I really like this trolley entrance.
On our recent visit to Pittsburgh, we made a last-minute diversion to the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum near Washington, PA. Truth be told, we always referred to Washington as “Little Washington” so as not to confuse it with Washington, D.C. I guess we weren’t concerned about Washington state. Anyway, we had a few extra hours, so a ride, a tour and a lot of trollies.
So many trollies, that I have more door photos than will fit today. I’ll do my best to describe them in the gallery (click to start a slide show and see the captions). I’ll finish-up on a future Thursday when I have time to toss in a little information about the museum. I’m still playing catch-up with this week.
Thursday Doors is product of Canada where doors are imported from around the world by Norm Frampton, Limited. If you want to view the current inventory, head to Norm’s showroom. Look at the doors on the main floor, then click on the blue frog for access to the warehouse. If you have doors to share, the frog will hook you up.
Trollies were used for passengers and freight. They mentioned getting this from a route that included Jane Lew,West Virginia, home of
West Virginia Mountain Momma 
This trolley is about 120 years old
This was a private trolley car that was built out for the owner of the line.
This car was taken out of service. It was later purchased by a man who turned it into a hunting cabin. He took it off its trucks and moved it into the woods.
This is the back (front?) door of the car that was turned into a hunting cabin.
This was one of the “modern” cars that had a center section that was lowered to make it easier for women to board in lady-like fashion.
Apparently, that’s what you’re supposed to do when you want a picture that looks good. Then again, I’m not sure I can bend like that.
This is a maintenance car
This was a trolley car that was drawn by horses or mules. If this operated in Pittsburgh, those had to be tough mules.
Those are some old trolley doors.
Heidelberg was in between the town we lived in and the town where my mother’s parents and our church were located. We drove through it several times each week.
The business end of the trolley we were riding in.
Track side storage.
This is an old “high car” Very difficult for women in the early 1900s to enter without committing the sin of showing their ankles.
Our ride
The museum building. It’s a short ride from the main building.
Workhorse engine
Too cute!
Beautiful doors! They’ve stood the test of time.
Doors on the trolley barn
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About Dan Antion
Husband, father, woodworker, cyclist, photographer, geek - oh wait, I’m writing this like I only have 140 characters. I am all those things, and more, and all of these passions present me with opportunities to observe, and think about things that I can’t write about in other places. I have started this blog to catch the stuff that falls out, overflows and just plain doesn’t fit the other containers in my life.
Wow, these are great – what a fascinating museum :-)
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Thanks Ruth. We’ve been to several trolley and railroad museums. This is one of the nicer ones.
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I’ve been to a trolley museum in Maine, but it has been a while. These are great doors, and I love the repurposing to a hunting cabin. That took some imagination. And, could Faith explain to several of us how to get into and out of that position without calling the Fire department? :-)
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Thanks for the laugh, Judy. Yeah, my wife says “you have to get down lower sometimes for a good photo” and I just wonder…
The tour guide told us that a man bought two old trolley cars and turned them both into cabins. Clever.
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Reblogged this on Blog Pad 2017.
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Thank you so much.
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You are welcome!
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They’re all great, Dan, but I think I like the horse-drawn trolley best.
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Thanks. I really like that, but the notion of horses or mules having to drag that thing up and down the hills in Pittsburgh makes me hope they fed those animals very well.
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I hate to see that – period, but I like the trolley and the doors.
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What a delight to see these trolley cars! The doors are beautiful, some with multiple colors and patterned windows and panels. Love the interior- gorgeous wood.
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I think that’s why I like seeing these so much, Jennie. The craftsmanship involved in making them and the degree of detail that they added. They were still trying to make money, but that really wanted to give the rider a great experience.
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Yes!
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In England, the term “trolleyed” is a euphemism for getting drunk. Plenty of trolleys in this post!
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Thanks for that, that’s funny. I guess I’ve been trolleyed according to both versions of English.
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So much to comment on!
1) LOVE this week’s intro to Norm’s Thursday Doors. You have such a knack for fun writing :)
2) the first photo of the baggage door with the old trunk in front is my favourite. That old trunk reminds me of the one my mom had when she immigrated from Holland after the war.
3) great photo of the interior of the trolley. Love all that wood seating … probably not overly comfortable though.
4) I can’t help but brag – I can still get down like Faith to get a photo. Somehow I suspect she does it with considerably more grace though ;)
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Thanks Joanne. The baggage door is a favorite. I wasn’t aware of how much trollies were used for freight. The seats were surprisingly comfortable.
As for point number 4, I’d say you clearly have bragging rights. Graceful or not, if you can do it, I applaud you.
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Thank you {with a curtsy ;) }
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Show off 🙂
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hehehe!!
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“Too cute!” You nailed it–it is adorable. I do love all the wood in the business end of the trolley. It is beautiful.
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Thanks Lois. The old cars are absolutely beautiful on the inside.
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Bravo! I think I like trolleys as much as you love trains, although am not able to indulge myself that often. I am happy to say I got to ride a trolley, movie style, in San Francisco once. There are trolleys in NOLA but that is usually a very hot, sticky affair. Still, the are so magical to me. Great post!
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I have a personal connection with trolleys, as I used to ride into the city with my mom. I was pleasantly surprised to hear (at the museum) that Pittsburgh’s current mass transit system (The T) is actually a trackless trolley. It’s now on my list of things I want to do the next time we visit.
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I can understand that deep connection and good memories. Always a new adventure awaits!
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Indeed
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You have to admire the craftsmanship. The doors could have been plain and utilitarian – but the designers chose to please the eye with panels.
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I think that’s what I am most impressed with. These cars had a rough life, and they held up very well to the elements AND they looked great. During the tour, we learned about the utilitarian aspects, but it was so cool to see how they managed to still make it visually appealing.
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Beautiful picture
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Thank you!
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My Pleasure Dan!!
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I love the idea of turning an old trolley into a cabin. I can imagine having one in my garden as a getaway for reading and drinking tea. And I feel sorry for those poor mules who had to drag that trolley. Crikey.
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Thanks Laura. Seriously, being a mule in Pittsburgh had to be the worst job ever! The car alone is heavy, and the hills are steep and frequent. Personally, I’d like the trolley car that was made into a private car for the owner. I could live in that.
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Those are beautiful and interesting doors, and history! I love the Trolley’s! I admit I now have the ding-ding of Mr. Roger’s Trolley in my head. :)
That Trolley that needed pulling by horses or mules is a gem! They must have been some big mules, or Clydesdale type horses.
We have old trolleys in San Francisco, they’re electric now. I just love their curved lines and contours and lovely shades of green and yellow, and of course the Cable Cars. The workmanship in those interiors is exquisite!
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Mr. Rogers is a Pittsburgh export to the larger community, too. I was never surprised to see him as a lover of trolleys. I wouldn’t want to be the mule that had to pull that trolley up those hills. There were times I worried about the electric trolleys not being up to the task. I love the craftsmanship in those older cars.
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I’m sure Mr. Rogers fell in love with the trolley’s in Pittsburgh and had to include one in his “neighborhood”. The Trolley, and his field trips were my favorite parts of his program. :)
Gosh, I hope they had 4 or 6 mules or horse to pull that car! A full load would be hard labor…going uphill torture!
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The tour guide said there were only two mules ! They had the yoke or whatever you call the thing they put around them, underneath the car.
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Oh my! I sure hope they had posh stalls, with lots of fresh hay, water, oats, and really good rub down at the end of the day.
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“The frog will hook you up” bwaaaaa – laughing my butt off :-D
I can still bend down like that but my knees snap, crackle, and pop on the way down. Then there’s figuring out the getting back up part which is way more challenging than it used to be.
Nice selection of trolleys and doors. The tiny trolley out on the grass is just adorable. Fun post Dan.
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Thanks Norm. I can get down to get those photos, but it was a tour, which meant we had to stay with the group. I couldn’t get back up fast enough.
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The trolley doors are delightful, Dan! I have had very few trolley rides in my lifetime, but I enjoyed each and every one. They have a trolley (not on a track) here in Appleton if you ever get this way and want a tour of the downtown and neighboring areas. Thanks for a fun post!
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I have to figure out a way to get out there, Mary. Riding the trolley into downtown with my mom is one of my favorite memories with her. I spent way more time with my dad, and he always drove everywhere. If you were traveling with my mom, you would choose trolley over her driving, any day of the week.
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Wow, much fun. What a great museum, whoever thought trollies could be so diverse!
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Thanks Vivky. They changed over time. The trolleys in the museum are from late 1800s to about the 1950s – 60s. They evolved a bit, but there’s a lot of similarity and still they all seem unique.
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Hi Dan – looks fun … lovely to have the carriages preserved for people to see … and what a great extra diversion to your trip … cheers Hilary
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Thanks Hilary. It was a fun tour and they had a lot of interesting cars on display.
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Beautiful selection, Dan. I love the horse-drawn trolley.
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The horse-drawn trolley is pretty cool. Thanks Jean.
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All of these look great, Dan. Glad you had some time to visit again.
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Thanks John. This one has been on the list every time we’ve gone to Pgh. We had a chance this time.
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I know how you like rails so I’m glad you got to do it.
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Great photos, Dan. That looks like so much fun and they’re just beautiful.
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Thanks! It was a fun tour.
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Splendid doors today, Dan! I shall sing “clang, clang, clang went the trolley” the rest of the evening now! Heh.
I love the yellow custom one, but then I love the gray weathered one with the smooth wooden doors on the back or front, and then your ride :)
Also, that old baggage! Niiiiiice!
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“Ding ding ding went the bell” It’s hard to have a favorite. I really like the arched door on the trolley that was pulled by miles. Poor mules.
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Yeah, they’re all splendid :)
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I love the beautiful art pieces that just happen to provide transportation! We have a trolley system here – the cars are bright red, but they are nowhere as lovely as the ones in your pictures. I think my favorite one is mini “225.”
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Thanks. That’s a great way of describing it.
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I took a trolley in San Antonio. It was nothing like being with Mr. Rogers. Ha…
So cool, Dan
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Ha ha. I’ll be there at some point next year. Maybe I’ll get to ride 😏
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I liked your lead off picture with the sign, “Safety Always.” The nice antique trunk on the step up into another trolley was really a nice set up for a picture opportunity. The best part was you knew the young woman taking her own photo, Dan. ;)
Gosh, I liked the Westview 10 photograph with the tour guide in his trolley cap, like an engineer might wear. My Mom used to ride an electric trolley from Middletown down to Cincinnati. It is more than a 30 mile stretch. Just wondering how long a trolley route might run in distance?
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Thanks Robin. Some of these spread out over long distances or offered the ability to transfer to other systems. We were actually on a tour with a group of children from Ohio. It was fun.
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Great display of trolleys! The orange one almost looks like a train! In Holland there are more tams than trolleys. My son who lives in the Hague, has his room right (2nd story, so it’s no that noisy) in front of a tram. He kind of likes it.
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I think I would like that too! Thanks. These were know as inter-urban railroads. I was surprised to learn that they carried freight.
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Carrying freight …that’s new to me!
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You have really treated us this time, Dan. Great photos of doors and wonders on the rails. Thanks for sharing.
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You’re welcome. I was worried that I’ve featured trolleys and rail cars too often. But, I can’t resist.
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Great photos as always! This is a really interesting museam! :)
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Thank you. It was s fun tour.
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Reblogged this on Ancien Hippie.
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Such fun, Dan! I liked seeing inside the trolley you rode. And the little bitty one is too cute. However, I’m infatuated with the yellow one. :D Hmmm… maybe my faery-verse needs a yellow trolley…
Have a wonder-filled weekend. Hugs!
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I have other trolley pictures, including some full shots of the yellow one. Just in case.
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You’re so kind. :D :D
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Wish I would have visited this museum while living in Pgh. It is on my list for when I return. So happy to read about this…
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I grew up there and this was the first time I’ve been, so don’t feel bad.
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Too many Washington(s) :)
What a gorgeous gallery of doors. I was happy about my little train station from North Carolina the other day. Your trolleys are spectacular.
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Thanks Evelyne. You can’t have too many trains or trolleys.
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I just took a trolley ride down in SF – such fun but they didn’t clang! Did your’s clang?
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Ours made lots of noise but no distinct clang.
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Ah the doors! Love those today! Thanks for sharing them!
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I’m glad you liked this.
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