The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum’s restored “Terrible Trolley” made its public debut on August 12, two years after the PCC streetcar arrived at the museum campus in Washington, Pa. The streetcar, former Port Authority of Allegheny County (PAT) PCC 1713, held a special place in Pittsburgh rail and sports history because it wore a unique livery to celebrate the Pittsburgh Steelers’ four Super Bowl victories in the 1970s, becoming a beloved symbol in the city. It was radio announcer Myron Cope who introduced the idea of the “rally towel” in 1975, which quickly became the team’s beloved “Terrible Towel” mascot.

The streetcar was built by the St. Louis Car Company in 1949 and originally operated on the Pittsburgh Railways’ (predecessor to PAT) Charleroi and Washington interurban lines. When the interurban routes were abandoned in the 1950s, Car 1713 was assigned to the truncated city streetcar lines. In 1980s, nine-year-old Kim Sever wrote to the mayor of Pittsburgh suggesting a trolley be painted in Steelers colors, celebrating their recent string of Super Bowl wins. That January, Car 1713 was painted in Steelers black and yellow with the words “Super Steelers” and “Super Bowl Champs.” The graphics were designed and applied by Chester Zygowski, who worked in PAT’s sign shop. The “Terrible Trolley” continued running into the 1980s and was briefly retired in 1988. In 1989, PAT rebuilt the car and operated it for another decade, wearing its standard white paint with green and yellow stripes.

Rear of Car 1713 carries “The Terrible Trolley” slogan. —Otto M. Vondrak photo

After its final retirement, the car was sold to the private Penn Ohio Electric Railway Association collection in Columbus, Ohio, and stored in a barn. While some initial work had taken place, the owner was unable to finish it before deciding to sell his property and move. PTM made inquiries and acquired the car in 2023. Torn down to the frame, Car 1713 was subject to an intense rebuilding and restoration that was completed in just two years, thanks to generous support from donors and volunteers. The museum secured licensing agreements with the National Football League, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Eamon Foundation to allow use of the football team’s logos and imagery.

This car will be part of the museum fleet offering shuttle service to the Washington County Fair August 9-16, 2025. The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum is open for the summer, Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit patrolley.org. 

—Justin Franz