ELECTRIC CITY TROLLEY MUSEUM NOW OPEN
New Vendor Joins Trolleyville
Darin Volpe -
Transquip Company, based in Chalfont Pennsylvania, is the newest store to open in Trolleyville. Specializing in Corgi die-cast streetcars, dioramas, and uniforms for operating personel at trolley museums, Transquip Company will surely meet the needs of a wide variety of people. Owner and founder Earl Johnson is a fourth generation retiree from the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company and its sucessors, the Philadelphia Transportation Company and the Southestern Pennsylvania Transportaion Authority. Upon retiring, Transquip became involved with Corgi Clasics as a dealer. Recognizing the desire of the public to display the PCC cars offered by Corgi, Transquip developed mini-dispay modules, which are complete in every detail. In addition to the streetcars, Transquip develops and markets a line of custom diecast trucks in several scales, and manufactures a complete line of motorman and cunductor uniforms and equipment for customers who are involved with the operating deparments of the various streetcar museums throughout North America.
Transquip is a somewhat unique, and welcome addition to the Trolleyville family. We are pleased to offer something for those people who are less modelers, and more general streetcar fans.
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Scranton, PA's Steamtown Gets A New Neighbor
George Huckaby -
Just in case there are some trolley fans who have been on another planet the last few years, Scranton unveiled its new Electric City Trolley Museum adjacent to the now famous Steamtown with a Grand Opening on April 18th. Mr. McFeeley from Mr. Rogers Neighborhood was on hand on April 20th and 21st to enhance the opening. On Friday, May 4th, Trolleyville got to visit the facility and report to you that it is worth visiting. Take your camera and plenty film or whatever media that you are using. When entering the facility you are greeted by a row of magnificent steam engines, including the Reading 4-8-4 that pulled some of the famous “Iron Horse Rambles” that occurred during the 1960s.
On one side of the huge parking lot is the entrance to Steamtown; on the opposite side is the entrance to Electric City.
Once inside, you soon realize that a first rate job has been done here. There is an excellent reception area, a small theater where a short film on the history of trolley cars is shown, a small bookstore and a children’s play area. A most interesting display is a Birney trolley in side which the floor has been cut away to show the underfloor equipment.
While we were there, Philadelphia Suburban Transportation Company Center Door Car was out on the line giving tourist rides. It is kept in the separate car barn along the tourist line. In the museum facility were Lehigh Valley Transit 1912 Jewett car 810, Philadelphia Transportation Car 5205 and Philadelphia Suburban Transit Cat 80, al undergoing major repairs or restoration.
This is an excellent method of familiarizing the younger generation with the marvelous form of transportation that existed in the United States during the first half of the 20th century. During our visit, there were several tour groups going through the museum. One of these groups was being guided through the facility by one of the many docents, Gus Connolly, shown below.
The museum will be presenting a “Living History” program during the months of July and August. At 2:00 P.M. each Saturday and Sunday, actors will re-enact the first trolley ride in Scranton, which took place on November 20, 1886. There will be plenty photographic opportunities considering that authentic period dress and artifacts will be used. So if you are in the area, don’t miss it. Meanwhile, if you desire more information on the museum, please view their web site, www.ectma.org.
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