Pa. Trolley Museum says ‘happy birthday’ to a 100-year-old streetcar
A barbershop quartet singing “Happy Birthday,” a cake and a crowd of over 60 people gathered in Chartiers, Washington County, to celebrate a 100th birthday party — of a trolley car, that is.
Pittsburgh Railway Streetcar #4398 was built in 1917, and a restored version is still running today.
The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum on Saturday commemorated the trolley and its role in World War I. More than 240 people attended the event, which included a parade of several of the museum’s trolley cars, a birthday party for car #4398 and a special presentation about WWI Posters.
Museum volunteer Arthur Ellis, 97, of Upper St. Clair, drove car #4398 and its visitors around Chartiers for the special occasion.
Mr. Ellis started volunteering with the museum on its opening day in 1954. He became its fifth-ever member, and he still visits several times a week to give tours and help out.
“I’d been interested in trolleys since I was 3 years old,” Mr. Ellis said. His love for the streetcar began after his aunt in Montpelier, Vt., took him on rides as a child. He continued to work with trolleys in his professional life, writing schedules for the Pittsburgh Railway and Port Authority.
When asked why he continues to visit the museum, Mr. Ellis answered quickly: “It keeps me out of mischief.”
“We’re a living history museum, and I think Art’s living history,” said Scott Becker, the museum’s executive director.
In addition to riding the trolley, visitors attended presentations by Judee Rooney, of Sewickley, on her personal collection of WWI posters.
She began collecting posters
“We’re a living history museum, and I think Art’s living history.” — Scott Becker, Trolley Museum executive director
as a way to decorate her house in the “Americana” style. When she happened upon one by famous American illustrator Howard Chandler Christy, she said she didn’t even know who he was. Now, he’s one of her favorite artists.
“Some of the images are just so beautiful — the vibrancy, the colors,” she said. “They just symbolize a lot of what patriotism is, of what Americana is.”
The presentation connected the physical trolley cars to the vital role that they played during the war effort. The streetcar was instrumental in maintaining local economies while soldiers fought abroad; trolley ridership peaked in 1918, the year WWI ended.
Kristen Catanese of Mt. Lebanon came to the trolley parade for the history and for her 1 1/2-year-old son, Theodore.
“He’s obsessed with all things trolley — trolley and train,” she said. “It’s wonderful that we have this in our area.”
When Mrs. Catanese said the word “trolley,” Theodore began to clap.
“It’s kind of a glimpse into the past,” said Mr. Becker. “You can actually feel the sway of the car.” Catherine Cray: ccray@post-gazette.com.