First glimpse of South Hills Junction.
The Junction is reached via the Mt. Washington Streetcar Tunnel, a dark and gloomy place before it was refurbished. Exiting the tunnel at the south portal if the bright light didn't temporarily blind you the Administration Building filled your view.
A Drake interurban car has just stopped at South Hills Junction and now heads from the sweltering heat of a July Sunday into the cool gloom of the trolley tunnel under Mount. Washington. Fred Schneider goes where others fear to tread, into the mouth of the tunnel. This picture was taken on a fan trip that Fred sponsored in 1958, so he could stop wherever he wanted.
Picture by Fred W. Schneider, III.
This photo from the PTM archives appears to be taken a little earlier. The 1700 PCC dates it after 1949 and, if that is a standard low-floor car in revenue service, it is probably before 1956 when most were scrapped. Notice the double-point turnout on the inbound side with girder rail running up to it, and the single point turnout outbound. Note also that switch is imbedded in pavement. From the angle it appears as though the photographer was not as brave as Fred, or not as smart, he appears to be leaning out of an approaching car to get the shot.
Reproduced with permission of The Miller
Library, Pennsylvania Trolley Museum.