- Amtrak
- Pennsylvanian
- New York*Philadelphia*Harrisburg*Pittsburgh
-
- ROUTE
GUIDE
- Pittsburgh
* New York
-
- Welcome Aboard.
You are
traveling on board the Pennsylvanian. While on board,
you will be experiencing the utmost comfort and service in train
travel and witnessing some of the East's most spectacular scenery.
- All of us at
Amtrak are proud to have you aboard today, and want to ensure
your trip is everything you want it to be in train travel. If
you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask one of
your friendly on-board service staff.
-
- The Fun Starts
Here.
There is a lot to see and do aboard the Pennsylvanian,
from relaxing, socializing with family and friends, to enjoying
a delicious light meal.
- We invite you
to join fellow passengers in the Lounge Car. Play some cards,
make new friends, enjoy time with your family. Let the Lounge
Car be your place for games, conversation and good times! And
most of all - have fun!
- Souvenirs. Don't forget to ask
you Lounge Car attendant about the complete line of souvenirs
available on board. Take home one of our unique gifts to remember
your journey.
-
- The Pennsylvanian
carries you
between downtown Pittsburgh and New York, but it's the Pennsylvania
experience that gives you this route its character.
- In eastern Pennsylvania,
you travel through the gently rolling hills of Pennsylvania Dutch
country, where you might spy a horse and buggy waiting at a grade
crossing, or see a modern-day barn raising. Watch for mule-drawn
plows, hex signs over doors and other Old Order Amish practices
unique to this region.
- Get ready for
the mountains-a ride you'll remember-because in the western part
of the state, the Pennsylvanian travels through some of
the most spectacular, dramatic mountain scenery in the East.
You'll also be equally incredible marvels of engineering, such
as the famous Horseshoe Curve, where the tracks wind in a half
circle, and the Gallitzin tunnels, which pierce the summit of
the Allegheny Mountains.
- So for convenient
daily service between New York, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh-and
spectacular scenery along the way-make the Pennsylvanian
your first choice.
- This guide is
written, from west to east. in most cases noting how many minutes
past the previous Amtrak station you can expect to see a practicular
sight and whether you should look right or left. The first time
reference tells you how far that point is from Amtrak station
to the west: the second time, how far it is to that Amtrak stop
to the east.
- Pittsburgh Modern Pittsburgh is
known as a City of "Firsts." Synthetic insulin was
first developed here, as was the first polio vaccine. The nation's
first independent research and robotics institutes opened in
Pittsburgh, and the first all-aluminum sky scrapper was built
here. The University of Pittsburgh's football team was the first
to put numbers on their jerseys, and the Steelers were the first
team to win four Super Bowl trophies. The original city lay between
the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers, which join here to form
the Ohio River.
- Greensburg This was the birth-place
of steel and coke magnate Henry Clay Frick.
- Latrobe This town was named after
Benjamin Latrobe, the architect who designed the south wing of
the U.S. Capitol of Washington, D.C. Latrobe is also home to
golfer Arnold Palmer and a Rolling Rock beer. For the next 37
miles, you will follow portions of the Pennsylvania Railroad,
into Johnstown, site of the Infamous 1889 flood.
- Johnstown In 1889, this city was
devastated by a flood when a dam to the east burst during heavy
rains. The rushing water demolished the city and surrounding
towns, killing more than 2,000 residents within ten minutes.
From here to South Fork, today's railroad follows the path of
the rampaging flood. Seasonally, National Park Service Guides
provide a narrative of the history of the area between Johnstown
and Altoona.
- East Conemaugh
/ Franklin The
white water tower to your right marks this Johnstown suburb,
where a strange drama was played out the afternoon of the flood.
When railroad engineer John Hess heard the roar of waves, he
looked back and saw a menacing 40-foot wall of water racing towards
his train. Hess opened the throttle, tied down the whistle and
raced into town, giving people enough warning to get higher ground
before the flood struck.
- Little Conemaugh
River As
the flood waters advanced, they followed this 14-mile valley,
where the height of the water varied from 40 to 80 feet. A cloud
of dark spray hung over the front of the wave, called the "Death
Mist" by flood survivors. For the next 39 miles, you will
follow portions of the Pennsylvanian Railroad, the Old Allegheny
Portage Railroad and the New Portage Railroad. These railroads
were originally part of the Maine Line of Public Works, a complicated
system of railroads, canals and inclined planes designed to travel
the mountains. After passing through the New Portage and Gallitzin
Tunnels, you will circle around the world-famous Horseshoe Curve
and on into Altoona.
- Horseshoe Curve
(51 Min./19
Min.) Since its opening in 1854, this segment of the railroad
has been recognized as a marvel of engineering and landmark tourist
attraction. For the best view, peer from the right side of the
train as you head east.
- Altoona It was here that the
nation's first all-steel cars were produced; and here, too, that
the renowned Pacific K-4 Passenger Steam Locomotive made its
debut in 1914.
- Harrisburg Pulling into the station,
you'll see the State Capitol dome on your right, modeled after
St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.
- Royalton/Three
Mile Island (13
Min./25 Min.) Look for the four huge cooling towers that mark
Three Mile Island, site of a near-disaster with nuclear power
in 1979.
- Lancaster Lancaster was the capitol
of Pennsylvania between 1799 and 1812. Outside of Philadelphia,
it is one of the oldest communities in the state. It was even
the capital of the United States for a day in 1777 when Congress
moved in an attempt to escape the British. Nearby is the historic
Strasburg Railroad, which still operates old-time steam equipment.
It is one of the oldest chartered short-line railroads in the
United States.
- Gap / Amish
Country (22
Min./28 Min.) The Amish are a unique religious sect whose way
of life stems from a belief in simplicity. They avoid "worldly"
influences, especially modern conveniences such as electricity,
automobiles, and indoor plumbing. The Amish are characterized
by their somber black or gray clothing. The married men wear
long beards and wide-brimmed hats; the women wear plain long
dresses and bonnets. You may also people riding about in horse-drawn
carriages.
- Philadelphia
In addition
to being a hotbed of history with attractions including Independence
Hall, the Liberty Bell and the Betsy Ross House, modern Philadelphia
offers great shopping, wonderful museums and beautiful parks.
As you leave the station, watch for Boathouse Row on your left.
After dark, the houses are lit with beautiful Christmas-like
lights. On the right is the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
- Newark The train crosses the
Passaic River at the Newark station. The draw-bridge, 230 feet
in length, is one of the longest spans of its type in the world.
- The Meadowlands
(8 Min./9
Min.) Beyond the ridge on the right, you can see Manhattan's
magnificent skyline distinguished by the Empire State Building
and twin towers of the World Trade Center.
- New York From the lights of Broadway
to the heights of Wall Street, the breathtaking Statue of Liberty
to the stately Metropolitan Museum of Art, the posh shopping
along Fifth Avenue to the clubs in Greenwich Village, New York
is loaded with attractions. No matter where you go or what time
you go out, you'll find New York is truly "a city that never
sleeps" - an exhilarating, exciting destination at any time
of the year.
- Scenic
Photo Tips
- Scenic Spots: Your train passes many
beautiful and interesting sights. The "camera" symbol
on your Route Guide Map marks the best spots, so have your camera
ready!
- Outside
Shots: Medium-speed films (ASA 64 or higher) are recommended
for shooting scenery through the train windows. If your shutter
speed is adjustable and lights conditions permit, set it at a
higher speed (1/125 or 1/250 sec.) for the clearest results.
Hold your lens close to the window to eliminate glare or reflections.
- Inside Shots:
Flash is recommended. To avoid glare and reflections, do not
point the flash directly at the windows.
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