Monongahela West Penn 250

On Display at PTM Trolley Display Building	Shopman shows off 250 after the car was "outshopped" in 1935 (Miller Library Collection, Photo © PTM)

Car #250 is a classic wooden interurban car built with arched stained glass windows and varnished woodwork by the Jewett Car Company of Newark, Ohio. It was a “combine” car, designed to carry both passengers and freight, and was used originally by the Monongahela Valley Traction Company (MVT). The MVT built a significant interurban passenger and freight business that ran from Rivesville, south through Fairmont and Clarksburg to Weston, on a system that connected both large and small towns in north central West Virginia. Later this line was purchased by West Penn Electric as the Monongahela West Penn System, and finally was owned by City Lines of West Virginia in 1944. #250 was used on a number of rail enthusiast trips and was donated to Shore Line Trolley Museum by City Lines in 1947.

PTM greatly appreciates the generosity of the Shore Line Trolley Museum in East Haven, CT for donating this car to PTM for preservation and interpretation. Car 250 is an important addition to PTM’s collection because it represents the classic small-town interurban car that was once common in the United States; it linked Clarksburg, Fairmont and Weston for 34 years. It joins another interurban car from the same company, car 274, and a 54-ton electric locomotive, #3000, already preserved at the Museum and on display in its new Trolley Display Building.  Car #250 will be refurbished, and PTM hopes to eventually operate the car on its two-mile long demonstration trolley line.

Click on the thumbnails below for larger photos (will open in new window):

MWP car #250 at Clarksburg, WV in June of 1941	At BERA, prior to the move to PTM, on August 10, 2005	#250's interior on August 10, 2005	#250 is lowered onto Philadelphia snow sweeper broad gauge trucks

Last updated October 24, 2010
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