Passenger Trains > National Ltd Pittsburgh-Indianapolis

Is there any decent routes between the two cities, now? Thanks for all answers.

brc600 Wrote:
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> Is there any decent routes between the two cities,
> now? Thanks for all answers.


Define "decent".

If you mean direct, the answer is No. To run a train that served either Columbus or Dayton between Pittsburgh and Indianapolis, as the Natoinal Limited did, would now be impossible.

Before it was split up between NS and CSX, Conrail ran its Pittsburgh-Indianapolis freights via Alliance, Crestline, and Marion, Ohio and Muncie, Indiana. That routing would still be possible today, although the connecting track between the ex-PRR and the ex-NYC at Crestline might need some TLC to be used again.

The ex-PRR main between Dayton and Indy was abandoned by Conrail in the 1980s.

Additionally, the ex-PRR Panhandle between Mingo Jct. and Columbus was substantially downgraded, second main and signals ripped out. It would take adult money to restore it to passenger standards.

Paul Wilson
Arlington, VA

East of Stubenville, OH, in Pennsylvania, the track was also abandoned for about 25 miles towards Pittsburgh. It became a trail, so the right-of-way is still there.

MEKoch Wrote:
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> East of Stubenville, OH, in Pennsylvania, the
> track was also abandoned for about 25 miles
> towards Pittsburgh. It became a trail, so the
> right-of-way is still there.

This right-of-way is a designated high speed corridor. Rode over it in 68 and 69...big mistake to chop up the Pan Handle...

MEKoch Wrote:
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> East of Stubenville, OH, in Pennsylvania, the
> track was also abandoned for about 25 miles
> towards Pittsburgh. It became a trail, so the
> right-of-way is still there.


You can still go to Pittsburgh via Mingo, Steubenville, Yellow Creek, Rochester, and Conway straight to PRR/Amtrak station in Pittsburgh. This was occasionally used as a detour during the National Limited days. Yes, the Panhandle from Weirton to Carnegie via Burgettstown is a trail.