Pennsylvania Trolley Museum - Washington, PA - A Museum Dedicated to the Trolley Era

Located at 1 Museum Road in Washington, Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum is a museum that is dedicated to trolleys. It also includes several examples of restored trolleys. The museum was established in 1953, and its goal is to tell the story of the Pennsylvania Trolley Era through the interpretation, preservation, and use of an electric railway and railroad equipment collection.

The museum's trolley ride allows visitors to experience a 4-mile ride on a restored trolley. Visitors can feel the power of the electric motor while enjoying the scenic view. The clatter of the steel wheels on the rails and the clang of the trolley's bell add to the experience.

The Visitors Education Center includes a 12-minute video tape presentation that orients visitors to the Trolley Era. Pictorial exhibits are located in the Visitors Education Center, and they help visitors become more familiar with trolleys. The Visitors Education Center is also home to a museum store that offers a variety of souvenirs, memorabilia, books, and video tapes.

The Car House provides visitors with the opportunity to view historic trolleys that are from various different eras. Visitors can also learn how the vintage trolleys are rebuilt and restored to operating condition by volunteer craftsmen.

The Trolley Display Building Tour allows visitors to see and learn about 30 trolleys that are from Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. These trolleys are housed in a 28,000 square foot building, and visitors take a trolley ride to the building for the tour.

The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum is open to the public April through December. The museum's regular hours of operation are 10:00am to 4:00pm on Fridays and Mondays and 11:00am to 5:00pm on Saturday and Sunday. During the summer season, which normally runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day, the museum is open daily. Hours of operation during the summer season are 10:00am to 4:00pm on weekdays and 11:00am to 5:00pm on weekends. From January through March, hours of operation and services offered may change or vary. Information regarding hours of operation as well as any additional information about the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum can be obtained by calling 724-228-9256.

Regular admission pricing is $9 for each adult (ages 16 through 61), $8 for each senior (age 62 and up), and $5 for each child (ages 3 through 15). Children under three years of age receive free admission. Regular admission includes the Trolley Era orientation video, photographic exhibits, a tour of the Car House, and trolley rides. There is an additional fee for touring the Trolley Display Building. Tours of the Trolley Display Building are $4 per adult and $2 per child. This additional tour is only offered once a day at 1:15pm and lasts about one hour. It is recommended that visitors allow at least 90 minutes for the regular tour and a total of 2.5 hours for both tours.

An example of one of the trolleys owned by the museum is the Pearly Thomas #832, which is a New Orleans streetcar that was used on various lines in New Orleans. One of the lines that used this type of streetcar was the Desire line, which is mentioned in the film A Streetcar Named Desire.

Visitors are welcome to bring a packed lunch, and there is a shaded picnic area available onsite. Vending machines are also available.