After fighting colds and having to revise our trip to exclude a visit with my wife's cousins in Edgewood, Maryland, we decided to take off on Friday November 1 for Philadelphia. We had a good drive on I-80 as the wind and rain had subsided and the sun came out when we crossed into Pennsylvania. The mountains were very colorful and the traffic was minimal. Stopped at the PA Welcome Center for a break and to walk around. Breakfast #2 at Burger King and lunch at McDonalds before we finally reached the PA Turnpike Northeast Corridor south of Wilkes Barre. Lots of construction on this road, but traffic moved swiftly and we managed to get to the I-476 outerbelt before rush hour developed.
We arrived at our hotel, Hampton Inn Philadelphia Airport, around 4:45 just beating the big Philly rush hour. We stayed here for the Gathering last year and found it to be a nice place, friendly staff, and great free breakfast. Had dinner next door at Ruby Tuesdays and then rested up for our excursion ride on Saturday.
Kirk (Kaybee) was staying at the Hampton also, so we had breakfast together and then walked over to the Eastwick station. Took the SEPTA rail from Eastwick to 30th St Station and met the rest of our AU gang at the head of the line for the train. Among those members attending were Jishnu, Alan and his mother, Grace, Penny, JonCorbett, Acela150 and his father, Charlie, Mike from Boston, Betty AmtrakBlue, Anthony, Rafi, Trogdor and several others who I did not get a chance to meet. About 20 or so AU members made the journey. There were 17 cars and approximately 840 passengers on the Saturday train and the Sunday one had an equal number of riders, so hopefully, Amtrak made some money.
We were boarded around 8:15am and with considerable ease. ( It helped being at the head of the long line) We all got to sit in one car so that worked out well. The train pulled by two heritage locomotives, left on time at 9am. We proceeded down the Corridor via Wilmington to Perryville, Maryland, where we stopped briefly to allow NS pilots to board the train. We then moved northward along the east bank of the Susquehanna River, known as the Port Road Branch, through many small towns full of well-wishers with cameras who wanted to record this unique Amtrak experience. We passed through the historic village of Port Deposit, a series of rapids that thwarted the explorations of Capt. John Smith, through a couple of small tunnels and past some large bridges, and eventually crossing the Shocks Mill Bridge, before moving north toward the huge NS Enola Yards.
The staff of Amtrak’s administrative offices served as coach crews and were very friendly and efficient. The nice woman who served our car was all smiles as she distributed meal bags, and picked up the trash several times throughout the trip. Although the intercom did not work well in our coach, several members of the staff came through the car and narrated some important historical information about areas we passed by. Everyone received a nicely printed itinerary sheet with points of interest, mileage markers, etc, which helped to follow our route.
Our conductor was a jovial guy who went out of his way to wish us a good trip experience. Thanked us for traveling with Amtrak. There were two café cars spaced evenly throughout the consist, as well as a private car housing some high level Amtrak officials on the rear of the train.
The staff brought around our lunches in specially insulated Amtrak leather bags that were a good souvenir and kept the sandwiches, fruit, chips, cookie and water in good order. The café cars had some nice souvenirs including pins, hats, posters, magnets and other items for sale. Beautiful sunny day and lots of tree colors. We moved later across the Rockville Bridge where friend Keith Latimer of Bridgeview B&B had a large group of people on his B&B porch waving at us as we went by. Moved past the Harrisburg Station, but made only a brief stop there. We then moved south along the river on the east side again toward Columbia, Pa. Went past the 3 Mile Island nuclear power plant, which is an eerie site from the past. Turned east at Columbia and went through Amish country to Lancaster and then on the Keystone Route back to Philly. A nice seven-hour trip on the train. Had supper at 30th Street station with Kirk and then rode back to our hotel on the SEPTA line again.
Sunday morning we slept in a little with the time change and then had breakfast and headed out for Gaithersburg, Maryland. Another nice day and traffic was not too bad. Arrived in G Burg around 11am. A decent crowd at the railroad show, but not that heavy. We stayed at the show until around 1pm and then drove north and west along I-270 and 70, hitting a few antique malls along the way. Our destination was Frostburg, Maryland where we stayed the night at another favorite Hampton Inn. We always have dinner at a nice restaurant in Lavale, Md called D'atris. Great lasagna and special sub sandwiches highlight the bill of fare. Monday morning we had breakfast, stopped at another antique mall and then off toward Ohio. Lunch at Eat N Park in St Clairsville, Ohio and some beautiful scenery as we arrived home around 4:30pm. A big surprise was gas prices had reduced to $3.00/gallon while we were gone.
. Our cat was glad to see us and we had now completed our last of three fall Amtrak rides for this year.
Thanks to Amtrak for a great train ride in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware and to all the AU Gang for another pleasurable exchange of friendship. PS. Sorry about my out of focus images...But you know who you are :giggle:
We arrived at our hotel, Hampton Inn Philadelphia Airport, around 4:45 just beating the big Philly rush hour. We stayed here for the Gathering last year and found it to be a nice place, friendly staff, and great free breakfast. Had dinner next door at Ruby Tuesdays and then rested up for our excursion ride on Saturday.
Kirk (Kaybee) was staying at the Hampton also, so we had breakfast together and then walked over to the Eastwick station. Took the SEPTA rail from Eastwick to 30th St Station and met the rest of our AU gang at the head of the line for the train. Among those members attending were Jishnu, Alan and his mother, Grace, Penny, JonCorbett, Acela150 and his father, Charlie, Mike from Boston, Betty AmtrakBlue, Anthony, Rafi, Trogdor and several others who I did not get a chance to meet. About 20 or so AU members made the journey. There were 17 cars and approximately 840 passengers on the Saturday train and the Sunday one had an equal number of riders, so hopefully, Amtrak made some money.
We were boarded around 8:15am and with considerable ease. ( It helped being at the head of the long line) We all got to sit in one car so that worked out well. The train pulled by two heritage locomotives, left on time at 9am. We proceeded down the Corridor via Wilmington to Perryville, Maryland, where we stopped briefly to allow NS pilots to board the train. We then moved northward along the east bank of the Susquehanna River, known as the Port Road Branch, through many small towns full of well-wishers with cameras who wanted to record this unique Amtrak experience. We passed through the historic village of Port Deposit, a series of rapids that thwarted the explorations of Capt. John Smith, through a couple of small tunnels and past some large bridges, and eventually crossing the Shocks Mill Bridge, before moving north toward the huge NS Enola Yards.
The staff of Amtrak’s administrative offices served as coach crews and were very friendly and efficient. The nice woman who served our car was all smiles as she distributed meal bags, and picked up the trash several times throughout the trip. Although the intercom did not work well in our coach, several members of the staff came through the car and narrated some important historical information about areas we passed by. Everyone received a nicely printed itinerary sheet with points of interest, mileage markers, etc, which helped to follow our route.
Our conductor was a jovial guy who went out of his way to wish us a good trip experience. Thanked us for traveling with Amtrak. There were two café cars spaced evenly throughout the consist, as well as a private car housing some high level Amtrak officials on the rear of the train.
The staff brought around our lunches in specially insulated Amtrak leather bags that were a good souvenir and kept the sandwiches, fruit, chips, cookie and water in good order. The café cars had some nice souvenirs including pins, hats, posters, magnets and other items for sale. Beautiful sunny day and lots of tree colors. We moved later across the Rockville Bridge where friend Keith Latimer of Bridgeview B&B had a large group of people on his B&B porch waving at us as we went by. Moved past the Harrisburg Station, but made only a brief stop there. We then moved south along the river on the east side again toward Columbia, Pa. Went past the 3 Mile Island nuclear power plant, which is an eerie site from the past. Turned east at Columbia and went through Amish country to Lancaster and then on the Keystone Route back to Philly. A nice seven-hour trip on the train. Had supper at 30th Street station with Kirk and then rode back to our hotel on the SEPTA line again.
Sunday morning we slept in a little with the time change and then had breakfast and headed out for Gaithersburg, Maryland. Another nice day and traffic was not too bad. Arrived in G Burg around 11am. A decent crowd at the railroad show, but not that heavy. We stayed at the show until around 1pm and then drove north and west along I-270 and 70, hitting a few antique malls along the way. Our destination was Frostburg, Maryland where we stayed the night at another favorite Hampton Inn. We always have dinner at a nice restaurant in Lavale, Md called D'atris. Great lasagna and special sub sandwiches highlight the bill of fare. Monday morning we had breakfast, stopped at another antique mall and then off toward Ohio. Lunch at Eat N Park in St Clairsville, Ohio and some beautiful scenery as we arrived home around 4:30pm. A big surprise was gas prices had reduced to $3.00/gallon while we were gone.
. Our cat was glad to see us and we had now completed our last of three fall Amtrak rides for this year. Thanks to Amtrak for a great train ride in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware and to all the AU Gang for another pleasurable exchange of friendship. PS. Sorry about my out of focus images...But you know who you are :giggle:
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