Steam & Excursion > Gettysburg Railway Displays New Excursion Train Equipment

Patriot Rail's Gettysburg and Northern Railroad is readying its excursion passenger service, marketed as "Gettysburg Railway." Locomotive 1863, two of the completely rebuilt passenger cars (originally built in 1949 as Pullman sleepers), and a power car were at the company's former Reading Company station on Washington Street in Gettysburg today. The depot, which has been expanded to include a merchandise sales room, was first opened in 1884. The depot and cars are, appropriately, decorated in blue and gray. (My photos)

Art House

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Thanks Art.

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Who would have ever thought that a GP15-1 would be an excursion train locomotive.

No open window cars ?

LTCerny Wrote:
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> No open window cars ?

Since there is no steam locomotive, why would there be "open window cars"? Simply enjoy the ride and scenery in air conditioned comfort.

Is that road number a coincidence, or was the unit intentionally renumbered to correspond to the year of the Gettysburg Address?

Thank you Art, for this update, and especially the photos.    I have been over that line years ago when the Cornell Family owned and/or operated the railroad and I did ride behind one of their steam engines at the time.  This is a scenic line and I wish them much success.  Someone asked about open window cars and to be honest, for the average tourist passenger, they don't really care about open windows as they desire comfort which means heat in the winter and air conditioning in the hot summer.
John in White Marsh, Maryland

I realize they were going for a Blue-Grey Union-Confederacy theme, but the train looks very Mopac-like to me!  LTEX 1863 appears to be a former CSX/nee-C&O GP15T.  Anyone have its former number?

mike woodruff
north platte ne

Chessie/C&O GP15T units had dynamic brakes. This unit is not equipped.
CR

Posted from iPhone

HotWater Wrote:
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> LTCerny Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
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> > No open window cars ?
>
> Since there is no steam locomotive, why would
> there be "open window cars"? Simply enjoy the ride
> and scenery in air conditioned comfort.

While I consider some type of open window mandatory for a ride behind steam I also like having an open window option on any train ride. Not everyone necessarily equates comfort with being better in every situation. Most locomotive crews would agree a diesel locomotive cab is a far more comfortable place than a steam locomotive cab but I'd guess more than a few reading this would take the steam loco cab over the most luxurious seat in the lounge car. For me having a choice is good and I'm thankful some operators are still willing and able to offer fresh air access to their passengers.  

Weren't they getting one of the Ex-Iowa Pacific (nee-NJT?) GP40-2FH units? I seemed to recall one of those was being tracked, and it was reported as going to this operation.

I'm not complaining about the GP15 at all. These are built well for little tourist operations like this. Just wondering what happened to that ex-IP unit that was supposed to be there.

pennsy3750 Wrote:
> Is that road number a coincidence, or was the unit
> intentionally renumbered to correspond to the year
> of the Gettysburg Address?

Well the locomotive is owned by LTEX, so it must be just a crazy coincidence. Right?
But then what are the chances? 1 in 9,999?
/Ted

I have vivid memories years ago of the runaround at Biglerville, which is right beside the Musselmann's applesauce plant and also right beside the aerator sewage disposal system for the plant and apparently the town.    As we arrived (in the open window cars) the conductor came through madly closing every window, car doors, etc.  This was after Cornell in the Marino era.  Before Pioneer.
And for good reason.  When the locomotive cut off to run around, the pure stench was unbelievable.  I never knew applesauce could smell that bad, and we just sat there until the runaround was complete.  It was reasonably appalling.
After we got well south of the plant on the return trip, announcement that you could open windows again.
Also, whatever was coming off that in terms of vapor was apparently oxidizing the paint excessively.

swaool Wrote:
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> I realize they were going for a Blue-Grey
> Union-Confederacy theme, but the train looks very
> Mopac-like to me!  LTEX 1863 appears to be a
> former CSX/nee-C&O GP15T.  Anyone have its former
> number?
>
> mike woodruff
> north platte ne


It looks like an ex-Conrail unit that has spent some time on CSX after Conrail was torn apart.

Ex CR 1678 to CSXT 1562 to LTE. Didn't wear any other number with LTE so the 1863 appears to have been thought out by the Gettysburg.

Posted from Android

Are those ex-Ringling cars? The rooftop conduit looks familiar.

Doubtful Reading if they are converted sleepers.

 They have a B&O look to me, but is that silver or gray?

Any idea why CSX modified the radiator intakes?

Evan_Werkema Wrote:
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> Any idea why CSX modified the radiator intakes?

If I recall correctly, they used part of the space to house the APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) and modified the grilles accordingly.

Chris Toth
NSDash9.com