The original "terrible trolley" is back in the Pittsburgh area! Originally numbered 1713 it was one of the cars overhauled and renumbered into the 4000 series. I rode on most of the PCC's with the wild paint schemes in 1977. PTM has an astounding amount of things going on. Trolley street, a $12 million plus project is moving along nicely now. Other new facilities are coming on-line. There is a couple thousand feet of new and or completely renewed track. All equipment has indoor storage! It's a wonderful time at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum!

For those of you who don't follow sports, the Pittsburgh Steelers are more than just the local football team. They are virtually a religion in Western Pennsylvania. Those yellow "Terrible Towels" you see the fans waving at games were the brainchild of a local sportscaster. After the Steelers had won their fourth Super Bowl, the towels led a young girl to the inspired idea of a "Terrible Trolley", which was quickly embraced by local government, the transit authority, and the Steelers. The car appeared in its Black & Gold colors within weeks of the youngster's letter to the mayor. I can certify that it was a real head-turner when running along the streets in Downtown Pittsburgh during the early 1980s.

The 1713 was later repainted in other schemes, but Pennsylvania Trolley Museum has been authorized to recreate the Terrible Trolley by both the Steelers and the charitable foundation that licenses the Terrible Towels. You can learn more at the Museum's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pennsylvaniatrolleymuseum

It's worth noting that car 1713 was never actually a 4000 series car. It instead was only partially rebuilt - largely a rewiring project. That made it a "Super Seventeen" - one of several cars so treated in the wake of another streetcar's runaway on the steep grade of the Mount Washington trolley tunnel - a wreck attributed to failed wiring.

The body of 1713 will still require a substantial amount of structural repair, in addition to being repainted in the Terrible Trolley colors. Preliminary work has already begun, spearheaded by a corps of young volunteers who weren't even alive when the Steelers won that fourth ring.

/s/ Larry
Lawrence G. Lovejoy, P.E.

Congratulations to PTM! What a creative way to build awareness and visitation through something that more than just rail enthusiasts can relate to.

Great to see another project with strong youth involvement as well.

Sincerely,
Matt Nawn

Regarding young volunteers at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, from my perspective having been there for 49 years, I have to keep reminding myself that the kids now are no dumber than we were at their age.
At PTM one can qualify for public operation at 18. Recently I kept track of the crews on operating cars one Saturday, and found that the average age was 19 (of the crew members - not the cars)... until a 73 year old guy came by as motorman on a charter group car.
It's a great 'problem' to have.

Dan Bower, Manager, Way and Track

Myron Cope’s son went to a school for autistic people. Part of the proceeds from Terrible Towels supports the school.

Can testify that when PTM says “We’re planning to…” they usually mean “the plans are drawn up, the funding is ready and it’s about to happen.”

And even the right-of-way is historic. Part of the PTM Main Line was Pittsburgh Railways' Main Line to Washington (PA}. The first three cars arrived under their own power over the PRCo Washington Line. The curving line up the valley past the County Fairgrounds is a PRR branch.

BTW, ALL the major pro sports teams in Pittsburgh (Steelers, Pirates, Penguins) use black and gold as their team colors.

Phil Mulligan

Having grown up in Western PA, it took me a while to realize that other cities didn't have teams with common colors!

p.s.- We also don't believe that professional basketball exists, since we have no team. :)