Pittsburgh Amtrak Station past, present and future

[choochoodood]

Not good. There are a very few short term spots. The place gets chaotic near train time. However, there is a large modern parking garage across the street in the "Grant Street Transportation Center" which is basically the Greyhound Station.

Do you know the cost of using the Transportation Center parking?

 

[Trollopian]

Do you know the cost of using the Transportation Center parking?

It's owned by the Pittsburgh Parking Authority, and rates and details are here: Grant Street Transportation Center. They look pretty reasonable to me unless you're leaving the car for a coupla weeks in which case you should probably get a friend or Uber to drop you off. And yes, it's directly across the street from Pittsburgh's shameful Amshack.

 

[joelkfla]

And yes, it's directly across the street from Pittsburgh's shameful Amshack.

From what I've seen, Ambasement would be a better description.

 

[jis]

According to a communication from Amtrak to the Western Pennsylvanians for Passenger Rail, Pittsburgh Station is getting a 48" High Level platform on the siding that is used by the Pennsylvanian, among other things, as part of its ADA upgrade.

 

[Sidney]

According to a communication from Amtrak to the Western Pennsylvanians for Passenger Rail, Pittsburgh Station is getting a 48" High Level platform on the siding that is used by the Pennsylvanian, among other things, as part of its ADA upgrade.

The Pittsburgh Amtrak station might be the worst of all the major cities. I always dread that four hour wait between the Pennsylvanian and the Capitol Limited, but that is my most direct route to Chicago.

 

[joelkfla]

According to a communication from Amtrak to the Western Pennsylvanians for Passenger Rail, Pittsburgh Station is getting a 48" High Level platform on the siding that is used by the Pennsylvanian, among other things, as part of its ADA upgrade.

The website says the station currently is fully accessible, albeit with a wheelchair lift for boarding.

 

[jis]

The website says the station currently is fully accessible, albeit with a wheelchair lift for boarding.

Here is the quote from Amtrak's communication with the WPPR:

The station structure is owned by Amtrak and the upper-level offices are leased. In March 2023, Amtrak started PIDS implementation at the Pittsburgh Station with expected completion in September 2023. Amtrak ADA Station Program (ADASP) is currently in design with a project scope that includes a new level boarding (48-inch) side platform, in-kind replacement of existing 8-inch side platform, accessible ticket & baggage counter, accessible restrooms, accessible waiting room, and accessible sidewalks to the station entrances. Additionally, Amtrak has projects that are being conducted to bring the station to a State of Good Repair and advance the station to accommodate the increased demand from the additional Pennsylvanian train in the future.

 

[Stremba]

The website says the station currently is fully accessible, albeit with a wheelchair lift for boarding.

That is probably true. There is no high level platform, but there is an elevator from the street/entrance level up to the track level, so with the lift to actually board the train, the station probably is compliant.

 

[joelkfla]

Here is the quote from Amtrak's communication with the WPPR:

Interesting. From Google street view, the sidewalk in front of the station does look challenging, with a rough brick surface, lampposts and street signs in the middle of it, and no or inadequate ramps. Because of heavy tree cover, I can't tell whether there's an accessible path from the parking lot to the little plaza at the nearby intersection. I'm planning a visit in July, and I'm prepared to ride my scooter down the street if necessary.

But the website says the platform, ticket office, waiting room, and toilets are already accessible. Perhaps they're not up the the latest standards.

 

[chadamfleetrailfan]

PGH serves both superliners (Capitol Limited) and amfleets (Pennsylvanian).

From when I've taken trains out of PGH, the both Capitol Limited and the Pennsylvanian used that middle platform as I'm assuming some of the other tracks have been abolished from the main line. I do know that the Capitol Limited uses an outer track and then backs in for the middle platform.

It would be interesting to see a higher platform for the amfleets and the other platforms remain at ground/track level.

 

[zephyr17]

The Pittsburgh Amtrak station might be the worst of all the major cities. I always dread that four hour wait between the Pennsylvanian and the Capitol Limited, but that is my most direct route to Chicago.

Indianapolis is a stronger contender for that title, too.

 

[jis]

Indianapolis is a stronger contender for that title, too.

And we shall not talk about the little town in Texas called Houston LOL Admittedly Indy is probably worse than that too.

Pittsburgh is nowhere near the worst.

 

[zephyr17]

And we shall not talk about the little town in Texas called Houston LOL Admittedly Indy is probably worse than that too.

Pittsburgh is nowhere near the worst.

Actually, I kind of liked the Houston station. Exterior is ugly as hell, but inside are displays of some cool SP memorabilia. Only got to see it because the Sunset was early so had time to take in the station, so I don't know how good the access is. I understand it can be a challenge to get to.

Beats the hell out of Indy, IMHO.

 

[Bob Dylan]

The Pittsburgh Amtrak station might be the worst of all the major cities. I always dread that four hour wait between the Pennsylvanian and the Capitol Limited, but that is my most direct route to Chicago.

While Pittsburgh and Indys Dungeons are bad,There are other Stations just as bad in Major Cities,for example San Antonio on the Sunset and Eaglette Routes!

 

[zephyr17]

While Pittsbugh's Dungeon is bad,There are other Stations just as bad in Mahjor Cities,for example San Antonio and Houston are 2 in Texas!

Yeah, San Antonio is definitely up there.

 

[jis]

PGH serves both superliners (Capitol Limited) and amfleets (Pennsylvanian).

From when I've taken trains out of PGH, the both Capitol Limited and the Pennsylvanian used that middle platform as I'm assuming some of the other tracks have been abolished from the main line. I do know that the Capitol Limited uses an outer track and then backs in for the middle platform.

It would be interesting to see a higher platform for the amfleets and the other platforms remain at ground/track level.

Here is the Pittsburgh Station track diagram. Now could you explain what is it that you were saying using track numbers?




This diagram is copied from the Capitol Limited PIP document circa 2010.

My understanding is that either Track 3 or 4 will get a high level platform. Capitol Limited uses Track 1. I don't know why it would need a backup move on a regular basis.

 

[frequentflyer]

Yeah, San Antonio is definitely up there.

Yeah. I am still confused how the TE is where it is today and not where it should be at the SP station

 

[railiner]

PGH serves both superliners (Capitol Limited) and amfleets (Pennsylvanian).

From when I've taken trains out of PGH, the both Capitol Limited and the Pennsylvanian used that middle platform as I'm assuming some of the other tracks have been abolished from the main line. I do know that the Capitol Limited uses an outer track and then backs in for the middle platform.

It would be interesting to see a higher platform for the amfleets and the other platforms remain at ground/track level.

I would like to see Pittsburgh go to all high level platforms, and the Capitol converted back to single level equipment.

 

[PaTrainFan]

Here is the quote from Amtrak's communication with the WPPR:

This work will overall make a major improvement. I can't believe it has taken until now to install the PIDS. There is just little that can be done given where the building sits and the seating being on the ground floor in a very tight footprint. No, the old Pennsylvania Station cannot be retrofitted again for use as a waiting room given the building is a living space. @Trollopian can tell us all about it. It would take many millions to do what we might ideally want. Believe it or not, there was a bit of an upgrade to the station a couple of years ago. It's a tad more pleasant than it once was.

 

[chadamfleetrailfan]

Here is the Pittsburgh Station track diagram. Now could you explain what is it that you were saying using track numbers?

View attachment 32522


This diagram is copied from the Capitol Limited PIP document circa 2010.

My understanding is that either Track 3 or 4 will get a high level platform. Capitol Limited uses Track 1. I don't know why it would need a backup move on a regular basis.

My apologies for the confusion on this. I stand corrected. I appreciate you providing the track diagram @jis. This makes a lot more sense.

 

[Trollopian]

No, the old Pennsylvania Station cannot be retrofitted again for use as a waiting room given the building is a living space. @Trollopian can tell us all about it. It would take many millions to do what we might ideally want. Believe it or not, there was a bit of an upgrade to the station a couple of years ago. It's a tad more pleasant than it once was.

Thanks, PaTrainFan, for the shoutout, and here's the link to my earlier post: Pittsburgh Amtrak Station past, present and future, with glorious vintage photo of Pittsburgh's, er, Pittsburg's*, Pennsylvania Station in the golden era of rail travel. Of course in Pittsburgh that would've been the sooty era of rail travel. But still.

* And for more on how Pittsburgh briefly lost its "h," see post at Indianapolis station.

 

[BlackDiamond]

Of course in Pittsburgh that would've been the sooty era of rail travel.

People often forget that what we call the "golden age" of rail travel for most people included riding in un air conditioned coaches with open windows pulled by steam engines.

 

[MARC Rider]

People often forget that what we call the "golden age" of rail travel for most people included riding in un air conditioned coaches with open windows pulled by steam engines.

Ah, yes. I remember many trips in the 1960s riding NEC trains with P70 coaches, not air conditioned, with open windows. Also the MP54 EMUs on the Paoli Local were similar. Not air-conditioned, and, in the summer, with the windows open, the ride was really noisy. Of course, being that the NEC was electrified, we didn't have to deal with sooty smoke and cinders coming through the windows. I did get a chance to experience that last summer on the Western Maryland, though, and the sulfurous tang of the coal smoke and the cinders in my hair were part of the experience. I can only imagine what big cities were like back in the day, when there were lots of coal-powered steam trains running through.

 

[joelkfla]

People often forget that what we call the "golden age" of rail travel for most people included riding in un air conditioned coaches with open windows pulled by steam engines.

Nostalgia puts rose-colored glasses on memories. I'm sure Main Streets in turn-of-the-century small town America weren't nearly as clean & pleasant as the ones in Disney parks.

 

[zephyr17]

Nostalgia puts rose-colored glasses on memories. I'm sure Main Streets in turn-of-the-century small town America weren't nearly as clean & pleasant as the ones in Disney parks.

They had a lot more horses than a couple of Disney horse cars with a dedicated staff to quickly police up the end result.

I always think of the muddy streets in Westerns. Those would not have been just mud.