After a successful trip to New England in April, we decided to venture out to New York to see the new Moynihan Train Hall and a brief visit to Washington DC to evaluate the changes that have occurred since January 6.
We began at our CLE station after a 1.5 hour drive from home. The station was relatively empty with fewer Amish riders and a scattering of passengers waiting for the three trains that would soon arrive between 2-4am. A new agent since our last visit and the old station continues to show its age.
Our Capitol Ltd arrived about 30 minutes late and we made our way to the rear coach for a lower level trip to PGH. Our conductor suggested that there was more room upstairs but we opted to stay in LL since wife has some issues now with stairs and our luggage rack was completely full.
LL Coach was completely full but some nice people moved to single seat so we could sit together in the front seat. More leg room and place to put our luggage.
A quick 2.5 hour ride to PGH and except for the extra noise of sleeping passengers and a few with some medical issues, we made it to PGH just half hour down.
The PGH station was having some major reconstruction involving the escalator so unless you can handle the very long flight of stairs to get to the basement waiting room, you must wait on the small and slow elevator to transport you down. With a number of CL passengers transferring and those already ticketed on the Pennsylvanian 42, the waiting room was nearly full. Not much has changed about PGH. There are no restaurants close by, especially at 5am and a long row of vending machines didn't produce much that would work for breakfast. The construction crews were up early and they kept the noise level somewhat busy. There is a block across the stairway to the upstairs so you cannot wait on the platform until the train is called at 7:15am. I decided to take a walk up the street and enjoy some fresh air on the street without a mask and enjoy watching the buses and commuters moving about the downtown.
At 7:15 a boarding call led to a mass exodus up the stairway. I decided to carry our two bags up the stairs while my wife took the elevator. Wanted to get seats on the south side of the train since scenery is better (Horseshoe Curve, other points). We were in BC and it was filling fast but I did secure those two seats after a brief heart attack going up those stairs....smiles
We left PGH right on time at 7:30 and were greeted by a friendly conductor and announcements regarding mask requirements, including how you would be detrained if you failed to comply. The cafe car was just behind our car and thus I made my way back for a couple of breakfast Jimmy Dean sandwiches, a blueberry muffin, and some juice. Drinks are included in your fare, so the total for the morning was $13 + tip to the excellent attendant who moved quickly and efficiently to keep the line going.
I have traveled via land to this part of central PA many times for our railfan trips to Johnstown, Cresson and Altoona so it was nice to see some familiar territory as our trips were all cancelled in 2020. Did not look like the Johnstown lift was operating, but plenty of passengers getting on at the many stops along the way. Passed our Station Inn B&B in Cresson and through the Gallitzin Tunnel before seeing the remains of a giant derailment of Fedex trailers a few miles west of Horseshoe Curve. Crews still working to clean up the area although the tracks were put back in service rather quickly. We were lucky that no freights were on Track 1 as we passed the Curve so we had a great view of the park and old locomotive. The conductor on the intercom gave a brief history of the area as we passed.
We arrived in Altoona a few minutes late and then passed the large NS Juniata Shops that produced steam engines in its day and still services diesel units in its large service buildings. We soon reached the headwaters of the Juniata River and followed it off and on as we moved east. We arrived in Harrisburg in good time and were given some time to walk the platform while crews were changed there. A few Keystone trains were present that operate on the electric lines overhead. Our P42 #121 continued to operate under diesel power until exchanged for electric in Philadelphia.
Conductor announcement that we would add 100 more passengers in Harrisburg and Lancaster and that single seat passengers should move together to allow for families with children to sit together. Business class on 42 are not reserved seats and thus these moves can take place more easily. There was general compliance in our car as we added new riders.
I would say about 90% of passengers complied with the mask rules. Some had the mask below their nose and were reminded again that all masks were to be worn over the mouth and nose. No one was forced to leave in our car. Not sure how things were going in coach.
After a nice trip through Amish Country, we arrived in Philadelphia about half hour down. We had a brief stop to change engines but could not leave the train. Also I had forgotten that we would now be moving up the corridor in the opposite direction; thus we rode backwards to NYP. Not a problem for me but some passengers have issues riding backwards.
We made good progress up to Trenton and Newark and saw the NY skyline appear after a pleasant ride through the industrial east coast. We were excited to see the new Moynihan Train Hall and after some long walks to find the proper elevator to the surface. (There were yellow markers on the platform to guide one to the proper stairways and lifts. ), we arrived in the middle of the station. WOW! What a beautiful station. Not that crowded for 5pm, but plenty of space to spread out compared to the old dungeon of Penn Station. I took some photos and enjoyed the experience but it was time to get to our hotel.. Fairfield Inn on 33rd Street, Walked up the ramp to the 8th Avenue & 33rd corner and now its New York City...lots of people moving about. I pulled our two pieces of luggage down the street and people were very pleasant and polite. A large majority had masks on, even outside, and it was good to be back in the Big Apple again.
Our hotel was right across the street from the train station and thus convenient without using other transportation. Lobby was friendly and as a Marriott member we were welcomed and they explained the key system. Our room on the 8th floor faced 33rd St so we could watch the traffic in and out of the station.
Decided to take a walk around the streets and found the Tick Tock Diner on the corner that looked inviting. Service was very good and friendly. Had a couple of sandwiches that were huge with some waffle fries. Lots of memorabilia on the walls. I believe our Amtrak Unlimited Gathering group ate here during the NY Gathering a few years ago that I missed. Certainly plenty of room available for large groups to congregate. After a long day on the train, we decided to call it an evening. Some great views of the Empire State Building...
We began at our CLE station after a 1.5 hour drive from home. The station was relatively empty with fewer Amish riders and a scattering of passengers waiting for the three trains that would soon arrive between 2-4am. A new agent since our last visit and the old station continues to show its age.
Our Capitol Ltd arrived about 30 minutes late and we made our way to the rear coach for a lower level trip to PGH. Our conductor suggested that there was more room upstairs but we opted to stay in LL since wife has some issues now with stairs and our luggage rack was completely full.
LL Coach was completely full but some nice people moved to single seat so we could sit together in the front seat. More leg room and place to put our luggage.
A quick 2.5 hour ride to PGH and except for the extra noise of sleeping passengers and a few with some medical issues, we made it to PGH just half hour down.
The PGH station was having some major reconstruction involving the escalator so unless you can handle the very long flight of stairs to get to the basement waiting room, you must wait on the small and slow elevator to transport you down. With a number of CL passengers transferring and those already ticketed on the Pennsylvanian 42, the waiting room was nearly full. Not much has changed about PGH. There are no restaurants close by, especially at 5am and a long row of vending machines didn't produce much that would work for breakfast. The construction crews were up early and they kept the noise level somewhat busy. There is a block across the stairway to the upstairs so you cannot wait on the platform until the train is called at 7:15am. I decided to take a walk up the street and enjoy some fresh air on the street without a mask and enjoy watching the buses and commuters moving about the downtown.
At 7:15 a boarding call led to a mass exodus up the stairway. I decided to carry our two bags up the stairs while my wife took the elevator. Wanted to get seats on the south side of the train since scenery is better (Horseshoe Curve, other points). We were in BC and it was filling fast but I did secure those two seats after a brief heart attack going up those stairs....smiles
We left PGH right on time at 7:30 and were greeted by a friendly conductor and announcements regarding mask requirements, including how you would be detrained if you failed to comply. The cafe car was just behind our car and thus I made my way back for a couple of breakfast Jimmy Dean sandwiches, a blueberry muffin, and some juice. Drinks are included in your fare, so the total for the morning was $13 + tip to the excellent attendant who moved quickly and efficiently to keep the line going.
I have traveled via land to this part of central PA many times for our railfan trips to Johnstown, Cresson and Altoona so it was nice to see some familiar territory as our trips were all cancelled in 2020. Did not look like the Johnstown lift was operating, but plenty of passengers getting on at the many stops along the way. Passed our Station Inn B&B in Cresson and through the Gallitzin Tunnel before seeing the remains of a giant derailment of Fedex trailers a few miles west of Horseshoe Curve. Crews still working to clean up the area although the tracks were put back in service rather quickly. We were lucky that no freights were on Track 1 as we passed the Curve so we had a great view of the park and old locomotive. The conductor on the intercom gave a brief history of the area as we passed.
We arrived in Altoona a few minutes late and then passed the large NS Juniata Shops that produced steam engines in its day and still services diesel units in its large service buildings. We soon reached the headwaters of the Juniata River and followed it off and on as we moved east. We arrived in Harrisburg in good time and were given some time to walk the platform while crews were changed there. A few Keystone trains were present that operate on the electric lines overhead. Our P42 #121 continued to operate under diesel power until exchanged for electric in Philadelphia.
Conductor announcement that we would add 100 more passengers in Harrisburg and Lancaster and that single seat passengers should move together to allow for families with children to sit together. Business class on 42 are not reserved seats and thus these moves can take place more easily. There was general compliance in our car as we added new riders.
I would say about 90% of passengers complied with the mask rules. Some had the mask below their nose and were reminded again that all masks were to be worn over the mouth and nose. No one was forced to leave in our car. Not sure how things were going in coach.
After a nice trip through Amish Country, we arrived in Philadelphia about half hour down. We had a brief stop to change engines but could not leave the train. Also I had forgotten that we would now be moving up the corridor in the opposite direction; thus we rode backwards to NYP. Not a problem for me but some passengers have issues riding backwards.
We made good progress up to Trenton and Newark and saw the NY skyline appear after a pleasant ride through the industrial east coast. We were excited to see the new Moynihan Train Hall and after some long walks to find the proper elevator to the surface. (There were yellow markers on the platform to guide one to the proper stairways and lifts. ), we arrived in the middle of the station. WOW! What a beautiful station. Not that crowded for 5pm, but plenty of space to spread out compared to the old dungeon of Penn Station. I took some photos and enjoyed the experience but it was time to get to our hotel.. Fairfield Inn on 33rd Street, Walked up the ramp to the 8th Avenue & 33rd corner and now its New York City...lots of people moving about. I pulled our two pieces of luggage down the street and people were very pleasant and polite. A large majority had masks on, even outside, and it was good to be back in the Big Apple again.
Our hotel was right across the street from the train station and thus convenient without using other transportation. Lobby was friendly and as a Marriott member we were welcomed and they explained the key system. Our room on the 8th floor faced 33rd St so we could watch the traffic in and out of the station.
Decided to take a walk around the streets and found the Tick Tock Diner on the corner that looked inviting. Service was very good and friendly. Had a couple of sandwiches that were huge with some waffle fries. Lots of memorabilia on the walls. I believe our Amtrak Unlimited Gathering group ate here during the NY Gathering a few years ago that I missed. Certainly plenty of room available for large groups to congregate. After a long day on the train, we decided to call it an evening. Some great views of the Empire State Building...
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