Fun fact: a few blocks west of the Hampshire stop (1:18:00) is Canton Avenue, one of the steepest streets in the United States with a 37% grade at its steepest point! At 1:27:50, the loops at South Hills Junction were used by PCCs when they were still in operation. The loop closer to the station was used to turn around for Allentown service (if you look up the video “Pittsburgh PATransit 1986 Part 2: PCCs” you can see a PCC waiting at the loop), the other loop was used if PCCs needed to turn around without heading into the city. As operable PCCs dwindled it wasn’t uncommon for riders to have to get off at South Hills Junction and board a newer light rail vehicle the rest of the way into town while the PCC turned around to head back south. PCCs last ran on the Allentown Line in 1986, it was rebuilt after that for light rail vehicles. PCCs stopped running into the city in 1993, after that they ran as a shuttle between Drake Loop and Castle Shannon until 1999. Those tracks you saw splitting off from the Red Line at the Dorchester stop at 57:25 go down to Drake Loop, and you can see remnants of a turnaround loop (ballast and concrete bases) at the Castle Shannon station at 1:05:25. The unused tracks at 1:29:10 were where the Overbrook Line (Blue and Silver lines between Willow and South Hills Junction) came into merge with the other lines. When the Overbrook Line was rebuilt there wasn’t enough clearance along the right of way for the newer light rail vehicles to pass, so those flyover ramps (at 20:26) were built instead leaving this small stretch of unused track. When light rail vehicles began running on the Allentown Line they would use the unused track to turn around and passengers would board/get off there, and I believe “Subway Local” trains (trains that ran just from South Hills Junction through downtown, this service has since been discontinued) would also use it to turn around. With regular Allentown and Subway Local service no longer being a thing those tracks barely see use. Port Authority is looking into redeveloping South Hills Junction in the coming years to better utilize the land, obviously the station would still be there and would still be served by the trains and buses, but things like those old turnaround loops and stretches of unused track may end up being removed in the coming years (this is not set in stone yet, plans are very early on), so I’m glad you got to see a little bit of the history while it’s still there! I will always have a soft spot for the Silver Line, as my very first time riding the T was a trip on that line. At that time as I mentioned the Overbrook line was being rebuilt so Library trains ran through Beechview along the Red Line instead. I was only 2 years old at that time but I remember that trip vividly. Additionally, the stretch of the Library Line south of Washington Junction still uses original Pittsburgh Railways infrastructure, and beside the Lytle and Library stations nothing has been extensively modernized. The wayside signals, much of the supporting infrastructure for the power lines, the trackbed, trestles, etc all date back to the Pittsburgh Railways era, and nothing beats the clickety clack of jointed rail track! Plus the route gets especially scenic towards the end with it being heavily wooded, if you ever get to ride in the summer, fall, or right after a fresh snowfall it is beautiful. Having to wait at a few traffic lights can be annoying but those intersections are so busy it’s the best way to do things for safety reasons. If the line is ever modernized I hope they give trains priority or even grade-separate those crossings. Unfortunately some of the quirks of the Library Line’s infrastructure that make it a unique ride are also responsible for it being endangered - the century old infrastructure is deteriorating and Port Authority is thinking about abandoning the Silver Line south of Washington Junction in the next few years as opposed to rehabbing or rebuilding it. Like the South Hills Junction plans it isn’t set in stone yet but work will need to be done sooner or later, no matter what ends up happening I’m glad you had the chance to ride it!
i grew up in Mt Lebanon and Castle Shannon and Library during the 60's and 70's...we use to ride the street cars all over Pgh...and go everywhere...i remember the Red Street Cars...we rode everywhere...and i use to walk to South Hills Village...yes...at one time i worked in castle shannon and rode the Street Car from Library 5 days a week, morning and night...i loved those street cars...
I haven't watched the entire video yet but last year my wife and I visited Pittsburgh and for kicks we rode the Red Line from South Hills Village mall into downtown for the day. Yes, that rail pass is a bargain. What we didn't know was that they were doing work on the Mt. Washington Tunnel and all trains were discontinued after 9PM south of Station Square. Instead of leaving passengers stranded the Port Authority ran special trains over the old Brown line route. That was cool to get to ride on a line that had been discontinued years ago.
Right now is a really good time to get in rides on the “Brown Line” aka the Allentown Line, Port Authority is doing extensive tunnel work in the Mount Washington Tunnel. Because of that, every weeknight after 8 PM for the next year or so all trains are being detoured over the line! In Port Authority’s long term plans they are talking about possibly bringing back full time passenger service on the line and there has been strong interest from locals for them to do so. The only major hurdle is that they’re going to have to either rebuild each stop along the line to have ramps up to the cars’ higher doors so it can be handicap accessible, or get new railcars that are accessible in some other way such as being a low-floor car or having a wheelchair lift (the current cars require steps to board from street level) to be in compliance with ADA.
They were doing work in the tunnel recently after 8pm and ran around through the Allentown neighborhood and used a shuttle to go back and fourth between station square and first ave. It was pretty interesting to see a line that isnt used often.
Thanks that was fun here south ca there are so many people you can not enjoy it all the seats are taken and people are standing let's do it again sometime 😀 👍
RED all the way!Absolutely great you did this!! Appreciate so much all you shared & how this all worked. I loved looking at all the houses along the way. Yes reminds you of San Fransisco trolley. Now I have that song Rice a Roni the San Fransisco treat...😃 Love how it runs on the streets. Totally enjoyed this so much. Your montage & music were awesome!! Relaxing ride. Thank you so much for taking me along, just incredible adventure Jay❣🥰❤
I’m so excited that you did this video JP! I was hoping you got to ride the rest of the T into the suburbs after I watched the first video you made about the T. I ride the Silver Line regularly since my stop is about a 7 minute walk from my house. All three of the line are a lot of fun to ride, are filled with history, and are special. You should check on the detour line, also known as the Allentown line. It’s very hilly and offers some great views of the city. Thank you for sharing such a great video ❤️ :)
The windows look nice and clean LOL.nice clear view.......mind boggeling engineering to keep everything running smoothly and safely . Cool seeing the guy bring his bike onboard.. Lost the insect ( dragon fly ?) on the window at 24:50 ... got on at 23:46. It had a nice ride ..guess it was his stop LOL...Thank you for the subtitles ..added a lot to the enjoyment and understanding . I enjoyed the Red Line the most too : } I know your arm had to be so tired from holding the camera ..The seats looked like metal...had to hurt after a while for sure .. Thank you for sharing the ride : } t
JP I am surprised you didn't point out a little bit of history at the Library Station....a relic of the cold war and the protection of the steel mills around Pittsburgh. Right across from the station was a Nike Missle.
Love Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Bell connector is a first step towards light rail hopefully some day. I thought I read they were going to extend service to UC and Clifton
JP do you even realize your Smiling from ear to ear again.. You have have a new Spring in your step an brand new tone of excitement it truthfully so cool to see the New an better you. Its infectious. I really find it Amazing that your smiling 😃 so big without even realizing it. Love it. Thanks.
JP, Ft Worth, Tx had a Trolley 🚎 System in the 20's,and 30's. The last Trolley rail system closed a few years back. The old M & O Trolley 🚎 became Leonard's Troy System it was used by Leonard's Department Store as a way to bring in more Customers. Years later ( 1978-79) when Leonard's closed their doors. Mr Charles Tandy an Industrialust bought the Property an renamed the Trolley 🚎 The Tandy. Now gone since the mid 2000's I. The name of Progress.
If you look over the South Hills Junction portion of your video with the complex track work you can find something interesting. The rails in that location are not embedded, yet it appears to have segments of grooved rail. And the grooved rail seems to be used instead of the usual check rail components in turnout and diamond crossings. Grooved rail hasn't been rolled (made) in the U.S. since at least the middle of the 20th century. What is seen at the South Hills Junction location is actually a recreation of grooved rail made with a structure bolted to regular t-rail, giving the appearance and functionality of standard grooved rail. You can spot this work by the fittings that are bolted through the t-rail web. A very effective bit of track infrastructure engineering.
Amazing ride Jay. Reminds me a little bit of some towns in Europe were it is very common, opposed to here in the US. Great way to see cities and sight see on the cheap. I did this in Germany. Thanks again Jay for sharing all you have for Pittsburgh, it gives great firsthand experience and insight for a visit in the near future 👊👍
Wow I learned so much watching this video! I have never been to Pittsburgh and have really been enjoying the trip you took out there. I would imagine that this would be very relaxing and a great way to decompress after a days work on the ride home. The money savings alone is worth using this mode of transportation. I really enjoyed all of the rides. Thank you for taking the time to film, edit and share this Very interesting piece of Pittsburgh! 🚉 🚉 🚉
@@JPVideos81 I agree, it took you aways from down town PA. Some very nice looking hones, I thought. I sure love the down town area of PA, specially in that video you made. Of the walk down town PA.
I would have to agree with you that the Red Line was the most enjoyable, although the whole ride was awesome and very informative! It seems like the Pittsburgh subway is so much cleaner than what I have seen of others, and if I ever get there, I will now have a good idea of how the subway operates. Great video, thank you so much JP!
You can still trace the old Streetcar line from the Drake loop to Washington PA. From the Drake loop the old line followed the present day power line that is behind the homes built since 1952 (when that line was abandoned) till you get to US 19, then along US 19 on its east side till you get to Cannonsburg lake, then across the lake and then cross country to Chartiers Creek, then the old streetcar took a bridge to what is now Sarris Candy (This is the present day store, Sarris is planning to move). The parking for today's Sarris Candy is the old Streetcar Right of way minus the Bridge. The Streetcar then went through Cannonsburg, then on its own Right of way to Houston PA, then through Houston and back on its own Right of way to the present day Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, then to Washington PA The biggest problem for the route in Washington County was the area the Streetcar went through was undeveloped till modern US 19 was built in 1952 (and to build that road much of the Right of Way of the old Streetcar line was sold off to people who wanted land next to the then newly built US 19 between the Allegheny County line and Canonsburg Lake). Please note much of the above Right of Way is now held by private property owners, thus you can follow the old route by using parallel streets not the old Right of Way (Except in a local park where the Right of Way is now a path to that park). Here is a Video of the old Streetcar line to Washington pa: czcams.com/video/lwYT6aAzwAs/video.html The Library line use to go to Donora and Charleroi on the river along what is now know a PA 88. The Library line can still be seen from maps to just short of Brownsville Extension Road (I remember going over a bridge over the old tracks in the 1960s, but shortly afterward the cut was filled in and the Bridge removed. On its own Right of way it went to Finleyville, then on the streets of Finleyville till where it had a bridge over the B&O tracks and creek just south of Finleyville. After 2000 a Supermarket was built on land the Streetcar went through but from they the Streetcar went along PA 88 till it hit PA 837, then it split and used several bridges and Right of ways to get to Donora and Charleroi. More on that line: czcams.com/video/PJ74zsvDBCA/video.html Here is an article from 1952 on these lines:www.charleroiinterurban.com/era-forward.htm Here is a paper on these lines going back to 1869 when these routes were first built as a narrow gauge railway: web.archive.org/web/20110604192112/memory.loc.gov/pnp/habshaer/pa/pa3400/pa3483/data/pa3483.pdf
Great video , I enjoyed the whole ride along with you. Thanks for taking the time to do everything. I am a train collector myself, and share your enthusiasm. I have 79 locomotives (15 of which produce smoke) and about 500 others, box cars, full streamline sets ect... Furthermore, the REDLINE was my favorite also. Again thanks, Storm.
JP, Finally starting looking nice when I saw the Forsythia Bushes, but those red light stops! Passenger trains don't get No respect, I bet everybody would be waiting it those 120 plus freight trains were going through:) That street footage is something else...!!!! The San Francisco cars are cable and are awesome going up the steep hills, these remind me so much of the trolleys I remember in NYC when I was little. I used to Love ridi9ng the subways! Your captioning was excellent, it really added to the whole experience. I wonder what's next? Cheers, Rik Spector
thank you for uploading this video!! the red line was the line i went on as a child, most of the time i took it to allegheny to go to the science center and occasionally to south hills village cause back in my day most red line trains ended at overbrook junction making people transfer if they want to go more south, i heard recently that they extended all trips to south hills village and i was like “OH THANK GOD” cause i hated transferring back in the day and i was waiting for it for so long so i was really glad that it happened.
I really like this video because I lived in both Castle Shannon and Dormont and rode both lines to work at different times of course ! I did it for years, and it was so nice to Watch this because I felt like I was on the trolley too! It brought back so many memories! Thanks for the video and all the research you did!
My wife and I are planning to go to Pittsburgh shortly just to get away for the weekend. I intend to ride the T and came across your video. Very nicely done, sir! I was born and raised in New York City, so I grew up riding trains. I love the trains and I'm looking forward to riding the T, especially that Red Line! 👍🏾
I recently found out that the gateway station is relatively new. The line used to turn around there and there an older unused section that can be seen if you look at the correct moment.
@@JPVideos81 yes that is correct. it was completely redesigned and then the underwater tunnel was built and 2 other stops were added. you can see part of the old station when you are in the tunnel coming from wood street.
It's good that they retained those unused tracks for emergency rerouting. Perhaps they will also be restored to full service eventually and not get ripped up.
Love your videos! If you want more street car views, ride any line from Steel Plaza to South Hills Junction. They all detour after 8pm from right before Station Square up through Allentown; up the backside of My Washington. You'll be on the street the whole way. I think you'll really enjoy it even though it's a short ride.
I considered that, but its a bit of a walk and gets dark. But i recently did a video of them riding the streets by the fallowfield and hampshire stops.
The old gateway station is still there but barely visible it's was closed with North side expansion. I remember getting off at the old gateway station in the 2000s it resembled the wood and steel plaza stations.
At 11:34 as the t is pulling into wood street station if you look through the window on the left you can see the lower platform we're the benches are that lower platform was used strictly by the old pcc trains then would go to Penn Station we're the east bus way is at then would reverse back upto the drake loop.
@@JPVideos81 no they have it locked off but I was able to locate a video from the 1990's to show you what it was used for you'll have to skip to 3:20 on the video to see the old pcc trains czcams.com/video/wt5rfwkUvJQ/video.html
Well we don't have subways up here just buses one train called the ghan only for travelln to other city good lookin out from window and to see the tracks and scenery was awsom watching this video but I'd hate to be on a subway late at night .. enjoyed thanks jp
Very nice job. I wanted to learn more about this system as I knew very little before watching your video. I did watch in its entirety. Surprised to learn you are from the Scranton area. I grew up in Chinchilla which is about 10 miles north of Scranton.
I would rate this an "F" ....for fun! How many miles long are the respective lines? Seems like a substantial ride, lots of bang for the buck. Thanks for the ride!
I guess I'll accept an F in this case lol. All 3 lines run on over 26miles of track. For 2.50 one way, it's a very affordable way to travel to and from the city.
The Silver Line is about 13/14 miles from downtown to Library. The Blue and Red Lines are roughly 11 miles from downtown to South Hills Village. The total length of all the lines is 26.2 (keep in mind certain stretches of track are shared between lines).
Steel Plaza is so undervalued and underutilized- those abandoned tracks should take ppl to union station with connections to Amtrak.. Light Trail should go from Downtown to Oakland And Downtown to Pittsburgh Intl Airport…it’s to under developed especially coming from a powerhouse city with all these railroads 🛤️
Really enjoyed the journey, seeing the different homes in the suburbs but I wouldn't like to live near the train line, it was strange to see trains having to stop for cars. Is there a start & finished time for the trains.
They start around 5 AM and run until around 1 AM on weeknights, 11 PM/midnight on weekends. And as someone who grew up near these lines and have many friends who live with it running through their backyards - you get used to it very quickly, and they don’t make an insane amount of noise like a freight train does.
Brian, just know there's someone thousands of miles away, here in the US, that you have never met, that has been where you are now. This will pass my friend, no matter what the cause; it gets better. Have patience and faith, it gets better. Be well and try to think of something other than what is troubling you. 😉👊✌
The t is not sufficient it doesn't go through half of the city not included are Monroeville Homestead squirrel hill the airport bracken ridge Beaver Washington the meadows casino Robinson West Mifflin McKeesport Lawrenceville Turtle Creek Braddock Export etc the T is lame invest in your subway NYC 4life
Fun fact: a few blocks west of the Hampshire stop (1:18:00) is Canton Avenue, one of the steepest streets in the United States with a 37% grade at its steepest point!
At 1:27:50, the loops at South Hills Junction were used by PCCs when they were still in operation. The loop closer to the station was used to turn around for Allentown service (if you look up the video “Pittsburgh PATransit 1986 Part 2: PCCs” you can see a PCC waiting at the loop), the other loop was used if PCCs needed to turn around without heading into the city. As operable PCCs dwindled it wasn’t uncommon for riders to have to get off at South Hills Junction and board a newer light rail vehicle the rest of the way into town while the PCC turned around to head back south.
PCCs last ran on the Allentown Line in 1986, it was rebuilt after that for light rail vehicles. PCCs stopped running into the city in 1993, after that they ran as a shuttle between Drake Loop and Castle Shannon until 1999. Those tracks you saw splitting off from the Red Line at the Dorchester stop at 57:25 go down to Drake Loop, and you can see remnants of a turnaround loop (ballast and concrete bases) at the Castle Shannon station at 1:05:25.
The unused tracks at 1:29:10 were where the Overbrook Line (Blue and Silver lines between Willow and South Hills Junction) came into merge with the other lines. When the Overbrook Line was rebuilt there wasn’t enough clearance along the right of way for the newer light rail vehicles to pass, so those flyover ramps (at 20:26) were built instead leaving this small stretch of unused track. When light rail vehicles began running on the Allentown Line they would use the unused track to turn around and passengers would board/get off there, and I believe “Subway Local” trains (trains that ran just from South Hills Junction through downtown, this service has since been discontinued) would also use it to turn around. With regular Allentown and Subway Local service no longer being a thing those tracks barely see use.
Port Authority is looking into redeveloping South Hills Junction in the coming years to better utilize the land, obviously the station would still be there and would still be served by the trains and buses, but things like those old turnaround loops and stretches of unused track may end up being removed in the coming years (this is not set in stone yet, plans are very early on), so I’m glad you got to see a little bit of the history while it’s still there!
I will always have a soft spot for the Silver Line, as my very first time riding the T was a trip on that line. At that time as I mentioned the Overbrook line was being rebuilt so Library trains ran through Beechview along the Red Line instead. I was only 2 years old at that time but I remember that trip vividly. Additionally, the stretch of the Library Line south of Washington Junction still uses original Pittsburgh Railways infrastructure, and beside the Lytle and Library stations nothing has been extensively modernized. The wayside signals, much of the supporting infrastructure for the power lines, the trackbed, trestles, etc all date back to the Pittsburgh Railways era, and nothing beats the clickety clack of jointed rail track! Plus the route gets especially scenic towards the end with it being heavily wooded, if you ever get to ride in the summer, fall, or right after a fresh snowfall it is beautiful. Having to wait at a few traffic lights can be annoying but those intersections are so busy it’s the best way to do things for safety reasons. If the line is ever modernized I hope they give trains priority or even grade-separate those crossings.
Unfortunately some of the quirks of the Library Line’s infrastructure that make it a unique ride are also responsible for it being endangered - the century old infrastructure is deteriorating and Port Authority is thinking about abandoning the Silver Line south of Washington Junction in the next few years as opposed to rehabbing or rebuilding it. Like the South Hills Junction plans it isn’t set in stone yet but work will need to be done sooner or later, no matter what ends up happening I’m glad you had the chance to ride it!
i grew up in Mt Lebanon and Castle Shannon and Library during the 60's and 70's...we use to ride the street cars all over Pgh...and go everywhere...i remember the Red Street Cars...we rode everywhere...and i use to walk to South Hills Village...yes...at one time i worked in castle shannon and rode the Street Car from Library 5 days a week, morning and night...i loved those street cars...
I haven't watched the entire video yet but last year my wife and I visited Pittsburgh and for kicks we rode the Red Line from South Hills Village mall into downtown for the day. Yes, that rail pass is a bargain. What we didn't know was that they were doing work on the Mt. Washington Tunnel and all trains were discontinued after 9PM south of Station Square. Instead of leaving passengers stranded the Port Authority ran special trains over the old Brown line route. That was cool to get to ride on a line that had been discontinued years ago.
Right now is a really good time to get in rides on the “Brown Line” aka the Allentown Line, Port Authority is doing extensive tunnel work in the Mount Washington Tunnel. Because of that, every weeknight after 8 PM for the next year or so all trains are being detoured over the line!
In Port Authority’s long term plans they are talking about possibly bringing back full time passenger service on the line and there has been strong interest from locals for them to do so. The only major hurdle is that they’re going to have to either rebuild each stop along the line to have ramps up to the cars’ higher doors so it can be handicap accessible, or get new railcars that are accessible in some other way such as being a low-floor car or having a wheelchair lift (the current cars require steps to board from street level) to be in compliance with ADA.
They were doing work in the tunnel recently after 8pm and ran around through the Allentown neighborhood and used a shuttle to go back and fourth between station square and first ave. It was pretty interesting to see a line that isnt used often.
I appreciate the whole ride. Love seeing everything in Pa., amazing.
Like going on virtual holiday love it x
😊🚊🚋🚉🛤
Thanks that was fun here south ca there are so many people you can not enjoy it all the seats are taken and people are standing let's do it again sometime 😀 👍
Wow - their subway is so quiet and clean 👍😊💕
Love this video JP 😊💕
Thanks for saying positive stuff about our light rail
I'm a tram 🚋 and I approve this video! Ding ding!
would be so nice if Scranton, PA had a light rail or newer streetcar lines 🚋🚋
I agree
Excellent video JP! Thanks for the trip! The red line was also my favorite!
RED all the way!Absolutely great you did this!! Appreciate so much all you shared & how this all worked. I loved looking at all the houses along the way. Yes reminds you of San Fransisco trolley. Now I have that song Rice a Roni the San Fransisco treat...😃 Love how it runs on the streets. Totally enjoyed this so much. Your montage & music were awesome!! Relaxing ride. Thank you so much for taking me along, just incredible adventure Jay❣🥰❤
That's the reason I did it. I know not everyone enjoys something like this, but I certainly did and glad you and several others do too.
I love the ride on the red line
I’m so excited that you did this video JP! I was hoping you got to ride the rest of the T into the suburbs after I watched the first video you made about the T. I ride the Silver Line regularly since my stop is about a 7 minute walk from my house. All three of the line are a lot of fun to ride, are filled with history, and are special. You should check on the detour line, also known as the Allentown line. It’s very hilly and offers some great views of the city. Thank you for sharing such a great video ❤️ :)
I was able to ride that recently when they were doing work in the tunnel after 8pm.
The windows look nice and clean LOL.nice clear view.......mind boggeling engineering to keep everything running smoothly and safely . Cool seeing the guy bring his bike onboard.. Lost the insect ( dragon fly ?) on the window at 24:50 ... got on at 23:46. It had a nice ride ..guess it was his stop LOL...Thank you for the subtitles ..added a lot to the enjoyment and understanding . I enjoyed the Red Line the most too : } I know your arm had to be so tired from holding the camera ..The seats looked like metal...had to hurt after a while for sure .. Thank you for sharing the ride : }
t
My arm was sore, but was worth the effort. I didnt even notice the dragonfly lol
@@JPVideos81 At first I thought the dragon fly was a helicoptor ...LOL..
JP I am surprised you didn't point out a little bit of history at the Library Station....a relic of the cold war and the protection of the steel mills around Pittsburgh. Right across from the station was a Nike Missle.
I didnt realize it was there until after boarding again. Since I didnt get footage of it, I didnt add anything about it.
I'm from Cincinnati, Ohio and I love to drive up to Pittsburgh since it's not that far. I enjoy the light rails out there.
Love Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Bell connector is a first step towards light rail hopefully some day. I thought I read they were going to extend service to UC and Clifton
JP do you even realize your Smiling from ear to ear again.. You have have a new Spring in your step an brand new tone of excitement it truthfully so cool to see the New an better you. Its infectious. I really find it Amazing that your smiling 😃 so big without even realizing it. Love it. Thanks.
I didnt realize it, but I'm much happier now so I guess I cant hide it 😁😊
@@JPVideos81 💖💖💖 so Awesome. You can feel your new excitement.
I use to live in Dormont area and took the T all over the lines back in 2003 through summer of 2005.
I just recently filmed a walking (touring towns) video of Dormont.
JP, Ft Worth, Tx had a Trolley 🚎 System in the 20's,and 30's. The last Trolley rail system closed a few years back. The old M & O Trolley 🚎 became Leonard's Troy System it was used by Leonard's Department Store as a way to bring in more Customers. Years later ( 1978-79) when Leonard's closed their doors. Mr Charles Tandy an Industrialust bought the Property an renamed the Trolley 🚎 The Tandy. Now gone since the mid 2000's I. The name of Progress.
It's sad when they are no longer around. Wish there was more options around the country to travel by rail.
You will need to come to Philadelphia and ride the Market - Frankford line. It's an elevated train that goes to subway then back to elevated train.
I'll look into that. Thanks
If you look over the South Hills Junction portion of your video with the complex track work you can find something interesting. The rails in that location are not embedded, yet it appears to have segments of grooved rail. And the grooved rail seems to be used instead of the usual check rail components in turnout and diamond crossings. Grooved rail hasn't been rolled (made) in the U.S. since at least the middle of the 20th century. What is seen at the South Hills Junction location is actually a recreation of grooved rail made with a structure bolted to regular t-rail, giving the appearance and functionality of standard grooved rail. You can spot this work by the fittings that are bolted through the t-rail web. A very effective bit of track infrastructure engineering.
Amazing ride Jay. Reminds me a little bit of some towns in Europe were it is very common, opposed to here in the US. Great way to see cities and sight see on the cheap. I did this in Germany. Thanks again Jay for sharing all you have for Pittsburgh, it gives great firsthand experience and insight for a visit in the near future 👊👍
Probably the most inexpensive transportation around. To travel that length for 2.50 is pretty remarkable.
@@JPVideos81 does this light rail pass through the Monroeville area (particularly near the Monroeville Mall) by any chance?
Well, its a lot easier to do that stuff when you're a welfare continent 😂
aww JP you went right by my house. had i known, i'd have invited you and crew up for coffee..
No crew just me, but switch coffee with a cold glass of water lol
You sure learnt a lot info in a short about of time. Kudos
we need more light rail stations in this system in the future
So many neat things to see on the train. Very cool.
Honestly chosing between Pit and Philly, love both cities.
Got to sit on my couch all comphy and go on a cool subway ride😎 Thanks JP!!
Enjoy the ride
Wow I learned so much watching this video! I have never been to Pittsburgh and have really been enjoying the trip you took out there. I would imagine that this would be very relaxing and a great way to decompress after a days work on the ride home. The money savings alone is worth using this mode of transportation. I really enjoyed all of the rides. Thank you for taking the time to film, edit and share this Very interesting piece of Pittsburgh! 🚉 🚉 🚉
With the way gas prices are, this is an excellent alternative for those within walking distance. For people like me, its just plain fun lol
Great video . Thank you JP
My pleasure edith
Nice train ride
Enjoyed the ride through my old neighborhood. I used to take the trolley from Library to just about everywhere!!
I loved the mouse at the very beginning.
Tfs. 💖
Excellent video JP 👍👍 a lot of homes and buildings to look at. South hills junction is amazing looking, I never seen so many interlocking.
Was nice seeing the areas outside of downtown.
@@JPVideos81 I agree, it took you aways from down town PA. Some very nice looking hones, I thought. I sure love the down town area of PA, specially in that video you made. Of the walk down town PA.
I would have to agree with you that the Red Line was the most enjoyable, although the whole ride was awesome and very informative! It seems like the Pittsburgh subway is so much cleaner than what I have seen of others, and if I ever get there, I will now have a good idea of how the subway operates. Great video, thank you so much JP!
I enjoyed riding it as much as I did filming it for others to enjoy or to learn more about it.
and our downtown subway stations pipe classical music from our public radio station, WQED.
Don't you love
trains, trams, aren't they all beautiful :)
come take a ride! (at folder 2, look my way)
Great video and information. See you in February Pittsburgh!
I just returned back from Pittsburgh and enjoyed riding the "T" again.
I use the red line daily as I work at the South Hills Village mall and yes it’s easy n convenient…🎉
Thanks for covering it
My pleasure
Thanks for the info. Everything we needed to know before we hop on the T!
Enjoy your ride
i used to ride the tee line all the time i used to get it at falofield and ride it get down town its awesome transportation .
I have a new video coming out where I filmed some street action near the fallowfield station.
You can still trace the old Streetcar line from the Drake loop to Washington PA. From the Drake loop the old line followed the present day power line that is behind the homes built since 1952 (when that line was abandoned) till you get to US 19, then along US 19 on its east side till you get to Cannonsburg lake, then across the lake and then cross country to Chartiers Creek, then the old streetcar took a bridge to what is now Sarris Candy (This is the present day store, Sarris is planning to move). The parking for today's Sarris Candy is the old Streetcar Right of way minus the Bridge. The Streetcar then went through Cannonsburg, then on its own Right of way to Houston PA, then through Houston and back on its own Right of way to the present day Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, then to Washington PA
The biggest problem for the route in Washington County was the area the Streetcar went through was undeveloped till modern US 19 was built in 1952 (and to build that road much of the Right of Way of the old Streetcar line was sold off to people who wanted land next to the then newly built US 19 between the Allegheny County line and Canonsburg Lake).
Please note much of the above Right of Way is now held by private property owners, thus you can follow the old route by using parallel streets not the old Right of Way (Except in a local park where the Right of Way is now a path to that park).
Here is a Video of the old Streetcar line to Washington pa:
czcams.com/video/lwYT6aAzwAs/video.html
The Library line use to go to Donora and Charleroi on the river along what is now know a PA 88. The Library line can still be seen from maps to just short of Brownsville Extension Road (I remember going over a bridge over the old tracks in the 1960s, but shortly afterward the cut was filled in and the Bridge removed. On its own Right of way it went to Finleyville, then on the streets of Finleyville till where it had a bridge over the B&O tracks and creek just south of Finleyville. After 2000 a Supermarket was built on land the Streetcar went through but from they the Streetcar went along PA 88 till it hit PA 837, then it split and used several bridges and Right of ways to get to Donora and Charleroi.
More on that line: czcams.com/video/PJ74zsvDBCA/video.html
Here is an article from 1952 on these lines:www.charleroiinterurban.com/era-forward.htm
Here is a paper on these lines going back to 1869 when these routes were first built as a narrow gauge railway:
web.archive.org/web/20110604192112/memory.loc.gov/pnp/habshaer/pa/pa3400/pa3483/data/pa3483.pdf
Enjoyed that. $7 is a great deal. I was surprised at how few passengers there were.
Low ridership since Pandemic? Surprised they run 2 car trains!
@@tomfields3682 we don't have a choice - the terrain makes anything longer pretty hard
Great video , I enjoyed the whole ride along with you. Thanks for taking the time to do everything. I am a train collector myself, and share your enthusiasm. I have 79 locomotives (15 of which produce smoke) and about 500 others, box cars, full streamline sets ect... Furthermore, the REDLINE was my favorite also. Again thanks, Storm.
You're killing it with these releases
Enoyed the whole ride 🚂👍
Thanks for watching mel
JP,
Finally starting looking nice when I saw the Forsythia Bushes, but those red light stops!
Passenger trains don't get No respect, I bet everybody would be waiting it those 120 plus freight trains were going through:)
That street footage is something else...!!!! The San Francisco cars are cable and are awesome going up the steep hills,
these remind me so much of the trolleys I remember in NYC when I was little.
I used to Love ridi9ng the subways!
Your captioning was excellent, it really added to the whole experience.
I wonder what's next?
Cheers,
Rik Spector
Thanks rik
thank you for uploading this video!! the red line was the line i went on as a child, most of the time i took it to allegheny to go to the science center and occasionally to south hills village cause back in my day most red line trains ended at overbrook junction making people transfer if they want to go more south, i heard recently that they extended all trips to south hills village and i was like “OH THANK GOD” cause i hated transferring back in the day and i was waiting for it for so long so i was really glad that it happened.
Thanks for checking out the video
I really like this video because I lived in both Castle Shannon and Dormont and rode both lines to work at different times of course ! I did it for years, and it was so nice to Watch this because I felt like I was on the trolley too! It brought back so many memories! Thanks for the video and all the research you did!
Thanks for watching and sharing 😊
My wife and I are planning to go to Pittsburgh shortly just to get away for the weekend. I intend to ride the T and came across your video. Very nicely done, sir!
I was born and raised in New York City, so I grew up riding trains. I love the trains and I'm looking forward to riding the T, especially that Red Line! 👍🏾
Enjoy your trip and your ride on the T
My favorite stop is Gateway.
I recently found out that the gateway station is relatively new. The line used to turn around there and there an older unused section that can be seen if you look at the correct moment.
@@JPVideos81 yes that is correct. it was completely redesigned and then the underwater tunnel was built and 2 other stops were added. you can see part of the old station when you are in the tunnel coming from wood street.
It's good that they retained those unused tracks for emergency rerouting. Perhaps they will also be restored to full service eventually and not get ripped up.
Remarkable how a transit system operates without passengers.
Love your videos! If you want more street car views, ride any line from Steel Plaza to South Hills Junction. They all detour after 8pm from right before Station Square up through Allentown; up the backside of My Washington. You'll be on the street the whole way. I think you'll really enjoy it even though it's a short ride.
*Mount Washington
I considered that, but its a bit of a walk and gets dark. But i recently did a video of them riding the streets by the fallowfield and hampshire stops.
Great video. I look forward to more. I miss the sound of the T. Red line is my favorite too.
Fyi the bus u saw go out of the tunnel is now retired 5655 and the one that went in is Retired 5611
The old gateway station is still there but barely visible it's was closed with North side expansion. I remember getting off at the old gateway station in the 2000s it resembled the wood and steel plaza stations.
At 11:34 as the t is pulling into wood street station if you look through the window on the left you can see the lower platform we're the benches are that lower platform was used strictly by the old pcc trains then would go to Penn Station we're the east bus way is at then would reverse back upto the drake loop.
I saw them, but at the time didnt know what they were for. Is there still access to that area from the surface?
@@JPVideos81 no they have it locked off but I was able to locate a video from the 1990's to show you what it was used for you'll have to skip to 3:20 on the video to see the old pcc trains
czcams.com/video/wt5rfwkUvJQ/video.html
Well we don't have subways up here just buses one train called the ghan only for travelln to other city good lookin out from window and to see the tracks and scenery was awsom watching this video but I'd hate to be on a subway late at night .. enjoyed thanks jp
I'd prefer to ride this one than nyc late at night.
@@JPVideos81 I'll take your word for it as I wouldn't know. 👍
Very nice job. I wanted to learn more about this system as I knew very little before watching your video. I did watch in its entirety. Surprised to learn you are from the Scranton area. I grew up in Chinchilla which is about 10 miles north of Scranton.
Good ole clarks summit area. Thanks for watching.
I would rate this an "F" ....for fun! How many miles long are the respective lines? Seems like a substantial ride, lots of bang for the buck. Thanks for the ride!
I guess I'll accept an F in this case lol. All 3 lines run on over 26miles of track. For 2.50 one way, it's a very affordable way to travel to and from the city.
The Silver Line is about 13/14 miles from downtown to Library. The Blue and Red Lines are roughly 11 miles from downtown to South Hills Village. The total length of all the lines is 26.2 (keep in mind certain stretches of track are shared between lines).
Very fascinating ! Very good system ! Wondered if you wh e re close to beaver Pennsylvania ! Not sure how far that is from Pittsburgh !
Beaver is about a 30-40 minute drive from Pittsburgh.
look at the stone wall at 44:33
Steel Plaza is so undervalued and underutilized- those abandoned tracks should take ppl to union station with connections to Amtrak.. Light Trail should go from Downtown to Oakland
And Downtown to Pittsburgh Intl Airport…it’s to under developed especially coming from a powerhouse city with all these railroads 🛤️
Not use too you being so quiet in a video. Enjoyed the ride thanks for sharing 👍😀
I even surprised myself 😁
7 dollars for all that Amazing 👏 ❤
Really enjoyed the journey, seeing the different homes in the suburbs but I wouldn't like to live near the train line, it was strange to see trains having to stop for cars. Is there a start & finished time for the trains.
They run past midnight and start again around 5am I believe.
They start around 5 AM and run until around 1 AM on weeknights, 11 PM/midnight on weekends.
And as someone who grew up near these lines and have many friends who live with it running through their backyards - you get used to it very quickly, and they don’t make an insane amount of noise like a freight train does.
@@SebisRandomTech thanks for the correct info
@1:05:28 a 24-hour vaccum place? Sounds like Better Call Saul...
Is it free? Loved the vid
Free within downtown. Once you go past first ave stop, you pay.
My house made its cameo 1:12:43
sorry Jp bad times for me depressed brian Ireland UR happy Will get back
Brian, just know there's someone thousands of miles away, here in the US, that you have never met, that has been where you are now. This will pass my friend, no matter what the cause; it gets better. Have patience and faith, it gets better. Be well and try to think of something other than what is troubling you. 😉👊✌
Bet lockdown not helped tàke it one dày at a time
Positive vibes 🧡 Good Energy 🌠 And a Big Hug to you @hi world Stephenson
You sat on the wrong side the whole trip!
The t is not sufficient it doesn't go through half of the city not included are Monroeville Homestead squirrel hill the airport bracken ridge Beaver Washington the meadows casino Robinson West Mifflin McKeesport Lawrenceville Turtle Creek Braddock Export etc the T is lame invest in your subway NYC 4life
Its small and should be expanded and have a link from the airport, which was in the planning stages from the 60s in Pittsburgh, SD also !
Agreed they should even expand it to the north hills as well even out to monroeville