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Three Rivers(train)

(Redirected fromThree Rivers (Amtrak))
Not to be confused withThree Rivers Rambler.

TheThree Riverswas anAmtrakpassenger train that ran daily betweenNew York CityandChicagoviaPhiladelphia,Pittsburgh,andAkron.It started in 1995, replacing theBroadway Limited,and ran until March 7, 2005, when Amtrak cancelled a contract with theUnited States Postal Servicethat was specific to the train.[1]

Three Rivers
TheThree RiversatLewistownin 2002.
Overview
Service typeInter-city rail
StatusDiscontinued
LocaleNortheastern United States
Midwestern United States
PredecessorBroadway Limited
First serviceSeptember 10, 1995
Last serviceMarch 7, 2005
SuccessorPennsylvanian
Former operator(s)Amtrak
Route
TerminiNew York City
Chicago, Illinois
Stops19
Distance travelled908 miles (1,461 km)
Average journey time19 hours 30 minutes
Service frequencyDaily
Train number(s)40, 41
Technical
Rolling stock
Track gauge4 ft8+1⁄2in(1,435 mm)
Track owner(s)

History

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Amtrak began theThree Riverson September 10, 1995, as a replacement for the discontinuedBroadway Limited.The train originally ran between New York and Pittsburgh, extending a New York–HarrisburgKeystone Servicetrain. Using train numbers 46/47, it exchanged mail cars with the Chicago–Washington, D.C.Capitol Limitedin Pittsburgh, while through passengers disembarked and changed trains.

Through service began on February 1, 1996, by coupling twoThree RiversAmfleetcoaches to theSuperlinerconsist of theCapitol Limited.Passage between the single-level and double-level cars was facilitated by a transition dorm car.[2]: 27 

Amtrak ended the switching operation on November 10, 1996, in favor of extending theThree Riversto Chicago as an independent train. In doing so, they restored theBroadway Limited's numbers (40/41), albeit neither its full dining service nor its sleeping cars due to equipment shortages and an unfavorable schedule.

On April 1, 1999, Amtrak added a sleeping car to theThree Rivers,using four previously storedHeritage Fleetsleepers that they had restored for $250,000 since noViewlinerswere available. The last standard 10-6 sleepers operated by Amtrak, they required aFederal Railroad Administrationwaiver to operate because of theirdirect-dumptoilets. When the waiver expired in October 2001, Amtrak retired the Heritage sleepers and replaced them with Viewliners, which had since become available.[2]: 35 

Route

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The Pittsburgh–New YorkThree Riversstopped at Pittsburgh, Greensburg, Johnstown, Altoona, Huntingdon, Lewistown, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Paoli, Philadelphia, Trenton, Newark and New York. With the extension to Chicago in 1996, service began to Hammond–Whiting and Nappanee. Other stops in Ohio were added as station improvements were funded: Youngstown (May 16, 1997), Fostoria (December 15, 1997) and Akron (August 10, 1998). Latrobe was added as aflag stopon May 17, 1998.[2]: 35 

Highlights along the route includedHorseshoe CurvenearAltoona,Pennsylvania Dutch Country,and theAllegheny Mountains.The New York–Chicago trip took about 20 hours.

Service over the former route of theThree Riverseast of Pittsburgh is now provided by thePennsylvanian.While its route west of Pittsburgh toHammond–Whitingis no longer served by passenger trains, theCapitol LimitedandFloridian (temporary revival)still connects Pittsburgh and Chicago, albeit on a different route viaCleveland.

Equipment

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TheThree RiversusedAmfleetcoaches and either Amfleet orHorizondinettes in addition to the later Heritage sleeper. At the height of Amtrak's experiment with mail and express business, a typical late 1990sThree Rivershad 4–6 passenger cars and upwards of 25 mail cars.[2]: 31 

References

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  1. ^"The final Three Rivers service rolls through Ohio, Indiana".Associated Press. 2005.[permanent dead link‍]
  2. ^abcdSanders, Craig (2006).Amtrak in the Heartland.Bloomington, Indiana:Indiana University Press.ISBN978-0-253-34705-3.
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