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.

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.

Cincinnati, OH is infamously known as the home of the longest abandoned subway tunnel in the United States. Local historian Jacob Mecklenborg, author of Cincinnati's Incomplete Subway - The Complete History, will present on the project's genesis, construction, and abandonment, as well as 1930s-era proposals to convert the unused rapid transit line for use by the Cincinnati Street Railway. The presentation will include new photos and other information collected since the book's publication in 2010.

Celebrate the "New Roaring 20's" in style at our black-tie/Roaring 20's attire (optional) dinner on May 16! Presenting Sponsor: Wabtec Cost:           $250.00 Cocktails:    5:30 pm Dinner:        6:30 pm Dinner by Bella Sera Music by the Washington Jazz Society Speakeasy:  8:00 pm (included with dinner ticket) Join us […]

The Roaring '20's come alive at our Prohibition-era Speakeasy! Sponsors: Wabtec & Washington Auto Mall/The Falconi Family of Dealerships Cost:           $100.00 Enjoy whiskey samplings from Liberty Pole, Red Pump, B&B distilleries and others while exploring our beautifully restored streetcars in the Trolley Display Building. Be transported to the Trolley Era as […]

In the spring of 1971, the Pittsburgh streetcar system was a mere shadow of its former glory, and it was about to shrink even more. For a high school student visiting the city for the first time, however, what remained was intoxicating, with plenty of activity. This show follows a teenage Dave around the South Hills as he rode and photographed the tired-looking, but incredibly fascinating remaining routes. Featured subjects include the single-track, rush-hour only operation between Castle Shannon and Mt. Lebanon, which is now part of the PRT Red Line, and the hilltop lines in Beltzhoover, Allentown and Knoxville, which had just over half-a-year left to run.

Due to German destruction, many countries had an immediate need for railroad rolling stock, and transfers were made from the Allied military surplus stores located throughout Europe. Using various sources, including some that have only recently become available, Hans will present this often overlooked but very special chapter of railroad history.