Search Railroad Sites For:

Heading East with a stop in Pittsburgh to ride the Monongahela Incline

I worked another long hard day at McFadden Intermediate but this time didn't go straight home. I got my hair cut and ran a few errands before I finished up packing. My mother then drove me down to the Santa Ana Amtrak Station. I said hello to Marti, my excellent night time Amtrak agent, before I made my way over the Pedestrian Bridge with my luggage.

Metrolink 686 for Irvine came into Santa Ana first today.

This train came in with Surfliner Cab Car 6908, Superliner Coach 31021, Coach Coach 6405, Coach/Cafe 6351, Pacific Business Class 6801 with engine 452. I boarded and relaxed downstairs for the trip to LAUPT.

We stopped at Anaheim and then had a red signal at CP College, the former Tustin branch of the Southern Pacific before we rolled towards Fullerton and our final sprint into LAUPT.

I walked down, over and up to Track 12 to find a waiting Southwest Chief. This train had engines 99 and 80, Baggage 1172, Transition 39010, Sleepers 32088 Iowa and 32097 New Hampshire, Diner 38024, Lounge 33019 and Coaches 34041, 31033 and 34050. I boarded the New Hampshire having Room 4 with Paul Wilson as my Sleeping Car Attendant.

After setting up my room, I went outside for a quick station picture. I next put on Rainbow "In Europe".

We left LAUPT on time and I got a 8:15 PM Dinner Reservation before we passed the MTA Subway Yard with downtown Los Angeles behind.

The view looking southwest from the flyover across the Los Angeles River.

Interesting sky as we headed to Fullerton.

A fresh air stop at Fullerton with changing sky colors. After Fullerton at 8:15 PM I was called in for dinner and was seated with Ron and Judy heading to Raton then onto Colorado Springs. I had the Pork Chop and Sweet Temptation Chocolate Cake. After dinner it was "Rush In Rio" for the climb over Cajon Pass. After Summit I called it a night.

4/6/07 I woke up east of Flagstaff and headed to the dining car for French Toast and sausage patties. I was seated with a reader of my stories on Trainweb from Triangle, Virginia and Ross and Cynthia from La Habra. Cynthia is making here first long distance train trip ever. After breakfast it was more of "Rush In Rio" as I read the USA Today as the train sped towards New Mexico.

An Arizona morning. Once into New Mexico I took a nap that lasted until Rio Puerco.

An interesting butte. My watch gave up the ghost last night so I would have to find a replacement in Chicago tomorrow. Due to our late running we came to a stop at Isleta to wait for the New Mexico Railrunner.

New Mexico Railrunner 509 for Belen.

BNSF 6704 at Isleta.

Once the New Mexico Railrunner had past, we crossed the Rio Grande River before we arrived into Albuquerque. After a nice long and warm servicing stop, we departed Albuquerque at 1:51 PM {12:40 PM}. I put on that final CD of "Rush in Rio".

Clouds draped over the mountains north of Albuquerque.

Another view as we neared Lamy. At East Lamy we met the westbound Southwest Chief in the siding there. For the trip through Apache Canyon and over Glorieta Pass I rode in the Lounge Car. Back in my room, I put on Alice Cooper "Billion Dollar Babies". Later, we crossed a very full Pecos River. The Rolling Stones "Exile on Main Street" was my next musical selection on this very gloomy afternoon.

A gloomy New Mexico Day.

The old stable foundations of Fort Union. At 5:30 PM over the PA System it was heard, "This is Sam, everyone's favorite Dining Car Steward calling all 5:30 Dinner Car Reservations in for Dinner!" I was seated again with Ross and Cynthia along with Chris heading to Chicago. I repeated last night's dinner having the Pork Chop and Chocolate Cake.

I finished up dinner just before we arrived into Raton for a very cold fresh air break. Back inside my warm room, I put on Jethro Tull "Stand UP" for the trip up and over Raton Pass into Colorado.

Snow as we descended Raton Pass. I took a hot shower as we descended towards Trinidad. I put on ABBA "More Gold" as the day turned into night. I called it a night before La Junta prior to bouncing across Kansas all night.

4/7/07 During our trek into BNSF Argentine Yard, I went to the Dining Car and was seated with Glen and Karen Copper of Milwaukee. Karen has been involved with the program "Tracks Ahead" that deals with all sorts of topics about railroading. They were out of French Toast so it was Frosted Flakes. We were joined by Reg Miller going to Flint, Michigan. I finished up right before we arrived into Kansas City on a cold windy morning.

Southwest Chief at rest at Kansas City.

Freight trains continued their march as our train was serviced in Kansas City. After we had escaped Kansas City, I went to the rear door to document our trip across the Missouri River Bridge east of Sibley where I plan to break the 1,000,000 rail mark on April 27th, 2007.

A Santa Fe signal bridge as we slowly made our way across the Missouri River floodplain as we followed a BNSF freight.

One of the gentle curves on the floodplain.

The old Santa Fe Station at Sibley, Missouri

The railroad goes to single track at Sibley for the crossing of the Missouri River.

Starting out onto the Missouri River Bridge.

The spot where I will pass the 1,000,000 rail riding mark if all goes right on that trip.

If I could be at the back door this is what I would be seeing. I will be occupied with a major onboard celebration so I got to enjoy the view on this trip.

A beautiful river on a beautiful day!

It is one long impressive bridge.

The tracks curve to expose the fantastic Missouri River Bridge.

Later we got by that BNSF freight running on the NS line BNSF uses. I went back to my room for Jethro Tull "Benefit" followed by the Scorpions "Eye II Eye".

The La Plata station stop interrupted the music as this is where I will detrain on the Million Mile Rail Trip on April 27th, 2007 for a two night stay at the Depot Inn and a major celebration here.

Ray Burns of Trainweb.com and Trainparty.com came down to the station to see me come though on a very cold Spring Day.

The brand new Train Viewing Platform in La Plata, Missouri part of the Depot Inn Complex. Our next stop would be Fort Madison, so I put on Queen "Innuendo" to get me there.

The Des Moines River as we entered Iowa.

The train descended onto the Mississippi Floodplain.

The Mississippi River from Fort Madison.

Cold fresh air stop at Fort Madison.

Minutes later, the Southwest Chief crossed the Mississippi River.

A look back from Illinois to Iowa across "Old Man River". I napped beyond Galesburg then went to the Lounge Car for a Chocolate Chip Cookie and then rode at a table until Kewanee where we came to a stop for the CSX 6770 west and NS 9140 West. We backed up a tenth of a mile to clear a circuit so a signal maintainer could correct a signal problem before we could leave East Kewanee once and for all. John Cougar "Freedom Road" was the next musical choice followed by Paul Stanley "Win to Live" to get me closer to the Windy City on this dark gloomy afternoon. Just west of Aurora, the westbound Southwest Chief sped westward. We almost made it into Chicago Union Station but we were aligned into the station on the wrong track. Once our conductor walked back to protect our rear end, we backed up about three car lengths before we pulled into Track 26 at 4:54 PM {3:20 PM} ending a very relaxing trip on Amtrak's Southwest Chief.

Once I stored my bags inside of the Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge, I headed out to get a new watch. The two CVC Pharmacies west of the Chicago River were closed at 5 PM as were the five other stores east of the Chicago River. I walked over a mile before finding a Macys that wanted $250 for a watch with a special of $64. I kept walking south down State Street and at Adams found a Walgreens with watches for sale starting at $14.95 which I bought one. Back inside warm Union Station I visited Gold Coast for a pair of Char Dogs which I brought back to the lounge. I called home so that my mother could take care of something that I forgot to do before I left. I reclaimed my luggage learning that my eastbound Capitol Limited to Pittsburgh would be late due to mechanical problems from the late running westbound arrival. Just another day at Chicago Union Station. They then announced at 6:45 PM that dinner would not be served on the Capitol Limited tonight so they gave each sleeping car passenger $18 for dinner. Those Gold Coast Char Dogs were sure good!

At 8:04 PM they finally called us to meet them at the back of the lounge to board the train. I got the consist before I boarded Room 2 in the Sleeper 32033. This train had engines 135 and 148, Baggage 1257, Transition 39024, Sleepers 32039 and 32033, Diner 38063, Lounge 33031 and Coaches 31027, 34058 and 34137. We were waiting for our train crew to arrive so our ETD is 10 PM. Daryl is my Sleeping Cat Attendant. I was already in bed as the train left Chicago Union Station at 9:18 PM {7:05 PM} and headed out into the night.

4/8/07 I slept well and awoke east of Cleveland and a cold snowy morning this early April. I had my usual breakfast of French Toast and sausage patties.

After breakfast I put on the Young Dubliners "With All Due Respect" as we were having another delay outside of Ravenna, Ohio. Later we paused in Alliance for a short passenger stop.

An oil well east of Sebring, Ohio. Plenty of Norfolk Southern freight action on this line to keep me entertained.

Cheapke, Ohio

We crossed the state line into Pennsylvania passing a iced pond.

More of the iced pond.

The next pond was frozen as well.

A red barn.

Icicles hanging down in a rock cut.

Just after we crossed the Ohio River at Beaver Falls.

The north side of the Norfolk Southern Conway Yard.

About thirty minutes later we pulled by the Amtrak Pittsburgh Station before we backed into it arriving at 11:08 AM {5:30 AM}.

The Capitol Limited at rest at Pittsburgh.

The former Penn Station in Pittsburgh now houses an apartment complex. I stored my bags behind the counter then followed some directions that were off by over a block. I found the Port Authority T Steel Plaza Light Rail System. I was planning on riding their whole system bit my late train killed that plan. Instead I would get to sample a small bit of the light rail but get to ride the Monongahela Incline. I waited about fifteen minutes and after an eastbound trolley went by then came my westbound. I boarded and was off on a two station trip. We exited the subway portion of the line stopping at First Street before we crossed the Monongahela River to the Station Square Station. I exited and paid at Station Square getting a transfer. You pay when entering or exiting a station outside of Downtown Pittsburgh. I walked a block north for a ride that I had wanted to make for years.

The Monongahela Incline was opened on May 28, 1870 being built at a cost of $50,000. The success of this incline then brought about 17 more inclines in the greater Pittsburgh area. In 1935 the cars were rebuilt and electric traction motors replaced the steam engines that had pulled the cables. In 1964 the Incline joined the Port Authority of Allegheny County. In 1970 it was declared a historical structure by the Pittsburgh History and Landmark Foundation. Later it was declared a National Historical Landmark. Since that time it has been renovated several times and the stations have been restored to their original appearance. The length is 635 feet with an elevation gain of 367.39 feet. The grade is 35 degree, 35 minutes and it has a speed of 6 miles per hour.

After I entered the station, soon a car come down on the Incline. Once a single passenger detrained, I boarded the lower level while a family boarded the top level. The doors were then closed and we started up.

Just having left the station.

A little higher.

The view of Downtown Pittsburgh on this cold and cloudy day.

Passing the downhill car.

We continued to climb as the car descended.

Looking across the Monongahela River.

Almost at the top!

At the top of the Monongahela Incline.

The first bridge is the one that the light rail uses. I detrained, paid a $1.75 for a transfer before I boarded the upper level of the car to record the trip back down. This end has an open view with grating that allows for clear pictures.

Leaving the upper Station House.

Starting down the Monongahela Incline.

Passing the car that is heading up.

Further down the incline.

Nearing the bottom.

At the bottom, I exited first the car and then the building.

The Monongahela Incline.

The lower station building.

Views of the cars on the Monongahela Incline. What an experience it has been to finally gotten to ride the Monongahela Incline. I returned to Station Square using my transfer and waited for my light rail train back to Steel Plaza.

The trolley pulled into Station Square and I rode back to the Steel Plaza Station.

Back at Steel Plaza Station.

Interesting artwork. I returned to street level hearing loud church bells as it was Easter Sunday and was serenaded all the way back to Amtrak. I reclaimed my luggage then went up to the platform to wait for my next Amtrak train to Harrisburg.

At 1:10 PM they started the boarding of this train which consisted of engines 194 and 75, Amfleet Coaches 82651, 82017, 25014, 25037, 25059 and Amcafe 48195. The 194 had been on the westbound train yesterday and had died causing that train to be four hours late into the "Steel City". We left Pittsburgh right on time and then paused to wait for a westbound NS freight. It was snowing as we approached Greensburg our first stop followed by Latrobe. The train twisted and turned through the hilly countryside to Johnstown.

Our train played leap frog with an NS double stack train so this picture is the last time that I see him today.

Later we passed the Tunnel Inn where Chris Parker and I both stayed last August before we plunged into that Summit Tunnel on Track 2.

Next we descended and right before the Horseshoe Curve we came to a stop because of a red signal.

Once we got a green signal, we took a ride around the world famous Horseshoe Curve.

After we stopped at Altoona, the Railroaders Museum with the Pennsy GG-1. Fourteen miles east we stopped at Tyronne. I did several Sudoku puzzles on the way to Huntington. I listened to Led Zeppelin "How the West was Won."

Junitia River. At Lewistown our large group of Amish passengers detrained. The train would now make the final sprint to Harrisburg.

A Pennsylvania farm.

Later we ran along the Susquehanna River.

Approaching the Arch Bridge over the Susquehanna River.

Our train curving onto the Arch Bridge.

Susquehanna River. We arrived into Harrisburg at 6:51 PM {6:45 PM}. I went up into the station and got no answer from the number that Amtrak had given me for being picked up by Hertz. I went outside and found a taxi cab to get me to the Harrisburg Airport. There I picked up a KIA Spectre which I drove east to the town of Intercourse, Pennsylvania.

I checked into the Best Western Intercourse Village Inn. The name of this unique village has nothing to do with sex. When the village was founded in 1754 it was known as Cross Key. Theory #1 There was an old race track that existed east of town. The entrance to the track was known as "Entercourse". It is believed by some people the "Entercourse" gradually evolved into "Intercourse". Theory #2 Two famous roads crossed here, the old King Highway from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh and the road from Wellington to Erie intersected in the middle of town. The joining of these two roads is claimed by some to be the basis for the towns of "Cross Keys" or eventually "Intercourse". Theory # 3, the final idea comes from the use of the language used during the early days. The word "intercourse" was commonly used to describe "fellowship" and "social interaction and support" shared in a community of faith which was much a part of a rural village like this. This history was taken from the Village of Intercourse Merchant Association. Anyway, I made a few phone calls before calling it a night.

4/9/07 I went to the Intercourse Village Restaurant on the hotel's ground and had French Toast, local sausage with orange juice which was excellent. I got four dollars off my bill since I stayed at the hotel last night so this place is really a bargain. I checked my E-mail again before checking out and driving to Strasburg for a trip to the Pennsylvania Railroad Museum, Strasburg Railroad and a stay at the Red Caboose Motel.

Free Web Hosting Since 1996. Join & Become Part of the TrainWeb's Railroad Community.