The PopCulteer
July 11, 2025

I’m still working my way through a backlog of cool content that your humble blogger accumulated during his travels in June, and today we’re going to show you what we saw in Washington, Pennsyvlania, on Father’s Day, just one day after The Marx Toy Show wrapped up. this was what I teased a week ago.

The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum is located in Washington, Pennsylvania, just South of Pittsburgh, and it’s dedicated to the operation and preservation of streetcars and trolleys. The museum contains historic trolleys from Pennsylvania,as well as examples from nearby Toledo, New Orleans, and even an open-sided car from Brazil. We were even surprised to see a Trolley that operated between Clarksburg and Fairmont, West Virginia there.

Many of the trolleys have been painstakingly restored to operating condition. Other unique cars either awaiting restoration or that are incompatible with the 5′ 2-1/2″ Pennsylvania trolley gauge track are on display in a massive trolley display building. You’ll see plenty of photos of that below.

The origin of the museum goes back to a group of electric railway enthusiasts who in 1949 acquired Pittsburgh Railways Company M-1, a small four-wheel Pittsburgh trolley. It and Pittsburgh Railways Company 3756 (a single-end low-floor car) and West Penn Railways Company 832 were stored for the group until 1954 in Ingram Car House by Pittsburgh Railways. since that time, the museum has grown, moved and expanded, and currently occupies a state-of-the-art solar powered building, on land with two separate operational trolley loops, one of which shuttles people to the Washington County Fair.

A special ride during the Christmas season includes a visit from Santa Claus. Following the success of the Santa Special, the museum has added events for Easter (Bunny Trolley) and a fall-season Pumpkin Patch Trolley.

The museum appeared in a 1984 episode of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, where host Fred Rogers takes a ride on and operates Philadelphia streetcar #5326.

A small theater runs a wonderful documentary on the history of the museum and features interviews and historical footage, as well as cool drone footage of the construction of the current facility.

This museum is, of course, loads of fun for kids who love trains and trolleys and all things transportation, but it’s also a treat for the nostalgia-afflicted fan of old-school transit, advertising and pop culture. There’s something here for everyone.

The Pennsyvlania Trolley Museum is just fun living history. It takes you back to a time when mass transit was maybe just a little more attractive to people. There’s also a very well-stocked gift shop with all kinds of fine trolley-centric knick-knackery.  For full information on tickets, hours of operation and special events, check out their website.

Even though buses edged trolleys out of existence, we were struck at how much the old Pittsburgh Trolley system resembled Chicago’s famed “L,” of which we are huge fans. I did shoot video, but I haven’t had time to look at it to see if it’s even usable.

In the meantime, check out these photos…

One of the Trolley cars we got to ride.

…and the other.

Just part of the gift shop.

One of the many interactive and educational displays.

On board with a conductor/docent telling us all about what we’re experiencing.

The maintenance shop, located in a former location of the museum, along one of the trolley loops.

Enter the interactive displays!

It was like Chuck E. Cheese for the train buff, minus the bad pizza.

Vintage trolley stop signs from actual trolley cars.

I’m never going to pass up a chance to grab a photo of Reddy Killowatt in the wild.

More Trolley history

What I think is a rescued wall, just outside the giant trolley barn/garage.

This one caught my eye (and I ran a photo of this last week). My dad was born in Shinnston!

Most of the restored cars have vintage advertising signs inside. These are a treat unto themselves.

An antique auto, provided for scale. I’m going to run several more photos of their amazing collection of trolley cars without captions because I’m horrible with names.

This was just a small portion of the cool collection of trolley cars at the museum. You really need to see it in person. For some reason, this one makes me thirsty.

Pulling into the station. We’re almost at the end of the line.

Well leave you with this familiar friend. Fred Rogers is a presence throughout the museum, and it’s a kick to spot his trolley in unexpected places.

That is this week’s PopCulteer. I hope you enjoyed the photos from our trips, and I apologize for taking so long to get these edited and posted. June was a bit crazy for us, schedule-wise. Remember to check PopCult every day for fresh content and our many regular features.