Amtrak Crossroads - Pennsylvania Summer Part 1
Amtrak Crossroads - Pennsylvania Summer
By Giles Kennedy
Family and Travel Columnist
Columbus Wired
In partnership with Ohio Valley Rails
Once again, I am on the Amtrak Pennsylvanian.
This time; it is celebrating 17 years of beautiful partnership with my loving wife, Tanya.
She has ties on her mom’s side of the family to the founders of Harrisburg. Brewpubs, shops and loads of historical sites lie in its downtown. We are blessed to take this time together.
Yet, guess who is in the lounge typing this…and she’s reading, podcast binging and enjoying the Pennsylvania countryside. She gets me.
As of the initial service; PennDot and Norfolk Southern have agreed to expand the Pennsylanian 3 trains weekdays, 2 on weekends and holidays.
See Amtrak’s website for details for tickets, rewards and travel tips with baggage, etc.
https://www.amtrak.com/pennsylvanian-train
“Michigan Ken” was our conductor on the east bound Harrisburg train. He was our westbound conductor back in March. He and the crew were amazing. Bridget, the Pittsburgh station agent, was a champ. Between coordinating passengers, wrangling ticket sales and such; she got Tanya’s companion coupon from my Guest Rewards.
That’s right; Tanya rode for free.
Yes, you have to wait 12 hours or prior to departure to redeem. But it works!
Speaking of the crew; Michigan Ken narrated our last trip. See the video link below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDl8I8hpyGQ
The Pennsylvanian is a great way to travel between Pittsburgh and New York City.
The Grant Street Transportation Center near Pittsburgh Union Station provides overnight parking. Please see the link for details.
https://www.pittsburghparking.com/Facilities/Grant-Street-Transportation-Center
Featured cities besides Pittsburgh and Harrisburg include some iconic Pennsylvania destinations.
Altoona, Scranton, State College, and Philadelphia are regularly served by the pillar of Amtrak service in the state.
We will feature more on the Pennsylvania State Capital, Harrisburg on our next installment.
Remember; life is an adventure. Get out there and live it!
