The Metropolitan
OBS Chief
And so the day begins for me at 3:50am. This trip came together so fast, I didn't even really have a chance to really look forward to it. My previous trip to Pittsburgh was preceeded by a night of nervous anticipation, but on this morning, I barely want to come to. Low and behold however, I realize it's time to "get to gettin'" so I do my best to rise from my groggy stupor and get to moving. Outside, I can hear the rain falling, so I conclude it's only natural to be sleepy.
Wash up and pack the last bit of accessories into my survival kit, and I'm out the door at 4:45am to get the first #27 Southbound (due 5:02) in order to make my scheduled 6:07 departure on Amtrak's Northbound train #180. Today, I'll be using three trains to get to "The Burgh." This allows me to explore Harrisburg for a few hours, while also affording me a discount in booking it this way.
Our bus this rainy morning is #0270, a Northwest Division Neoplan. The ride is smooth, quiet, and uneventful, as it seems nearly all the dozen and a half riders aboard are in the same rain induced stupor at this early hour. John Street comes in quick time, and I'm off to trudge through the downpour towards Penn Station. Walking past old B&O Mount Royal, the sound of diesels beckons - a pair of CSX Geeps sit right in the former loading area, as if preparing for a passenger run to Cumberland - not so in this day and age.
I stumble into Penn Station at about 5:25am still a bit groggy from the soggy morning. The overpriced Coffee-Pastry stand is not open yet, but all the better, as I'm content to get some java from the train. I park at a convenient bench, and have a little fun with the digital camera this morning, snapping some video of my favorite station "furnishing" in action - the Solari Flapboard. I'm able to review this to figure out all the destinations, and all the status indicators that can display on this board....
Destinations:
NEW YORK
WASHINGTON
NEWPORT NEWS
BOSTON
PERRYVILLE
NEWARK*
CHICAGO
TRENTON*
PHILADELPHIA*
JACKSONVILLE*
SAVANNAH
MONTREAL*
STAMFORD
NEW HAVEN*
ATLANTA*
BALTIMORE
ORLANDO*
WILMINGTON*
TAMPA*
RICHMOND
CAPE COD*
CHARLOTTE
ST. PETERSBURG*
MIAMI
VERMONT*
ST. ALBANS VT
NEW ORLEANS
ATLANTIC CITY*
SPRINGFIELD
* not currently used regularly
(and there still looked to be about a dozen blank blinds that could be used!)
Despite the rain, the trains seem to be keeping good time so far this morning - my train is no exception. As I wait, I'm able to eavesdrop on a little "shoptalk" between the a couple of employees, and a customer rushing through. It seems there is talk of quite a few cuts in trains, including the train before mine, #170, due at 5:43. The passenger rushing through (may well have been another employee) confidently contradicts the employees "No cuts - no changes" before he ducks into Gate D to get a MARC train.
At 6:02, our train is called. Interestingly, almost simultaneously, #67, the one time "Twilight Shoreliner," is called for Boarding. The result is that there are numerous folks on the platform at the same time. Not a massive number, but a decent crowd. Both trains slide into the platform at the same time.
Interesting composition shot that caught my eye on the platform awaiting #180.
Our #180 is powered by two motors, and a string of about a half dozen cars. I stroll into a refurbished Coach Car and take a seat on the left side for the journey - most other times, I always sit on the right due to the view of Elmwood Trolley Yard and the Wilmington works, but to make the ride a tad different, I opt for the left.
Shortly after leaving, I ease up to the Cafe Car to work on my caffiene fix, then stumble back to my seat to absorb the fact that I'll be spending nearly the entire day on trains, as it still has not sunk in yet. Outside, the rain can still be heard spattering across the window glass, but outside there is next to nothing to see in the dim morning light.
This begins to change when we arrive at Aberdeen, and seem to pick up twice as many riders as we did in Baltimore - looks to be about 60! Soon enough, we're passing an inbound MARC train and jaunting across the Susquehanna, passing the old Perryville depot and the wye to the Port Road. As the light comes in, I decide to embark on a "wake up exercise," namely an attempt to recognize the old Elkton Station. We pass a short platform of about 50 feet with a small shelter right alongside a lower school, and about 6 minutes later an impressive brick depot that looks cared for, but in the dim light, I can't seem to find any markings to determine which stop is which. (later when looking online, I find that the nice brick station is Newark, DE).
We glide into Wilmington in good time, and pick up many more people here - I wonder to myself if these are Philly commuters who don't like the stop and go of the SEPTA trains or if they're bound for points further North. Leaving Wilmington, I notice three fully sanded Amfleet looking shells resting on a side track in a depression. They look like Cab Cars. Anyone know the story with these? Rebuilds for the Keystone project?
Soon afterwards, we pass Wilmington where any number of Amfleets can be seen, and what appears to be a Heritage coach in the mix. I'll have to make sure to get a pic next trip through here. The rest of the ride to Philly goes in no time. We pass Sharon Hill and very soon after, Island Avenue and its SEPTA streetcar pull out track. Right about the point where the West Chester line comes in, I guess around Grey's Ferry, I notice an obelisk monument standing on the slope next to the road bridge. After wondering what it was, I found the interesting story behind it...
http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/view.php?id=2189
All too soon, we're jostling out across the fan into 30th Street Station, pulling under the main building, and along the crowded platform. We seem to be right on time. I make my exit, and rise the steps into the waiting room of 30th Street Station. The station seems pretty lively on this dreary morning, though the rain has not seemed to have made it here yet. Walking past the Solari Board, I see that Amtrak is now running a new train, "THE PALMOTTO." I only hope it's a bad letter and not a spelling error.
I only have about 90 minutes in Philly before my Keystone leaves, but I still want to make my way to Center City to get breakfast from one of the little stalls on the street (sounds weird, but it's really tasty!). Usually I'd catch a trolley or the EL, but I'm in the mood for something different today. I make my way to the Upper Level and try to figure out where I should get an inbound train for Suburban Station. I climb the first stairway, and am met with an R5 Push-Pull set gliding in. It is now 7:21am. I board the center entrance car and stand for the short ride along the embankment and into the portal to arrive at Suburban moments later. Out the door I go, pausing only for a quick phone pic, then up the stairway to the mezzanine and out I go towards City Hall.
Suburban Station in Philadelphia - platform level is much brighter than 30th Street.
SEPTA shots while I await the Breakfast Hoagie.
I rise up to find myself right near Broad and Market, and see a stall just across the street. I place my order and snap a few pics while I wait. Still dog tired, I then take my order and descend into the "Plaza of the Homeless" to get a streetcar at 15th Street Station. Pick up a couple of tokens, and drop one in the turnstile - letting a #34 car pass by in the process. Right on its heels is a #11 though, and I climb through the center doors and plop down into a left side seat. The ride is quick one, and before long, my brief day of riding SEPTA has concluded.
Brief it was indeed. I'm back inside the station at 7:43am - a mere 22 minutes after I left. I realize I probably should have savored a few more Philly moments, but I'm still feeling tired and cranky, and I'd like to eat my breakfast. Later I stir a few times, and make a point to revisit the one side of the Solari sign, only to see that it's now reading "KEYSOONE" - bad letter. Guess that wouldn't have happened if they hadn't had to rename most of the trains "RegiOnals!" By this point, several trains show 10 minute delays, and one Acela Express is running 40 minutes down.
At 8:25, I notice a line beginning to form at my stairway, so being the antsy kind I am, I join it - turns out to be unneeded, as our train has plenty of space for all. We are allowed to descend a little after 8:35, and have to walk forward some to reach the rear of the train. Our train carries 4 cars, and I board the third car, an unrehabbed Amfleet I with the maroon interior.
#641 in the murk of 30th Street's Lower Level.
The Keystone would likely be the Northeast's Amtrak version of an "Accommodation Train." No reservations, no food amenties, just coaches and coach class. Our trip this morning will be a little less so, as we do skip a number of normal Keystone stops.
We actually seem to launch a minute early, but soon stop to allow a late EB Keystone clearance to pull into the station. It is parralleled by what appears to be the Carolinian, followed by the late Acela Express. After this little mini rush, we push off and make our way out the old main. I've opted to sit on the right for this journey.
At this point, I pick up my "companion" for this trip - namely SPV's Railroad Atlas for the Northeast. Since the sky is now lighted, I figure I can make small work of this journey by following along and looking for relics such as old rights of way and stations.
We straddle the old High Line, which has since lost its overhead wire, and coast forward towards Zoo Interlocking, which has certainly seen better days judging by the absence of the West to North wye known as "The Subway." Heading West, we merge with SEPTA's R5 line and coast past a number of local stops. Our speed is a bit leisurely, but this is a plus, as it allows me to take in the detail of the old stations. Most interesting to me are the long (original) lengths of many of the platforms. Many have since been "shortened" by simply installing a barrier blocking the extreme ends, which have gone unmaintained and gradually eroded. The old PRR stations such as Overbrook and Wynnewood still are of interest though, and I can usually get a decent look at them.
Gradually we pick up speed though, and work our way out the line more quickly. Along the way, we pass a few other Keystones, which like our own, are being pulled by diesels - no electrics yet! Our first stop is Paoli, which is brief, and seems to yield few exchanges. Downingtown is also made, but does not seem to involve any pickups or dropoffs.
Soon after, we leave SEPTA territory, and I delve into the SPV Atlas, enabling me to anticipate meetings with other secondaries, abandoned rights of way, and even a couple of stations. Most decrepit is the old station at what I assume to be "Vintage" Pennsylvania. It has a "Vintage" look alright - sort of like a pair of destroyed jeans marketed as "vintage!"
Our arrival in Lancaster drops off a few dozen people, and picks up one. It appears we're on the homestretch now. We skip Mount Joy and Middletown, but make the Elizabethtown stop in between, at which a few people alight. Shortly before Middletown we do pause before getting clearance to merge with the Port Road at "Roy."
Arrival in Harrisburg.
Our arrival in Harrisburg is made at about 10:45am at a low brick platform. This will be my first journey into this station, but nothing prepares me for it. I rise the steps and step into the Concourse, only to feel like I just stepped 80 years back in time! I had just been thinking earlier about how Philadelphia's 30th Street was likely my favorite Amtrak station due to its originality and busy-ness, but this station really does have its charms! Even neater are that all the platforms are BRICK - most YELLOW! This certainly would have been a neat station to have taken the since departed Northern Central to for transfer to points West.
Main Station Building at Harrisburg.
The Concourse at Harrisburg. The bench I'm on splits the concourse down the middle, with breaks.
Having ridden through Harrisburg's business district, but never really having explored it, I am off in somewhat new territory this morning to get a look at this town and its transit. I almost immediately see two buses that "run away" from me, so I set off to walk about and explore. After heading west towards the Susquehanna River and then North along the edge of the Capitol to return, I see nothing else transitwise. It is only after I continue West on Market Street some more that I encounter the Downtown Transfer Center.
I take a seat at a bench and await a photo op as a light rain begins to fall. It is going on 11:30am, and the dreariness of the day makes me realize that travelling ALONE, even if on a made-up adventure like this one, leaves a little to be desired. I've been out and about in civilization all day long interacting with people, yet it's been 6 hours since I've seen anyone I actually knew - that being the Bus Operator on my #27 this morning.
Wash up and pack the last bit of accessories into my survival kit, and I'm out the door at 4:45am to get the first #27 Southbound (due 5:02) in order to make my scheduled 6:07 departure on Amtrak's Northbound train #180. Today, I'll be using three trains to get to "The Burgh." This allows me to explore Harrisburg for a few hours, while also affording me a discount in booking it this way.
Our bus this rainy morning is #0270, a Northwest Division Neoplan. The ride is smooth, quiet, and uneventful, as it seems nearly all the dozen and a half riders aboard are in the same rain induced stupor at this early hour. John Street comes in quick time, and I'm off to trudge through the downpour towards Penn Station. Walking past old B&O Mount Royal, the sound of diesels beckons - a pair of CSX Geeps sit right in the former loading area, as if preparing for a passenger run to Cumberland - not so in this day and age.
I stumble into Penn Station at about 5:25am still a bit groggy from the soggy morning. The overpriced Coffee-Pastry stand is not open yet, but all the better, as I'm content to get some java from the train. I park at a convenient bench, and have a little fun with the digital camera this morning, snapping some video of my favorite station "furnishing" in action - the Solari Flapboard. I'm able to review this to figure out all the destinations, and all the status indicators that can display on this board....
Destinations:
NEW YORK
WASHINGTON
NEWPORT NEWS
BOSTON
PERRYVILLE
NEWARK*
CHICAGO
TRENTON*
PHILADELPHIA*
JACKSONVILLE*
SAVANNAH
MONTREAL*
STAMFORD
NEW HAVEN*
ATLANTA*
BALTIMORE
ORLANDO*
WILMINGTON*
TAMPA*
RICHMOND
CAPE COD*
CHARLOTTE
ST. PETERSBURG*
MIAMI
VERMONT*
ST. ALBANS VT
NEW ORLEANS
ATLANTIC CITY*
SPRINGFIELD
* not currently used regularly
(and there still looked to be about a dozen blank blinds that could be used!)
Despite the rain, the trains seem to be keeping good time so far this morning - my train is no exception. As I wait, I'm able to eavesdrop on a little "shoptalk" between the a couple of employees, and a customer rushing through. It seems there is talk of quite a few cuts in trains, including the train before mine, #170, due at 5:43. The passenger rushing through (may well have been another employee) confidently contradicts the employees "No cuts - no changes" before he ducks into Gate D to get a MARC train.
At 6:02, our train is called. Interestingly, almost simultaneously, #67, the one time "Twilight Shoreliner," is called for Boarding. The result is that there are numerous folks on the platform at the same time. Not a massive number, but a decent crowd. Both trains slide into the platform at the same time.
Interesting composition shot that caught my eye on the platform awaiting #180.
Our #180 is powered by two motors, and a string of about a half dozen cars. I stroll into a refurbished Coach Car and take a seat on the left side for the journey - most other times, I always sit on the right due to the view of Elmwood Trolley Yard and the Wilmington works, but to make the ride a tad different, I opt for the left.
Shortly after leaving, I ease up to the Cafe Car to work on my caffiene fix, then stumble back to my seat to absorb the fact that I'll be spending nearly the entire day on trains, as it still has not sunk in yet. Outside, the rain can still be heard spattering across the window glass, but outside there is next to nothing to see in the dim morning light.
This begins to change when we arrive at Aberdeen, and seem to pick up twice as many riders as we did in Baltimore - looks to be about 60! Soon enough, we're passing an inbound MARC train and jaunting across the Susquehanna, passing the old Perryville depot and the wye to the Port Road. As the light comes in, I decide to embark on a "wake up exercise," namely an attempt to recognize the old Elkton Station. We pass a short platform of about 50 feet with a small shelter right alongside a lower school, and about 6 minutes later an impressive brick depot that looks cared for, but in the dim light, I can't seem to find any markings to determine which stop is which. (later when looking online, I find that the nice brick station is Newark, DE).
We glide into Wilmington in good time, and pick up many more people here - I wonder to myself if these are Philly commuters who don't like the stop and go of the SEPTA trains or if they're bound for points further North. Leaving Wilmington, I notice three fully sanded Amfleet looking shells resting on a side track in a depression. They look like Cab Cars. Anyone know the story with these? Rebuilds for the Keystone project?
Soon afterwards, we pass Wilmington where any number of Amfleets can be seen, and what appears to be a Heritage coach in the mix. I'll have to make sure to get a pic next trip through here. The rest of the ride to Philly goes in no time. We pass Sharon Hill and very soon after, Island Avenue and its SEPTA streetcar pull out track. Right about the point where the West Chester line comes in, I guess around Grey's Ferry, I notice an obelisk monument standing on the slope next to the road bridge. After wondering what it was, I found the interesting story behind it...
http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/view.php?id=2189
All too soon, we're jostling out across the fan into 30th Street Station, pulling under the main building, and along the crowded platform. We seem to be right on time. I make my exit, and rise the steps into the waiting room of 30th Street Station. The station seems pretty lively on this dreary morning, though the rain has not seemed to have made it here yet. Walking past the Solari Board, I see that Amtrak is now running a new train, "THE PALMOTTO." I only hope it's a bad letter and not a spelling error.
I only have about 90 minutes in Philly before my Keystone leaves, but I still want to make my way to Center City to get breakfast from one of the little stalls on the street (sounds weird, but it's really tasty!). Usually I'd catch a trolley or the EL, but I'm in the mood for something different today. I make my way to the Upper Level and try to figure out where I should get an inbound train for Suburban Station. I climb the first stairway, and am met with an R5 Push-Pull set gliding in. It is now 7:21am. I board the center entrance car and stand for the short ride along the embankment and into the portal to arrive at Suburban moments later. Out the door I go, pausing only for a quick phone pic, then up the stairway to the mezzanine and out I go towards City Hall.
Suburban Station in Philadelphia - platform level is much brighter than 30th Street.
SEPTA shots while I await the Breakfast Hoagie.
I rise up to find myself right near Broad and Market, and see a stall just across the street. I place my order and snap a few pics while I wait. Still dog tired, I then take my order and descend into the "Plaza of the Homeless" to get a streetcar at 15th Street Station. Pick up a couple of tokens, and drop one in the turnstile - letting a #34 car pass by in the process. Right on its heels is a #11 though, and I climb through the center doors and plop down into a left side seat. The ride is quick one, and before long, my brief day of riding SEPTA has concluded.
Brief it was indeed. I'm back inside the station at 7:43am - a mere 22 minutes after I left. I realize I probably should have savored a few more Philly moments, but I'm still feeling tired and cranky, and I'd like to eat my breakfast. Later I stir a few times, and make a point to revisit the one side of the Solari sign, only to see that it's now reading "KEYSOONE" - bad letter. Guess that wouldn't have happened if they hadn't had to rename most of the trains "RegiOnals!" By this point, several trains show 10 minute delays, and one Acela Express is running 40 minutes down.
At 8:25, I notice a line beginning to form at my stairway, so being the antsy kind I am, I join it - turns out to be unneeded, as our train has plenty of space for all. We are allowed to descend a little after 8:35, and have to walk forward some to reach the rear of the train. Our train carries 4 cars, and I board the third car, an unrehabbed Amfleet I with the maroon interior.
#641 in the murk of 30th Street's Lower Level.
The Keystone would likely be the Northeast's Amtrak version of an "Accommodation Train." No reservations, no food amenties, just coaches and coach class. Our trip this morning will be a little less so, as we do skip a number of normal Keystone stops.
We actually seem to launch a minute early, but soon stop to allow a late EB Keystone clearance to pull into the station. It is parralleled by what appears to be the Carolinian, followed by the late Acela Express. After this little mini rush, we push off and make our way out the old main. I've opted to sit on the right for this journey.
At this point, I pick up my "companion" for this trip - namely SPV's Railroad Atlas for the Northeast. Since the sky is now lighted, I figure I can make small work of this journey by following along and looking for relics such as old rights of way and stations.
We straddle the old High Line, which has since lost its overhead wire, and coast forward towards Zoo Interlocking, which has certainly seen better days judging by the absence of the West to North wye known as "The Subway." Heading West, we merge with SEPTA's R5 line and coast past a number of local stops. Our speed is a bit leisurely, but this is a plus, as it allows me to take in the detail of the old stations. Most interesting to me are the long (original) lengths of many of the platforms. Many have since been "shortened" by simply installing a barrier blocking the extreme ends, which have gone unmaintained and gradually eroded. The old PRR stations such as Overbrook and Wynnewood still are of interest though, and I can usually get a decent look at them.
Gradually we pick up speed though, and work our way out the line more quickly. Along the way, we pass a few other Keystones, which like our own, are being pulled by diesels - no electrics yet! Our first stop is Paoli, which is brief, and seems to yield few exchanges. Downingtown is also made, but does not seem to involve any pickups or dropoffs.
Soon after, we leave SEPTA territory, and I delve into the SPV Atlas, enabling me to anticipate meetings with other secondaries, abandoned rights of way, and even a couple of stations. Most decrepit is the old station at what I assume to be "Vintage" Pennsylvania. It has a "Vintage" look alright - sort of like a pair of destroyed jeans marketed as "vintage!"
Our arrival in Lancaster drops off a few dozen people, and picks up one. It appears we're on the homestretch now. We skip Mount Joy and Middletown, but make the Elizabethtown stop in between, at which a few people alight. Shortly before Middletown we do pause before getting clearance to merge with the Port Road at "Roy."
Arrival in Harrisburg.
Our arrival in Harrisburg is made at about 10:45am at a low brick platform. This will be my first journey into this station, but nothing prepares me for it. I rise the steps and step into the Concourse, only to feel like I just stepped 80 years back in time! I had just been thinking earlier about how Philadelphia's 30th Street was likely my favorite Amtrak station due to its originality and busy-ness, but this station really does have its charms! Even neater are that all the platforms are BRICK - most YELLOW! This certainly would have been a neat station to have taken the since departed Northern Central to for transfer to points West.
Main Station Building at Harrisburg.
The Concourse at Harrisburg. The bench I'm on splits the concourse down the middle, with breaks.
Having ridden through Harrisburg's business district, but never really having explored it, I am off in somewhat new territory this morning to get a look at this town and its transit. I almost immediately see two buses that "run away" from me, so I set off to walk about and explore. After heading west towards the Susquehanna River and then North along the edge of the Capitol to return, I see nothing else transitwise. It is only after I continue West on Market Street some more that I encounter the Downtown Transfer Center.
I take a seat at a bench and await a photo op as a light rain begins to fall. It is going on 11:30am, and the dreariness of the day makes me realize that travelling ALONE, even if on a made-up adventure like this one, leaves a little to be desired. I've been out and about in civilization all day long interacting with people, yet it's been 6 hours since I've seen anyone I actually knew - that being the Bus Operator on my #27 this morning.
