The 444-mile Pennsylvania route runs across the state from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh after starting its journey in New York. Highlights of this daily train route include the Allegheny Mountains, the Horseshow Curve near Altoona and Pennsylvania Dutch Country. It leaves Philadelphia daily at 12:42 p.m. and arrives in Pittsburgh at 8:05 p.m. The reverse route sees a 7:20 a.m. daily departure Monday through Saturday, 1:20 p.m. on Sunday, and 2:50 and 9 p.m. Philadelphia arrivals, respectively. Stops between those cities include Paoli, Lancaster, Elizabethtown, Harrisburg, Lewistown, Huntingdon, Tyrone, Altoona, Johnstown, Latrobe and Greensburg. Amtrak; 60 Massachusetts Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20002; 800-872-7245.
East Broad Top Railroad, the oldest operating narrow-gauge railroad in the United States, was established in 1856. This railroad was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1964. Train rides are offered on weekends from June through October. Other special events and private charters are offered. The Rockhill Trolley Museum, Pennsylvania's oldest operating trolley museum, is located next to this railroad. The railroad is located in Rockhill Furnace, three hours east of Pittsburgh and three hours west of Philadelphia.
The Middletown and Hummelstown Railroad offers an 11-mile, 75-minute journey through the Swatara Creek Valley. The conductor gives a narration of the history and folklore of the area during the trip. The railroad is located in Middletown, two hours west of Philadelphia and four hours east of Pittsburgh. The turnaround point for the journey is at Indian Echo Cave Platform. Songs from railroading days are sung on the return trip.
The Pioneer Tunnel offers a train ride on a narrow-gauge stream locomotive that dates to the 1920s, the Henry Clay. The route is three-quarters of a mile long around Mahanoy Mountain. On the other side of the mountain, passengers are shown strip mining at Mammoth Stripping and learn about the Centralia mine fire, a perpetual underground fire that has resisted all attempts to extinguish it. This train ride is located in Ashland, two hours northwest of Philadelphia and five hours east of Pittsburgh.
