Trolleyology: The Terrible Trolley-ology

Join PTM staff, volunteers, members, and friends of the Museum for our Zoom series, Trolleyology! These programs feature Pennsylvania transit history topics, stories of our collection, and tales of the Trolley Era that you can experience from home. Registration is required but free of charge. Donations support our programming and are welcome and encouraged.

Presented by Jeanine DeBor, Michael Buchta, and the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum staff

From a handwritten letter by a 9-year-old girl to one of Pittsburgh’s most recognizable streetcars, the story of The Terrible Trolley is deeply rooted in the city’s pride, passion, and love of football.

Join Jeanine DeBor and Michael Buchta of the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum along with other PTM staff for a program that traces the full Pittsburgh story of PCC car 1713. Discover how a young fan’s idea helped transform an ordinary interurban streetcar into a rolling symbol of team spirit during an era of Steelers dominance, capturing the imagination of riders and football fans across the region.

This program goes beyond the headlines to explore how the trolley first received its unforgettable paint scheme, the journey to track it down years after it left service, and the painstaking restoration work that returned it to its former glory. Along the way, you’ll get an insider’s look at the intersection of transit history and sports culture in Pittsburgh, and how a “terrible” trolley became a beloved piece of the museum’s collection.

When: Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at 7 PM ET

A Zoom link will be sent to you in a confirmation email after registration. For those who have registered by 12 PM on the day of the program, a reminder email will also be sent with an easy-to-click link to join the Zoom.

If you do not receive a confirmation email with the Zoom link, please reach out to Kristen Fredriksen at kfred@patrolley.org.

Note: This program will be recorded and shared at a later date on the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum's YouTube channel.