I note that West Penn interurban # 832, Pennsylvania Trolley Museum's signature car (the number was once the museum's P. O. Box), is now undergoing restoration at Brookville Equipment Company. How fine!

Sloan

http://pa-trolley.org/roster.htm

How fine indeed! Although primarily a long-time steam fan, I've always been fascinated by the West Penn, and have always wanted to ride one or both of that company's cars that are preserved at what used to be called the Arden Trolley Museum.

The museum has really expanded since I first saw and rode on it in the late 1960s; you would hardly recognise it if you remember it from before.

That's terrific news. I've long been a fan of the Cincy curvesiders, expecially after learning of the history of Milwaukee's Speedrail lines.

Is the PTM looking for donations for this car?

Cheers,
Matt

The short answer is YES, we would be more than happy to have your tax deductible donation to the West Penn 832 project!

We at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum (PTM) are thrilled this project is now underway. West Penn 832 is the only Cincinnati curved-side streetcar and the only West Penn Railways streetcar to have survived intact and was one of the last curved-side cars built by the Cincinnati Car Company. It arrived at PTM as one of the our first three cars on February 7, 1954. The truck and motor work and some of the carbody work is being paid for by a Federal Transporation Enhancement grant. We are stretching these funds as far as we can and have raised approximately $20,000 in private contributions to help purchase materials that will be needed for the final fitting out of the car by our volunteers. Tax deductible donations can be sent to West Penn 832 Fund, Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, One Museum Road, Washington, PA 15301. I have attached a photo of the car arriving in 1954 and a recent photo of the car under restoration at Brookville Equipment.

Scott Becker
Executive Director
Pennsylvania Trolley Museum

G'day Scott,

I'll see what I can do. I'm guessing I'll need to send a bank cheque in US funds, as I'm in Australia? I can't promise much but I'd like to do my bit.

Cheers,
Matt

Scott, Matt, I bet you guys could work something through Pay Pal.

There was a posting on Trainorders.com showing WP 832 on a bridge over another Pittsburgh trolley line, on its way to the Museum in 1952 or 53. The PRys "interurban" line to Washington PA was about to be abandoned, but they kept it in service long enough for some of the museum cars to run to their new home. As I recall, the Connecticut Co. had a similar deal for the Branford group, keeping the line open long enough to run preserved streetcars to what is now the Shoreline Electric Ry. Museum.