Pennsylvania Trolley Museum in Chartiers, Washington County, houses early 20th century public transportation that need tender loving care.
Everybody visiting on the weekend sees the charming uniformed operators and gift shop workers. But during the week is when the magic happens, and it’s dirty work. There’s a constantly evolving list of which trolley needs what maintenance and when. If a part needs to be replaced, they just can’t order one from a catalog. There are no trolley parts stores. The needed part must be salvaged, adapted or created.
Former West Penn Railways No. 832 plied the company’s Valley Lines from New Kensington to Aspinwall until the 1936 flood wreaked havoc on the line, pushing service into extinction. The car was transferred to the West Penn lines in Westmoreland and Fayette counties, where its service life ended.
It has been under restoration for several years. The body has been recreated and painted in the distinctive West Penn orange. Matching color for historical accuracy is important. For you Pittsburgh Railways Co. fans, those PPC cars that closed out the company’s service aren’t just red and crème. They’re Mountain Ash Scarlett and Picador Creme, thank you. You can find pristine restorations of the trolley your grandparents rode to Downtown at this museum.
The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum is at 1 Museum Road, just off North Main Street in Chartiers, across from the Washington County Fairgrounds. It is open Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Santa trolley rides are Dec. 5, 6, 12 and 15. 724-228-9256. www.patrolley.org.