Train Stores & Sites to see passing thru PA.

Wow.  I'd suggest stopping at the Railroader's Museum in Altoona, but it sounds as though your itinerary is already crammed full.

 

I'm not really clear on how close you'll come to Scranton, but Grzyboski's Trains is in that area.

 

The Carnegie Science Center has the big O gauge layout in Pittsburgh and is very close to your east bound route.

 

Mercer Junction and The Underground RR in New Castle are close to I-80 on your return route.

But check their websites to find out their hours before you leave home.

hth,

 

Bill

Only somewhat train related, but you'll be somewhat near Johnstown as well, and the flood is pretty connected to railroading history. I've not been there yet but plan on making it at some point since I read David McCullough's book on the subject for a class last semester.

It is not a train site, but something outside of trains you might consider is the United Flight 93 Memorial.  It is not directly off of the road that you will be heading to in Altoona, but not far off either.  Just something to consider since you are relatively close if you ever had thought of visiting it before.

 

I tried 2 years ago when I went to Altoona and Johnstown, but there was a government shutdown.  I plan to go back to Horse Shoe and that area in the Fall plus make sure that this time I can stop by the memorial.

 

Also, not sure if logistics play in, but the Amtrak comes through Johnstown around 9am and arrives in York around 10am, or at least 2 years ago.  I think there are other Amtraks that come as well, but if you could logistically make it work it is cool to ride through Horseshoe Curve and the Gallitzin Tunnels.

I sure would not take Rt22 east out of Pgh. Lots of traffic, lights etc. Wheeling, I70 to New Stanton, Turnpike to Somerset, RT 219 north to Rt 22 that will take you to Creson, Gallitzin then  Altoona and the Curve. Forget the Underground Shop in New Castle, only open several days or when he feels like it and it is had to find.  Mercer Junction in Mercer, Pa just north of I80 would be a better bet. Being a native of the Burgh, I would avoid the traffic and congestion on a trip like yours. There are various train stores but you would spend too much time looking for them. Good luck !! Have a safe trip.

Wow James, sounds like an epic journey.  Lots of seat time, and, I hope enough coffee to keep yourself wide awake.  Be careful.  The I-79/I-70 interchange is under construction.  Be extra cautious through there.  Traffic will probably slow down quite a bit.  Also, watch yourself on I-80.  The trucks run it at pretty high speeds, and don't offer much respect to four wheelers.  They're pretty fast along I-70 through Ohio, but that road never really bothered me.  Good luck in your trip.  Bob S.

GETTYSBURG!

Before you get to Pat's, be sure to stop at T and K Hobby in Bridgeport, OH.  It's the last exit off I-70 in OH.  Nice people, lots of inventory and some specialized stuff you won't see in many other shops.

 

T and K Hobby
500 Hall St
Bridgeport Ohio 43912
(740)633-6607

 

Thank you everyone for the replies. 

 

Bob, I will look to add T&K to the stops, since its right off 70. How far are you off this trip?

 

I don't drink coffee. I drink water. I've driven 800 miles/ 17 hours in one setting. Didn't help I lost a timezone and 2 hours to crawling in construction traffic.  Fortunately I love to drive, and love even more to drive on our nations backroads versus using Interstates to get from point to point. I can handle 53 footers.  I like driving with them moreso than other 4 wheel idiots who lack common sense. 

 

Gettysburg is too far off the path for this trip. Been there before. My Mother is from DC. 

 

Thought about Flight 93, but again its off the planned path. May reconfigure once I hit Pat's. 

 

Not too keen on Gryzboskis.  Had a bad experience with Joe, and well I don't plan on doing anymore business with them. Thanks for the suggestion though. 

 

If I return along 80, I could stop in at Mercer. Not totally locked in on a return vector yet. This trip is a lot of playing by eyes and ears, and making adjustments on the fly. Destination is Pocono Summit.  Once I have arrived and picked up Ted, I will figure out a definitive return route. 

Wheeling has Oglebay Resort, really nice O Gauge layout.

 

 

 

http://www.oglebay-resort.com/goodzoo/index.htm

 

New Castle,Pa The Underground Railroad Shop

 

http://www.undergroundrrshop.com/

 

 

The Conway rail yard in Conway,Pa

Allegheny Portage Railroad.  The park is located just off U.S. Route 22 approximately 12 miles west of Altoona.

 

http://www.nps.gov/alpo/index.htm

 

Take I-79 North and stop at Mercer Junction ( Mercer Pa.) easy access to I-80 from his shop.

James,

There are about 17 lights on Rt.22 going east from the Parkway to Rt66.  They become progressively spread out after Murrysville,about 6 miles of traffic.  After this there are a couple of lights and very light traffic until you reach Ebensburg.  I would not be deterred--it is 4 lanes the whole way with some very pretty country.

Normally,Jim's Train Shop would be a stop,of course.

Norm

When I drove thru Wheeling last week the Bridgeport ramp is closed, not only closed but gone for rebuilding.

 

   Bill T

you can jump onto I470, just a couple miles from Bridgeport.

swing by weaver models, 25 minutes off of I80 from the dansville exit on rte 11

Didn't make it to Pat's  I got caught in multiple construction traffic backups, and this didn't hit Wheeling till right at 5. 

 

Skipped going thru Pittsburgh, till another time. 

 

Did cut up across 119 to 22. Traffic was almost non-existent.

 

Saw the Gallitzen Tunnel. Then made it to the Curve as light was fading. Heard a consist comnig, and saw an Autorack train go around the curve. 

 

Made it to Altoona after darkness settled in, so didn't see much. 

 

Just stopped in Lamar off 80 for a lite dinner. Getting ready to head back out on the road. 

 

Thanks to all for the input. Will spend most of tomorrow doing little side trips, so please keep the suggestions coming. Not planning on arriving back home till after midnight, thus won't leave PA till about 6 pm.