The Rockhill Trolley Museum is the oldest operating trolley museum in Pennsylvania.
“Operating” being the important distinction here, as this is a museum where you get to ride the exhibits!
History of the Rockhill Trolley Museum
Started in 1960, the Rockhill Trolley Museum collects, restores, and operates electric streetcars, or trolleys.
That collection includes cars from many Pennsylvania cities including Johnstown, York, Scranton, and Philadelphia.
There are also cars from cities as far away as San Diego.
And from countries as far away as Portugal and Brazil!
Riding the Streetcars at the Rockhill Trolley Museum
Riding the electric streetcars at the Rockhill Trolley Museum is like taking a trip back in time to the early 1900s, when this form of transportation enabled individuals to travel for work, shopping, and socializing in an era when few people owned automobiles.
Trolleys departing from Rockhill follow a 3 mile (one-way) ride into the Blacklog Valley, along tracks leased from the neighboring East Broad Top Railroad.
One great feature of the Rockhill Trolley Museum is that when you buy a ticket to ride, you are buying an all-day pass, good for as many rides as you care to take!
Along the route you’ll pass the ruins of the Rockhill Iron Furnace, which last operated in 1907.
After a brief pause at the end of the line, the trolley reverses course and returns to the station.
Exhibits at the Rockhill Trolley Museum
While the streetcars are the big draw at the Rockhill Trolley Museum, there are more traditional exhibits inside the Museum Store.
A poster signed by trolley aficionado and Pennsylvania legend Mister Rogers caught my eye.
And what museum would be complete without a gift shop?!
The car barns near the museum store are where the streetcars are refurbished, serviced, and stored when not in use.
How to Find the Rockhill Trolley Museum
The Rockhill Trolley Museum is located at 430 Meadow Street, Rockhill Furnace, PA 17249.
For the latest on hours, admission prices, and special events, visit the Rockhill Trolley Museum’s official website.
Nearby Attractions
As mentioned earlier, the East Broad Top Railroad is literally right across the street from the Rockhill Trolley Museum.
And as with the Rockhill Trolley Museum, the East Broad Top Railroad offers train rides, shop tours, and a wealth of historical exhibits.
Trough Creek State Park in Huntingdon County is home to many beautiful natural attractions, including waterfalls, unusual rock formations, and scenic overlooks.
The 1000 Steps in Huntingdon County is one of the most famous (and challenging) hikes in central Pennsylvania!
Saint Mary’s Covered Bridge is the last remaining covered bridge in Huntingdon County.
Raystown Lake in Huntingdon County is home to four magnificent scenic overlooks.
Indian Lookout in Huntingdon County is perched high above the former Colerain State Park, now part of the Rothrock State Forest.
Greenwood Furnace State Park in Huntingdon County features a six-acre lake, miles of hiking trails, and the remnants of a ghost town and iron furnaces.
Related Attractions
The Allegheny Tunnel (known originally as the Summit Tunnel) in Gallitzin (Cambria County) was the longest railroad tunnel in the world at the time of its completion, at 3,612 feet.
Completed in 1854, the Allegheny Tunnel is still in use to this day, and the Gallitzin Tunnels Park next to it is a popular spot for railfans to congregate and watch trains enter and exit this historic tunnel.
The World-Famous Horseshoe Curve was considered one of the “engineering wonders of the world” at the time of its completion in 1854.
In conjunction with the Allegheny Tunnel mentioned above, the Horseshoe Curve allowed trains to cross back and forth over the steep Allegheny Mountains, something that had been impossible before 1854.
Did you enjoy this article?
If so, be sure to like and follow PA Bucket List on Facebook, Instagram, and/or Pinterest to stay up-to-date on my latest write-ups about the best things to see and do in Pennsylvania!
Click on any of the icons below to get connected to PA Bucket List on social media.
