Amtrak's 2014 Autumn Express

Thank you.  We may be in the Philly area and I would very much like to ride that if we get the chance.  I did not know they were doing it this year.

Is there any chance 765 will run this route in the future with NS? Is 765 even returning to PA next year? If NS could negotiate with Amtrak for use of the Harrisburg station as a boarding point, they could have an excursion to Philly or even Newark, NJ both locations have wyes as well as Reading, PA. This excursion while rare mileage is riding in an ordinary Amtrak train. It would be more special if it were the NS Reading heritage unit or F units pulling the NS business cars and new steam program coaches on this route. But it's being operated by Amtrak, not NS.

Robert, to answer your first question, no. Part of this route runs on CSX, and their current views on steam operations would prevent the 765 running over the High Line through Philadelphia. That being said, the remainder of the route from West Falls to Harrisburg is a different story. That is all NS, and there is a possibility. I would reserve further and future judgment to the people with more knowledge in logistics and operations than myself.

So 765 could never touch 30th St. Station because it is on Amtrak property and the only way to get to 30th St. Station from NS Harrisburg Line is to use CSX? Could Harrisburg Station ever be used as a future boarding point for a 765 excursion? Why was Lewistown chosen instead of Harrisburg last year as the boarding point for the Horseshoe Curve Special? Maybe Harrisburg to West Falls and return? Or, how about a place that 765 has boarded from before in 1988? NJT's Bound Brook station but boarding from the south platform (is that NS track) that connects directly to NS's Lehigh Line. Then, go to Reading, PA and return, or Harrisburg, or West Falls. No CSX there. But, isn't part of the mainline in Bound Brook Conrail Shared Assets that is also used by CSX? Could 765 run on Conrail Shared Assets tracks? Last year NS, M&E, and NJT had the Lehigh Limited train on that route to Bethlehem, PA and return, a circle trip. Things get more complex in NJ, eastern PA because of other railroads owning tracks besides NS that aren't so steam friendly. When 765 did it's circle trip through Philly in 1988 that is a route that would be impossible today because CSX owns the track between Manville, NJ and Philly sharing some track with SEPTA. Also there's the cab signal issue on some routes but 765 already had cab signals installed. I guess it's easier for Amtrak or other operators that have diesel power to operate excursions in the northeast that involve more than one railroad's track. So what is CSX's policy toward Amtrak charters, railfan trips? They will allow them if Amtrak equipment or Amtrak certified equipment is used, and power must be diesel? 

So NS doesn't own any track in downtown Philly? Map. Looks like all Amtrak, SEPTA and CSX. Where does NS's Harrisburg line go south of West Falls? Does NS's ownership end in Philly?

Does anyone have an address for the Amtrak parking garage for the 30th St.Station that I could use in my GPS?  I have the tickets for Sunday, November 9 and will be driving up to the station.

Thanks!

Side Rod