Woman and her yougn daughter got on my train at Ardmore, goign to NYC. This consist is set up so that Harrisburg-Philadelphia is facing backwards - she wasn't comfortable but figured she would change seats in Philly (just 1 stop). I happened to overhear her sayign she was going to go look for seats facing the other way (probably aren't any other than in the 4 seat arragnements at the end of the car), so I let her know that the way we were facing would be forward when we head to NYC.
--Randy
(writing from Amtrak train #670, excuse any more than usual typos)
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Hi Randy.
I had a similar experience like that in Duluth Minnesota. We took the North Shore Scenic train ride. A Soo Line locomotive pulIing a mixed Burlington and North Shore line of passenger cars I posted earlier this year.
I had spent so much time taking pictures of the old relics in the museum at the Duluth Depot outback. I knew what was up, I also knew which way was north. A lot of people don't think like the crow flies.
I knew the train we were boarding would back out of the Depot, change directions on a turnout and head north. I shared that information with some confused looking tourists that looked friendly. We sat directly across the aisle from each other facing the right direction.
They thanked me and I was glad I met them. The friendly portly gentleman that probably weighed about 350 pounds told me about Sammy's Pizza which I have never been to. I figured he would know where the good pizza place was. Now we will go to Sammy's Pizza in Duluth every time we visit.... not as good as Geno's Pizza in Chicago by a mile. Good enough for a return trip though.
Take care. Happy Holidays Randy to you and yours have a slice on me
rrinker(writing from Amtrak train #670, excuse any more than usual typos)
I guess that means that Amtrak finally got the on board WIFI working.
It does help when you are familiar with the operation. Many folks are unfamiliar with trains, and terrified to ask someone.
Boris
Wifi has been working on all 6 previous trips as well. Only time it ever cut out was when they swapped power at 30th Street, but the whole train cut out when they did that.
Usually I've been going up Monday nights so it's already dark, today I went in the early afternoon because I need to be at the client tomorrow morning. Of course that direction shift takes place at Zoo Interlocking, and since it wasn't dark yet I could see into the Zoo as we went past.
Something of note, just before coming to North Broad station, there is a caboose parked up (east side of the tracks, rigth hand side heading to NYC) on some private property. It looks maintained - ie not full of grafitti, paint pretty decent. Unlettered, but it looks like a PRR caboose, not a Northeast style. Nothign else around, just a bunch of crumbling buildings. Wonder what that is. I also caught a glimpse of another one between Parksburg and Downingtown, this one in Conrail can opener scheme. Also off the right of way on private property. Last time i ran the Keystone route in daylight, I sat on the other side of the train, so now I've seen both sides of most of it - was dark by the time we hit Trenton.
What's funny is there's one short segment I've never been on - 2 weeks ago I actually had to take the Pennsylvanian as it was the only Sunday train with any seats available at the last minute (gotta love when clients change things - we had these trips booked way ahead for the super cheap fares, then had to pay to change it all). A couple of years ago, I was on the Pennsylvanian from Pittsburgh to Harrisburg as part of my trip from Milwaukee. So I've never been on the segment from Harrisburg to Lancaster (most convenient place for me to get on). I should book a round trip Lancaset to Harrisburg one weekend just so I can ride the whole width of PA on the train.
rrinkerSomething of note, just before coming to North Broad station, there is a caboose parked up (east side of the tracks, rigth hand side heading to NYC) on some private property. It looks maintained - ie not full of grafitti, paint pretty decent. Unlettered, but it looks like a PRR caboose, not a Northeast style.
I can't find any further information on the "Cabin Car" other than it was donated to a community garden called Glenwood Green Acres. One fuzzy photo I found shows it to be an N5b but I couldn't make out the number. The gardeners use it for a meeting room and tool shed.
I did find this one photo from 2007, though:
Glenwood Green Acres by Dana Bauer, on Flickr
I haven't been around the ZOO interlocking and North Philly area since the mid- 1970s. I could spend all day there taking pictures and nobody bothered me. In fact the railroaders were friendly and helpful. Times change, I guess.
Cheers, Ed