Prof. Martland, I’m intrigued by DEN-SLC via the Overland. Maybe you could also check those same numbers on an NYC-NWK-TRE-PHL-HAR-PGH-CLE-TOL-EKH-CHI overnight train?
Railroad Forums
Moderators: GirlOnTheTrain, mtuandrew, Tadman
mtuandrew wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 4:03 pmThe Old Main Line is way to slow for passenger service, Commuter buses on US 70 would always be much faster.Arborwayfan wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 12:39 pmWouldn’t that just be an extra stop on the Capitol Limited? Seems scenic and like a decent tourist destination, if CSX would allow a new platform (or use of the heritage depot!) in their yards across the river from Hancock.I wonder what a train from BAL (or WAS) to Hancock MD, with connecting coach to Berkley Springs, stopping at Harper;'s Ferry and Martinsburg could do?It would be a good use of existing infrastructure and easy to advertise in existing busy stations.
I don’t think service directly west from Baltimore will happen though.
scratchyX1 wrote: ↑Fri Oct 02, 2020 11:27 am The Old Main Line is way to slow for passenger service, Commuter buses on US 70 would always be much faster.There goes my old "Baltimore to Fredrick" idea...
I was talking about NEC service. Realistically, a cross platform transfer from MARC/Amtrak NEC to this Potomac train at union station in DC would be much faster than running from Baltimore.Definitely Amtrak, given WV difficulties in the past. You would need a station at the CSX yard/airport and a bus shuttle, because it's across the river.
It is short enough that it could be state corridor service, though with West Virginia balking at a few million for MARC service, I don't know if they would pay for this service.
OTOH, it's high profit, and outside oriented business.
https://www.coalvalleynews.com/news/stu ... 445f0.html
Literalman wrote: ↑Sun Oct 04, 2020 7:13 pm So to end this rant, I'll say this: Not everybody drives; not everybody wants to or should drive. ........And I would like to ride the Port Road between Washington and Harrisburg.Mr. Literail, I'm sorry you missed on the C&PD, or Port Road. In terms of scenery, it's "right up there" with "The Adirondack" (Hudson-Lake Champlain).
RRspatch wrote: ↑Mon Oct 05, 2020 12:00 am In regard to Baltimore to Harrisburg service Amtrak continued to operate via the Port Road until October 1979. I rode the last eastbound National Limited between Harrisburg and Capital Beltway station.Stand corrected and otherwise defer to Mr. Spatch on that point.
RRspatch wrote: ↑Mon Oct 05, 2020 12:00 am Of course in August of 1972 hurricane Agnes put an end to the route via York.I did get to ride the Northern Central Hbg to Bal during '66 while in Service. As I recall, the consist comprised the refurbished P-70's, with seats stripped from the 44 seat P-85's as they were scrapped and tinted windows, from the very short lived Blue Diamond (there's my "one that got away"; stationed at Dover 65-67, it was the "ride it next break...ride it next break"...well "until it wasn't").
STrRedWolf wrote: ↑Fri Oct 02, 2020 6:40 pmIt's the western maryland that was across the river in maryland, So there would need to be a station in Hancock WV.scratchyX1 wrote: ↑Fri Oct 02, 2020 11:27 am The Old Main Line is way to slow for passenger service, Commuter buses on US 70 would always be much faster.There goes my old "Baltimore to Fredrick" idea...
It's not a very fast route, and not enough traffic between the two cities to warrant it.
Now, a direct route from frederick to gaithersburg area roughly following 270, possibly with third track to the last red line station, would get a lot of use. But that would be MARC/MTA, not amtrakIDefinitely Amtrak, given WV difficulties in the past. You would need a station at the CSX yard/airport and a bus shuttle, because it's across the river.
was talking about NEC service. Realistically, a cross platform transfer from MARC/Amtrak NEC to this Potomac train at union station in DC would be much faster than running from Baltimore.
It is short enough that it could be state corridor service, though with West Virginia balking at a few million for MARC service, I don't know if they would pay for this service.
OTOH, it's high profit, and outside oriented business.
https://www.coalvalleynews.com/news/stu ... 445f0.html
Literalman wrote: ↑Sun Oct 11, 2020 6:07 pm I forgot to mention Harper's Ferry: I think that every time the Virginia Assn. of Railway Patrons had a display at a public event (Manassas Railway Festival, Ashland Train Day, etc.) we were asked about day trips to Harper's Ferry. The public interest is there, but I don't think CSX would allow it, even if MARC were interested in operating it. Maybe an excursion from Washington to Harper's Ferry someday would be an indication of how many people would ride.From Virginia (Richmond) to Harper's Ferry?
mtuandrew wrote: ↑Sun Oct 11, 2020 9:16 pm Keep in mind we are talking Amtrak restoration, not MARC or VRE excursions.I think the idea here is to use MARC/VRE to convince Amtrak and other powers-that-be that such a service is viable.