The Pittsburgh LRV system is a fairly new entity. In previous times, PCCs ruled and traversed downtown on city streets. They then made their way across the Monongahela River on the Smithfield Street bridge and then through the Transit tunnel under Mt. Washington to South Hills Junction. Trolleys then split up and traveled into South Pittsburgh from that point.

The current LRVs travel through downtown in a rebuilt tunnel, part of which was an old RR connection across the river. A tunnel was hooked on to the old RR tunnel and doglegs into downtown. LRV routes have an option of going to Library or South Hills village via the Transit tunnel. There is also a Route 52 which bypasses the transit tunnel, and reaches South Hills Junction by traveling over the top via Arlington & Warrington Aves. The Library and South Hills Village routes are 42 & 47. The 42S is a South Hills Village via Beechview (street running in Beechview). The 47L is a Library via Overbrook.

The stations in downtown are Gateway Center, Wood Street, and Steel Plaza. The next station, First Avenue, is partially uncovered as the LRVs make their way to daylight. From there, the LRVs cross the old RR Panhandle Bridge, and down a ramp to Station Square. From there it's through the Transit tunnel to South Hills junction.

At the end of the Panhandle Bridge, there is a crossover and single track to the left for Route 52-Allentown cars. Route 52 terminates at South Hills Junction on a dual track that was the old connection to the Overbrook Line. Those tracks abruptly end at the crest of the hill. Route 42 then continues down a Busway, and over the Palm Garden trestle. This trestle is shut down for rebuilding at this time, so there is no 42S service running. A shuttle from Overbrook Junction 44S takes it's place. So everything is running via Overbrook (47L) as of this writing.

The stations on the 42S (when it gets back to normal) are, Palm Garden, Dawn Avenue, Traymore, Pennant, Westfield, Fallowfield, Hampshire, Coast, Belasco, Boustead, Shiras, Neeld, Stevenson, Potomac, Kelton and then Dormont Junction. The stations mentioned are all street running. From Dormont Junction, we go into a new tunnel and arrive at Mt. Lebanon, on the surface. Then on the surface, it's Poplar, Arlington, Castle Shannon. Next it's Overbrook Junction, where a connection to the Overbrook Line exists. 42S & 47L cars share the next few stations, Martin Villa, St. Anne's, Smith Road, and finally Washington Junction. At Washington Junction, the 42S turns off and passes Casswell, Highland, Santa Barbara, Bethel Village, Dorchester, and then climbs the hill to South Hills Village station. The main yards are located here, and cars can turn back by looping the yard.

The 47L leaves South Hills Junction and travels over a new double tracked right away, passing Boggs, Bon Air, Denise, South Bank, McNeilly, Killarney, Memorial Hall, and finally Willow, which has a walkway to Overbrook Junction on the 42S.After Washington Junction on the 47L, the stations are Mine 3, Hillcrest, Lindermer, Center, Lytle, Mesta, South Park Road, Monroe, Latimer, Sarah, Logan Road, King's School Road, Beagle, Sandy Creek, West Library, and the final station at Library. A roller coaster ride all the way through

Currently there are two types of LRVs in use. Siemens-Duewags are the older cars, and CAF are the new models. All the cars seem to have the same covering on the seats.

Truncated service is now running on all lines because of the Palm Garden Trestle work. The pocket schedule shows this well.