.
This is a rain or shine event. Please plan to arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time. When you arrive at the museum, check in at the ticket desk. Please note that children ages 2 and under require free tickets and must ride in the lap of an adult. The number of children under 3 cannot exceed the total of adult/senior tickets in your group.
Please note that this year, Santa Trolley will be our first event to utilize our new Welcome and Education Center – the address is: 1 Electric Way, Washington, PA 15301.

Tickets on sale for members starting Monday, October 2nd! On sale for the general public starting Monday, October 9th.
Adults $20, Seniors $19, Children $18, 2 and under require free tickets and must ride in the lap of an adult.

Trolleys and Toy Trains
2023-12-08 10:00 - 16:00, 2023-12-15 10:00 - 16:00 | Pennsylvania Trolley Museum – New Address, 1 Electric Way, Washington, PA, 15301, United States
On Fridays during the month of December, see the toy trains at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum during the annual Trolleys and Toy Trains event! From 10 AM to 4 PM (last ticket sold at 3:15), visitors will be able to ride a festive trolley and view the holiday Lionel toy train layout and a seasonal LEGO display from Steel City LUG. Regular admission rates apply. Admission includes trolley rides and access to train layouts.

Please note that for the first time, this event will be based at our new Welcome and Education Center! The address is: 1 Electric Way, Washington, PA 15301.

Regular admission: Adults $13, Seniors $12, Children $11, 2 and under free. Tickets are available on site and advance tickets are not needed.

Trolleyology: Hoosier Heartland Trolley Co.
2023-12-13 19:00 - 20:30 | PA
Join PTM staff, volunteers, and members for our Zoom series, Trolleyology! These programs 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.

Hoosier Heartland Trolley Company: Preserving and Reviving Indiana’s Electric Railway Story
12/13/2023 – 7 PM ET – Presented by Cameron Nichols and the Hoosier Heartland Trolley Co.

REGISTER HERE

The Hoosier Heartland Trolley Company is an Indiana nonprofit founded in 2018 to save some of the last remaining railroad cars representing Indiana’s rich electric railway heritage. The organization exists to spark imagination in people across all walks of life regarding the art, science, culture, technology, and economic empowerment of Indiana’s electric railway industry from the 20th century – at one time moving 7 million passengers annually across more than 2,000 miles of railroad to connect cities and rural communities.
The Indiana nonprofit is developing the state’s only electric heritage railway to immerse Hoosiers in authentic transportation experiences as a community asset for education, placemaking, and economic development. Join us and the Hoosier Heartland Trolley team to learn more about Indiana’s electric railways, the current restoration of an Indiana interurban that is now operable after 80 years of slumber, and what the future holds!
More information regarding Hoosier Heartland Trolley Co.’s preservation efforts, news, and development can be found at hoosiertrolley.org.

This program will be recorded and available at a later date on the PTM YouTube channel.

Trolleyology presentations will continue on a regular or semi-regular basis. Interested in presenting? Email Kristen at kfred@patrolley.org! We’re specifically looking for programs related to the Trolley Era in general, Pennsylvania transit history, or stories about our collection. Please join our e-mail list to stay up-to-date with program announcements and other PTM news!
*For the best experience, we recommend downloading Zoom in advance.
NOTE: This is a virtual event

Trolleyology: The Long Careers of the Twin Cities PCC Cars
2024-01-16 19:00 - 20:30 | PA
Join PTM staff, volunteers, and members for our Zoom series, Trolleyology! These programs 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.

The Long Careers of the Twin Cities PCC Cars
1/16/2024 – 7 PM ET – Presented by Aaron Isaacs

REGISTER HERE

They started life in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul and are now one of the last fleets of PCC cars still in revenue service, having traveled far and wide. With lots of photos, Minnesota Streetcar Museum historian Aaron Isaacs will tell you their story, which started with a PCC that was supposed to go to Pittsburgh.
Aaron Isaacs grew up with the Minnesota Streetcar Museum, which his father help found in 1962. He has volunteered for 48 years, and is now the Board chair and historian. He edits the museum’s quarterly Twin City Lines history magazine and has written seven books on Minnesota’s streetcars and railroads. He is also the long-time magazine editor for the HeritageRail Alliance.

This program will be recorded and available at a later date on the PTM YouTube channel.

Trolleyology presentations will continue on a regular or semi-regular basis. Interested in presenting? Email Kristen at kfred@patrolley.org! We’re specifically looking for programs related to the Trolley Era in general, Pennsylvania transit history, or stories about our collection. Please join our e-mail list to stay up-to-date with program announcements and other PTM news!
*For the best experience, we recommend downloading Zoom in advance.
NOTE: This is a virtual event

Trolleyology: Pennsylvania Trolley Museum's 70th Anniversary Celebration
2024-02-07 19:00 - 21:00 | PA
Join PTM staff, volunteers, and members for our Zoom series, Trolleyology! These programs 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.

The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum’s 70th Anniversary Celebration
2/7/2024 – 7 PM ET – Presented by Bruce Wells
REGISTER HERE

This program will be both LIVE at the museum (members only) and on Zoom! On February 7, 1954, the first three cars in PTM’s collection arrived at the museum. This program will celebrate 70 years of history at PTM with a look back at where we started and how we got to now! (PTM members: please stay tuned to member communications for information about the in-person event!)

This program will be recorded and available at a later date on the PTM YouTube channel. The event will also be streamed live on YouTube and Facebook.

Trolleyology presentations will continue on a regular or semi-regular basis. Interested in presenting? Email Kristen at kfred@patrolley.org! We’re specifically looking for programs related to the Trolley Era in general, Pennsylvania transit history, or stories about our collection. Please join our e-mail list to stay up-to-date with program announcements and other PTM news!
*For the best experience, we recommend downloading Zoom in advance.
NOTE: This is a virtual event

Volunteer Open House
2024-02-10 09:00 - 16:00 | Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, 1 Electric Way, Washington, PA, 15301, United States
The PA Trolley Museum- where history comes to life, and volunteers make it happen!
Registration for this event is now closed. See you there!
Since our beginning as the Pittsburgh Electric Railway Club, PTM has relied on the passion of volunteers to keep the Trolley Era alive. Today, our volunteer program- 130+ participants strong- continues this mission. Through their efforts, the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum strives to inspire the next generation of innovators with our collection and programs.
You’re invited to join us on February 10, 2024 for our Volunteer Open House, where you’ll get to:

Meet our volunteers! Connect with our team of trolley enthusiasts, educators, and community members of all ages
Tour our maintenance and restoration shop and find out how you can help preserve vintage transportation
Take a look at our transit archives. Our volunteers explore PA’s history through photos, maps, signage, artwork, and more
Discover how you can become a trolley operator, serve as a museum guide, and help with our exciting holiday events

Registration is required for free admission to the museum. Choose between our morning (9:00 AM- 12:00 PM) and afternoon (1:00 PM- 4:00 PM) sessions, but feel free to explore the museum throughout the day. Once you arrive at our Welcome & Education Center (address below), please check in at the front desk.
Families are welcome to attend and may register with the same form. If you are interested in planning a group outing to this event, please email Morgan, Volunteer Recruiter, at mmeer@patrolley.org to register all at once.
Can’t make it but interested in volunteering at PTM? Check out our upcoming New Operator Training and Museum Guide Classes, or fill out our general volunteer application.

Trolleyology: Beaver Valley Traction
2024-02-20 19:00 - 20:30 | PA
Join PTM staff, volunteers, and members for our Zoom series, Trolleyology! These programs 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.

Beaver Valley Traction
2/20/2024 – 7 PM ET – Presented by George Gula

REGISTER HERE

The first horsecars of the Beaver Valley Street Railway Company began running on July 4, 1885. Electric streetcar service started on December 5, 1891. Eventually, a number of companies would be created and merged into the Beaver Valley Traction Company which connected Morado Park, Beaver Falls, Beaver, Rochester, Freedom and Aliquippa, ending at the Edgeworth Borough line. The Philadelphia Company, which also owned Pittsburgh Railways, purchased the BVT and unsuccessfully attempted to link the two properties after being stymied by Sewickley and Edgeworth Boroughs. After it was turned loose on its own, the line experienced ever worsening circumstances. The last car ran on August 10, 1937. This program will show the rise and fall of the streetcar in Beaver County from 1885 to 1937.

This program will be recorded and available at a later date on the PTM YouTube channel.

Trolleyology presentations will continue on a regular or semi-regular basis. Interested in presenting? Email Kristen at kfred@patrolley.org! We’re specifically looking for programs related to the Trolley Era in general, Pennsylvania transit history, or stories about our collection. Please join our e-mail list to stay up-to-date with program announcements and other PTM news!
*For the best experience, we recommend downloading Zoom in advance.
NOTE: This is a virtual event

New Operator Training
2024-02-24 - 2024-02-25 | West Campus- Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, 1 Museum Road, Washington, PA, 15301, United States
Registration for this event has now closed. Please contact mmeer@patrolley.org with any questions or to be informed of future classes.
This February, you’re invited to participate in our New Operator Training. This hands-on course will teach you how to operate our trolleys and start your process to qualify as a museum operator.
As a PTM operator, you’ll have the opportunity to make sure each visitor has an exciting journey back in time to the Trolley Era. Treat them to rides along our two-mile track on some of the many restored trolleys in our collection.
You’ll also have the chance to connect with our community of volunteers who share a passion for trolleys, history, and education. Scheduling is completely flexible. Operate once a week, once or month, or a couple times a year! We’ll be glad to have your help.
Training Info
Class Dates:

Saturday, February 24
Sunday, February 25
An additional training day to be scheduled with our instructors at your convenience

Attendance is required on both dates. Class will be held from 9:00 am to approximately 4:00 pm at our West Campus location at 1 Museum Road. Please bring a copy of your driver’s license and lunch for both days.
Materials will be provided, including a binder with an Operations Manual and other training info. If you’d like to get a head start, please reach out, and we’ll send you the materials! Interested operators should also please consider signing up to learn about ways to make sure each guest has a great visit at Museum Guide Training (offered both on March 2 and 10).
To participate in training, you must be 14 years of age and a current member of the museum. (Operators must select “Regular Membership” or any tier above, except for those currently in school, who may apply for “Student Membership.”) New operators must also complete their clearances (instructions here) before training.
In order to complete training and become an official operator, students must do the following: attend both days of group operator training, complete 1 day of individual training and 15 days of student operation (scheduled at your convenience), and pass a proficiency test.
Space is limited so RSVP today!
**Please be advised that all volunteers are required to have up-to-date PA State Clearances. Click here to view clearance instructions.**

Museum Guide Training
2024-03-02 10:00 - 13:00 | Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, 1 Electric Way, Washington, PA, 15301, United States
Make the Trolley Era come alive!
During their visits to the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, guests have the chance to travel back in time to the wonders of the Trolley Era- when the bright lights and clanging bells of the trolleys filled the streets of America.
This experience would not be possible without our Museum Guides, who lead visitors on this journey through the decades. Join our team this Spring and help us bring the excitement of the past to life for our community. This is a great opportunity for anyone who enjoys history, transportation, technology, education, or just having a fun time!
If you would like to get involved but cannot make it, please email mmeer@patrolley.org to be informed of future classes.
Training Info
Sign up with the following form: Museum Guide Application
Session Dates (Pick One):

Saturday, March 2, 10:00am to 1:00pm
Sunday, March 10, 1:00pm to 4:00pm

Each day as PTM guide looks a little bit different. Guides give tours of our historic Wexford Station and our trolley collection that’s 50+ cars and growing. They greet guests and answer questions about trolley history and daily happenings at the museum. They also might assist with educational programs as well as festivities at special events.
During Museum Guide Training, you’ll learn from our volunteers how to make each visitor’s museum experience the best one possible. The class will highlight important aspects of customer service and how to give a successful tour. Content-related materials will be provided along with other resources- there is no background knowledge necessary!
At the end of your session, you’ll be on your way to becoming an official Museum Guide. You’ll have the opportunity to shadow our experienced volunteers and practice until you’re ready to go. There’s no required time commitment for either your time in training or as an official guide- everything is at your own pace. Whether you volunteer once a week, or a couple times a year, we’ll be glad to have your help.
Museum volunteers must be 14 years of age or older to volunteer without a guardian present. To learn more about our family volunteer opportunities, please email mmeer@patrolley.org.
**Please be advised that all volunteers are required to have up-to-date PA State Clearances. Click here to view clearance instructions.**

Museum Guide Training
2024-03-10 13:00 - 16:00 | Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, 1 Electric Way, Washington, PA, 15301, United States
Make the Trolley Era come alive!
Registration for this event is now closed. Please contact mmeer@patrolley.org with any questions or to be informed of future classes.
During their visits to the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, guests have the chance to travel back in time to the wonders of the Trolley Era- when the bright lights and clanging bells of the trolleys filled the streets of America.
This experience would not be possible without our Museum Guides, who lead visitors on this journey through the decades. Join our team this Spring and help us bring the excitement of the past to life for our community. This is a great opportunity for anyone who enjoys history, transportation, technology, education, or just having a fun time!
Training Info
Session Dates (Pick One):

Saturday, March 2, 10:00am to 1:00pm
Sunday, March 10, 1:00pm to 4:00pm

Each day as PTM guide looks a little bit different. Guides give tours of our historic Wexford Station and our trolley collection that’s 50+ cars and growing. They greet guests and answer questions about trolley history and daily happenings at the museum. They also might assist with educational programs as well as festivities at special events.
During Museum Guide Training, you’ll learn from our volunteers how to make each visitor’s museum experience the best one possible. The class will highlight important aspects of customer service and how to give a successful tour. Content-related materials will be provided along with other resources- there is no background knowledge necessary!
At the end of your session, you’ll be on your way to becoming an official Museum Guide. You’ll have the opportunity to shadow our experienced volunteers and practice until you’re ready to go. There’s no required time commitment for either your time in training or as an official guide- everything is at your own pace. Whether you volunteer once a week, or a couple times a year, we’ll be glad to have your help.
Museum volunteers must be 14 years of age or older to volunteer without a guardian present. To learn more about our family volunteer opportunities, please email mmeer@patrolley.org.
**Please be advised that all volunteers are required to have up-to-date PA State Clearances. Click here to view clearance instructions.**

Trolleyology: Toronto Streetcars: Past, Present, and Future
2024-03-20 19:00 - 20:30 | PA
Join PTM staff, volunteers, and members for our Zoom series, Trolleyology! These programs 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.

Toronto Streetcars: Past, Present, and Future
3/20/2024 – 7 PM ET – Presented by Brian Doucet

REGISTER HERE

Toronto has North America’s largest streetcar network. Its 10 routes carry around 200,000 daily riders, and they are a ubiquitous sight throughout much of the city. This presentation will trace the early history of transit in Toronto, including the municipalisation of the streetcar system in 1921. Toronto had the largest fleet of new and used PCCs in North America. Though the network contracted after World War II, this was predominantly due to subway expansion, rather than bus replacement. The system was saved in 1972 in large part due to a small group of dedicated activists, leading to the development of new generation of streetcars and new lines. Today’s system features a mix of new, low-floor LRVs and legacy operating practices which means that Toronto’s streetcars, while iconic, are a slow way of getting around the city. Across southern Ontario, light rail is expanding as a new wave of transit investment is shaping development in one of North America’s fastest growing urban regions.
Throughout this presentation, we will weave the story of the streetcars with one of an ascendant city which transitioned from a modest, predominantly British and provincial city, to Canada’s leading metropolis, its global mega-region and one of the world’s most multicultural cities. This presentation will feature many images taken by the late John F Bromley, a Toronto- based streetcar enthusiast who travelled extensively to photograph trams and trolleys between the 1960s and 2019. As a bonus, we will end with some of his Pittsburgh images from the mid-1960s!

Dr. Brian Doucet is a Canada Research Chair and Associate Professor in the School of Planning at the University of Waterloo. His academic research focuses on processes of neighbourhood change, such as gentrification, as well as mobility and transportation. He has a lifelong interest in streetcars and urban transportation, and is the co-author (with his father, Michael) of the book Streetcars and the Shifting Geographies of Toronto: a visual analysis of change (2022, University of Toronto Press). Born and raised in Toronto, Brian lived in the Netherlands between 2004 – 2017. He now resides in Kitchener, Ontario.

This program will be recorded and available at a later date on the PTM YouTube channel.

Trolleyology presentations will continue on a regular or semi-regular basis. Interested in presenting? Email Kristen at kfred@patrolley.org! We’re specifically looking for programs related to the Trolley Era in general, Pennsylvania transit history, or stories about our collection. Please join our e-mail list to stay up-to-date with program announcements and other PTM news!
*For the best experience, we recommend downloading Zoom in advance.
NOTE: This is a virtual event

Bunny Trolley
2024-03-22 10:00 - 16:00, 2024-03-23 10:00 - 16:00, 2024-03-24 10:00 - 16:00, 2024-03-29 10:00 - 16:00, 2024-03-30 10:00 - 16:00 | PA
Hop on over to the Museum as we bring back one of our favorite events, “Bunny Trolley.” Ride a beautifully restored antique trolley to see the Bunny on March 22, 23, 24, 29, & 30. Ongoing activities include a Scavenger Hunt, Four-Leaf 4-H Club’s live rabbits, and a photo opportunity with the Bunny.
This event is sponsored by Sarris Candies.
This is a rain or shine event. Admission is $22 for adults, $21 for seniors, and $17 for children (3-18). Children under 3 are free. We encourage visitors to purchase tickets ahead of time. Please plan to arrive 10-15 minutes before your scheduled departure time.
Please note that we do not issue refunds for tickets for this event.
Buy Tickets Here

BSA Collections
2024-04-06 09:00 - 12:00 | Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, 1 Electric Way, Washington, PA, 15301, United States
This merit badge workshop is open to any youth in 6th – 12th grade and is designed to help BSA scouts meet requirements for the Collections merit badge.
Due to the nature of this badge, it is encouraged for Scouts to complete as much of the workbook and requirements ahead of time as possible. Scouts will be required to bring in pictures, videos, and/or small pieces of their own private collection to share during this workshop.
Note that BSA requirements prohibit coin and stamp collections from counting towards this badge, as they are each a separate badge.
This workshop is primarily designed to allow Scouts to come together, share their collections and hard work with other Scouts, and meet with merit badge counselors for this badge. Scouts will be responsible for completing requirements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5a, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, and 6. We will also be completing requirements 5b and 7 during the workshop. Scouts will also have the opportunity to work on parts of requirements 4 and 5 during the workshop.
As part of Requirement 7, Scouts will get to learn about the various collections at our museum, including the restoration and preservation practices that happen here. Scouts will also have the opportunity to visit our Trolley Display Barn and go behind the scenes around other parts of the museum!
BSA Collections Requirements
BSA Collections Workbook

Click here to register for BSA Collections

BSA Railroading
2024-04-06 13:00 - 16:00 | Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, 1 Electric Way, Washington, PA, 15301, United States
This merit badge workshop is open to any youth in grades 6th – 12th grade and is designed to help BSA scouts meet requirements for the Railroading merit badge. We will be covering ALL requirements for this merit badge! While there are no pre-requisites, we strongly encourage participating Scouts to review the Railroading Merit Badge Requirements and workbook prior to the workshop. Requirements 8b parts 1 and 2 will be fulfilled by visiting the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum. Scouts should bring a camera or drawing materials.
BSA Railroading Requirements
BSA Railroading Workbook

Click here to register for BSA Railroading
