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Just finished a great railfan week in Cresson, Pa at the Station Inn and as part of our festivities, five of us boarded the Pennsylvanian eastbound in Altoona and headed for Harrisburg for a quick turnaround day trip. The train was full with approx 220 passengers packed into the four coaches and lounge/business car. We all had to find a single seat of which there were a few left for the 50 or so that boarded at Altoona. Sat next to a nice college girl who was heading home to Harrisburg. She is pre-med, does work on Indian reservations in S. Dakota and attends U of Pittsburgh. We had a great conversation and saw some great scenery with the spring flowers and trees budding out. Arrived in Harrisburg on time, took some photos of the electric locos sitting at the platform and two very special cars (dome car and observation owned by a steel company) also waiting for a Saturday pickup by Amtrak. Had lunch across from the station and toured the area waiting for our westbound #43. Problems west of Philly caused 40 minute delay. Talked to the female conductor and her assistant on the platform as we waited for the train. Westbound not nearly as crowded. All of us were seated together in the first coach and had an enjoyable ride back to Altoona, arriving about an hour late. Saturday the two special private cars were seen on the rear of #43 as it headed to Pittsburgh. Had all of our railfan buddies out there at Cresson taking photos as it quickly passed. Amtrak-Horseshoe Curve-Big NS locos and sunny week- Yes, it was heaven in Pennsylvania.
Looking forward to next trip out west in late May. Railroad Bill
notelvis Member # 3071
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Thanks for your report. This train in it's present form generally doesn't attract the cross-country riders anymore.....I no sleeper, awkward connection time eastward at Pittsburgh, no dining car.....
It's nice to be reminded that the route still exists and is worthy of a ride again sometime soon. Maybe Amtrak ought to be reminded it still exists and is worthy of an extra coach!
sojourner Member # 3134
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Thanks for the report, RR Bill. Sounds like you had a great time. For those planning a ride on the Pennsylvanian: I enjoyed my trip across Pennsylvania on it about three years ago (I left from NYC, rode backward to Philly, then all the way across PA to Pittsburgh.) I did it in April too--very nice before the trees leaf in and block some of the water views. Scenery includes the Main Line towns, Amish farmers, the Susequehanna crossing at Harrisburg, riding along the river thereafter, Altoona, horseshoe curve. . . . Also some very depressed-looking areas, eg Johnstown, old mining areas, some polluted looking, all interesting. One place I visited in Pittsburgh was the U of Pittsburgh, to which your traveling companion was headed, Bill; very nice campus with a central tower around which there is a sort of quadrangle of what are called the "international rooms," restored old classrooms, each with a different ethnic decor. There was also a very cool model train at the science museum, which adjoings the art museum, as I recall. . . . Pittsburgh is a neat city, beautifully situated, lots to see and do; other highlights for me were Fort Pitt (there were 7 Years War reenactments that weekend), the Aviary, the Frick Museum (dined outdoors in the garden, day was lovely), Downtown buildings(inc train station, elegant hotel, dept store, sorry I've forgotten the names), baseball stadium. . . really, very nice town.
I took a NYC-to-Harrisburg train last spring to see the state capital, a really impressive one (almost too ornate), and walked along the Susquehanna to see the famous bridge I'd crossed over the time before.
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