PITTSBURGH'S PASSENGER TRAINS

OF THE PAST

Intercity passenger trains serving Pittsburgh in 1942, 1956, and 1971 immediately prior to the creation of Amtrak.


THE STATIONS

The major stations serving Pittsburgh, during the golden age of passenger trains.

Pennsylvania Station
1100 Liberty Ave.
Opened 1898

Number of station tracks: 8 stub/6 through
Interlocked switches controlled as follows:
UF Tower: controlled the east end of the station
US Tower: controlled the west end of the station (Fort Wayne Line)
PH Tower: controlled the west end of the station (Panhandle Line)

Station building located between Fort Wayne Line and Panhandle Line, with stub tracks extending east from building.

Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Station
Smithfield St. and Carson St.
Opened 1897

Number of station tracks: 6 (?)
Interlocked switches controlled from DX Tower

Baltimore & Ohio Station
Smithfield St. and Water St.
Opened 1889, replaced 1957

Number of station tracks: 6 (?) stub
Non interlocked switches controlled by switchtender

EARLIER RAILROADS/STATIONS

Pittsburgh & West Virginia Station
Stanwix St. and Liberty Ave.

Pittsburgh & West Virginia service was discontinued in 1931.

Each main railroad serving Pittsburgh had its own station, although beginning in 1934, many Baltimore & Ohio intercity trains actually used the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie through Pittsburgh instead.

Pittsburgh also had the largest commuter rail system in the country to eventually be completely abandoned. The Pennsylvania Railroad had a particularly extensive commuter rail system.


PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD

(Pennsylvania Railroad Station)

Departures-Westbound



No.  Name                  1942 Dest.  1942 Time  1956 Time  1971 Time

301                        Cleveland      12:05
 71  Admiral               Chicago        12:45   51   4:35 am
 49  General               Chicago        12:59       12:12
 69  Red Arrow             Detroit         1:18        2:10
 41  Cincinnati Limited    Cincinnati      1:27        1:47
 59  Liberty Limited       Chicago         1:37        1:32
 77  Trail Blazer          Chicago         1:48
 29  Broadway Limited      Chicago         1:58       12:50   49   1:31 am
 31  Spirit Of St. Louis   St. Louis       2:16        2:08        1:05 am
 65  Jeffersonian          St. Louis       2:29
 21  Spirit Of St. Louis   Indianapolis    2:40
 23  Manhattan Limited     Chicago         3:48       10:30 pm    11:30 pm
  9  Akronite              Akron           5:12
 67  American              St. Louis       5:13    3   4:14 am
 39  Clevelander           Cleveland       5:20        4:25
539                        Wheeling        5:30
415                        Erie            8:00
303  Morning Steeler       Cleveland       8:30  361   7:20
 79  Golden Arrow          Chicago         8:40
267  Cincinnati Express    Cincinnati      9:00   77   9:40
367                        Cleveland       9:15
 43  Fort Pitt             Chicago         9:30   53  11:00       11:45 am
117                        Detroit        12:20
113                        Chicago         1:50
 13                        St. Louis       2:10   11  10:48   13  10:00 am
333  Afternoon Steeler     Cleveland       3:00  363   4:10
551                        Wheeling        3:45
649                        Alliance        4:05
313                        Cleveland       5:15
155                        Indianapolis    6:05    7   5:20
 15                        Chicago         7:20   45   5:40
323                        Cleveland       8:30
 33  St. Louisan           St. Louis       9:52        8:01
 27                        St. Louis      10:30   79  10:40
 63  Golden Triangle       Chicago        11:00
105                        Detroit        11:30   65  10:00
  5  Pennsylvania Limited  Chicago        11:59   55   8:15   55   7:35 am


Arrivals-Westbound



No.  Name                  1942 Orig.  1942 Time  1956 Time  1971 Time

 71  Admiral               New York       12:38
 49  General               New York       12:59       12:12
 69  Red Arrow             New York        1:12
 41  Cincinnati Limited    New York        1:20        1:47
 59  Liberty Limited       Washington      1:37        1:32
 77  Trail Blazer          New York        1:48
 29  Broadway Limited      New York        1:58       12:50   49   1:31
 31  Spirit Of St. Louis   New York        2:16        2:08       12:43
 65  Jeffersonian          New York        2:22
 21  Spirit Of St. Louis   Washington      2:36
 23  Manhattan Limited     New York        3:34        9:50 pm    11:05 pm
  9  Akronite              New York        4:45
 39  Clevelander           New York        4:53        4:00
 67  American              New York        4:59    3   4:14
911                        Buffalo         7:37
 35  Night Express         Philadelphia    7:50        6:30
 37  Iron City Express     New York        7:55
 51  Statesman             Washington      8:20
 79  Golden Arrow          New York        8:25
927                        Phillipston     8:35
 61  Pittsburgher          New York        8:55        8:00
661                        Altoona         9:10
667                        Altoona        11:35
929                        East Brady     12:15
 13                        New York        1:24        4:20
623                        Harrisburg      2:00
 25  Metropolitan          New York        5:00        3:55        5:20
925                        East Brady      5:20
 15                        Philadelphia    5:50
 75  Duquesne              New York        8:25
901                        Oil City        8:30
 19                        Philadelphia    9:40
 33  St. Louisan           New York        9:43        7:36        9:20
  5  Pennsylvania Limited  New York       11:45   55   7:55 am     7:05 am


Departures-Eastbound



No.  Name                  1942 Dest.  1942 Time  1956 Time  1971 Time

 40  Cincinnati Limited    New York       12:03       11:48 pm
 68  Red Arrow             New York       12:25
 58  Liberty Limited       Washington     12:25       12:01
 30  Spirit Of St. Louis   New York       12:42        1:17
 48  General               New York       12:51       12:06
 20  Spirit Of St. Louis   Washington      1:02
 64  Jeffersonian          New York        1:15
 28  Broadway Limited      New York        1:22       12:36   48   1:14 am
 78  Pennsylvanian         New York        2:51
682                        Altoona         3:15
 42  Rainbow               Philadelphia    4:12   14   4:00
932                        East Brady      6:23
  2  Pennsylvania Limited  New York        7:23   54   8:25        8:50 am
  8                        Philadelphia    8:05
 54  Gotham Limited        New York        8:23   32   7:15
904                        Oil City        9:10
 72  Juniata               New York        9:45   24   1:25   16  12:35 pm
 24                        Philadelphia   11:05
 74  Duquesne              Philadelphia    2:00   26  10:40   24   4:00 pm
612                        Altoona         3:20
 46  New Englander         Boston          4:00        3:01
936                        East Brady      4:20
 18  Mail                  Philadelphia    5:00
934                        Phillipston     5:20
652                        Altoona         7:25
 52  New Yorker            New York        8:47   18   4:15
 22  Manhattan Limited     New York       10:00        9:40        9:35 pm
 16  Iron City Express     Harrisburg     10:30
 50  Statesman             Washington     10:40
 66  American              New York       10:40    4  10:50       12:29 am
 76  Trail Blazer          New York       10:45
914                        Buffalo        10:55
 60  Pittsburgher          New York       11:00       10:00
 38  Clevelander           New York       11:27       11:04
 36  Night Express         Philadelphia   11:35       10:10
 70  Admiral               New York       11:55   50   4:16 am     5:10 am


Arrivals-Eastbound



No.  Name                  1942 Orig.  1942 Time  1956 Time  1971 Time

 68  Red Arrow             Detroit        12:18       11:23 pm
 58  Liberty Limited       Chicago        12:25       12:01
 30  Spirit Of St. Louis   St. Louis      12:42        1:17
 48  General               Chicago        12:51       12:06
 20  Spirit Of St. Louis   Indianapolis   12:55
 64  Jeffersonian          St. Louis       1:08
 28  Broadway Limited      Chicago         1:22       12:36   48   1:14 am
 78  Pennsylvanian         Chicago         2:51
 42  Rainbow               Chicago         3:57
302                        Cleveland       6:40
202  Pennsylvania Limited  Cincinnati      6:45   78   6:40
  2  Pennsylvania Limited  Chicago         6:55   54   7:57        8:20 am
102  Pennsylvania Limited  St. Louis       7:00   32   6:50        6:50 am
106                        Detroit         7:40   64   7:20
 54  Gotham Limited        Chicago         8:00
 62  Golden Triangle       Chicago         8:35
 44                        Chicago        10:15       12:30 pm
 26                        St. Louis      10:15        5:40 pm
354  Valley Special        Crestline      10:30
324  Morning Steeler       Cleveland      11:00  360   9:30 am
520                        Wheeling       11:35
374                        Cleveland       1:30
118                        Chicago         4:20
  6  Allegheny             St. Louis       4:40       12:30 pm
332                        Cleveland       5:45
338  Afternoon Steeler     Cleveland       8:10  362   7:20
 52  New Yorker            Chicago         8:23        6:50
222  Iron City Express     Cincinnati      8:25   76   8:15
 22  Manhattan Limited     Chicago         9:30        9:20        9:05 pm
316  Buckeye               Cleveland       9:35
538                        Wheeling        9:50
474                        Erie            9:50
 66  American              St. Louis      10:40    4  10:50       12:09 am
 76  Trail Blazer          Chicago        10:45
 10  Akronite              Akron          10:55
 38  Clevelander           Cleveland      11:11       11:04
 70  Admiral               Chicago        11:45   50   4:16 am     4:40 am
 40  Cincinnati Limited    Cincinnati     11:57       11:20 pm


Passenger service retained by Amtrak in 1971.

Commuter Trains

In addition, and not listed above, the Pennsylvania Railroad operated numerous commuter trains over several routes, until 1964.


PITTSBURGH & LAKE ERIE

(Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Station)

Departures



No.  Name                  1942 Dest.  1942 Time  1956 Time  1971 Time

 87  Lake Cities Special   Toledo         12:40
 27                        College         6:45
 17  Morning Steel King    Youngstown      8:45   25   7:35
  5                        Erie           10:30
 85  Detroit Express       Cleveland      12:30       11:15
 43                        Youngstown      2:30        2:40
 15                        College         4:25
 33  Empire Express        Buffalo         5:00        4:00
 52                        Brownsville     5:20
 47                        College         5:20        4:15
 35                        College         5:30        4:30  261   5:30 pm
 23  Washingtonian         Cleveland       6:00        5:00
 79                        Cleveland       9:00       10:50
  7  Buffalo Express       Buffalo        11:25        9:45
 41                        College        11:40


Arrivals



No.  Name                  1942 Orig.  1942 Time  1956 Time  1971 Time

  4                        College         6:55
 38  Pittsburgh Express    Buffalo         7:17        6:50
 88  Pittsburgh Special    Toledo          7:30
  8                        College         7:50        6:40
 46                        College         8:10        7:00
 51                        Brownsville     8:10
 36                        College         8:30        7:20  260   7:45 am
 16                        Youngstown      9:30
 24  Washingtonian         Cleveland      11:20       10:10
 10                        Erie            2:10
 26  Gateway City Express  Cleveland       4:15        3:00
 30                        Youngstown      6:15        5:10
 86  Evening Steel King    Cleveland       9:05        9:00
 34  Empire Express        Erie           11:15       10:25
 22                        College        11:50


Intercity passenger service discontinued in 1963.

Commuter rail service discontinued in 1985, between Pittsburgh and College.

Several trains operated between Pittsburgh and Cleveland, operating via Erie Railroad west of Youngstown. And a few trains operated between Pittsburgh and Buffalo, operating via New York Central north of Youngstown. At the time, Pittsburgh & Lake Erie was a subsidiary of New York Central. The Washingtonian operated via Baltimore & Ohio between Pittsburgh and Baltimore, indicated below.


BALTIMORE & OHIO

(Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Station)

Departures



No.  Name                  1942 Dest.  1942 Time  1956 Time  1971 Time

  5  Capitol Limited       Chicago        12:35       11:09 pm    11:45 pm
 19  Ambassador            Detroit        12:45       11:24 pm
 25  Columbian             Chicago        12:55
 18  Wash. Night Express   Washington      1:15       12:25
 20  Ambassador            Baltimore       1:28        1:31
  6  Capitol Limited       New York        1:56        1:46        2:47 am
 26  Columbian             Washington      2:12
 17  Clev. Night Express   Cleveland       3:50        4:10
 15  Blue Ridge Limited    Chicago         4:22
  7  Shenandoah            Chicago         7:43        6:05        4:00 pm
  8  Shenandoah            New York        9:10        8:10        9:45 am
 22  Washingtonian         Baltimore      11:45       10:30 am
  9  Express               Chicago         9:15        8:55
 10  New York Express      New York       10:40       10:30 pm


Arrivals



No.  Name                  1942 Orig.  1942 Time  1956 Time  1971 Time

  5  Capitol Limited       New York       12:25       10:59 pm    11:40 pm
 19  Ambassador            Baltimore      12:43       11:14 pm
 25  Columbian             Washington     12:50
 18  Wash. Night Express   Cleveland       1:00       12:10
 20  Ambassador            Detroit         1:17        1:29
  6  Capitol Limited       Chicago         1:54        1:44        2:44 am
 26  Columbian             Chicago         2:10
 17  Clev. Night Express   Washington      3:40        4:00
 15  Blue Ridge Limited    Washington      4:10
  7  Shenandoah            New York        7:25        5:45        3:50 pm
  8  Shenandoah            Chicago         8:50        7:50        9:35 am
 21  Washingtonian         Baltimore       5:30        4:40
  9  Express               New York        8:55        8:35
 10  New York Express      Chicago        10:25       10:03


Passenger service initially discontinued in 1971 with the creation of Amtrak.

The Washingtonian operated via Pittsburgh & Lake Erie and Erie Railroad between Pittsburgh and Cleveland, indicated above.


BALTIMORE & OHIO

(Baltimore & Ohio Station)

Departures



No.  Name                  1942 Dest.  1942 Time  1956 Time  1971 Time

140                        Connellsville   6:00  560   5:15
150                        Versailles      8:10  562   6:45        7:50
 33                        Cincinnati      8:45  233   8:15
 52                        Buffalo         9:15
152                        Versailles      1:00  564   8:40       10:00
 32                        Cumberland      2:00
154                        Versailles      3:00  566  11:40        1:00
 75                        Wheeling        4:35
156                        Versailles      4:40  568   2:15        3:15
158                        Connellsville   5:20  548   4:20        5:20
 55                        Ellwood City    5:25
160                        Versailles      6:00  570   3:40        4:40
162                        Versailles      6:30  572   5:00        6:00
 35                        Cincinnati      9:10
164                        Versailles      9:15  574   8:30
 50                        Buffalo        10:00


Arrivals



No.  Name                  1942 Orig.  1942 Time  1956 Time  1971 Time

 53                        Buffalo         7:20
145                        Versailles      7:45  561   6:40        7:40
 56                        Ellwood City    7:50
147                        Connellsville   8:15  547   7:15        8:15
 36                        Cincinnati      8:50
149                        Versailles      9:15  563   7:50        8:47
157                        Versailles     10:45  565   9:45       10:55
159                        Versailles      1:20  567  12:45        1:55
 32                        Chicago         1:30
161                        Versailles      3:15  569   3:20        4:10
163                        Versailles      4:45  571   4:50        5:30
141                        Connellsville   6:10  573   6:20
165                        Versailles      8:00  575   9:30
 72                        Kenova          8:20
 51                        Buffalo         8:25
 38                        Cincinnati     11:50  238  11:00


Intercity passenger service discontinued in 1956.

Commuter rail service discontinued in 1989, between Pittsburgh and Versailles.

In 1957, with the closure of the station to make way for a road project, Baltimore & Ohio moved to a new station near Grant St. and First Ave. By then, only commuter trains were using the station.


STATIONS TODAY

The Pennsylvania Railroad station remains in use for Amtrak, although Amtrak presently uses only a small part of the station.

Pennsylvania Station (Wikipedia)
Link to a Web site containing further historical information on the Pennsylvania Station.

The Pittsburgh & Lake Erie station still stands.

Station Square
Link to an official Web site, showing how the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie station has been preserved and transformed for other uses.

The Pittsburgh & West Virginia line exited downtown Pittsburgh via the Wabash Tunnel, which after many years of disuse was adapted into a busway.

History Of Pittsburgh Commuter Rail Service
Further Information.


MAPPING THE STATIONS AND RAILROADS

Zoomable Google Maps show present and past railroads and major stations in the area. Nearly every line once had commuter service, eventually to be discontinued. Lines are shown as far as the end of the commuter service.

Also shown are major junctions and interlocking towers of the past. These also include interlockings on multiple track lines, where trains could switch tracks.

Pittsburgh Northeast
Pittsburgh Northwest
Pittsburgh Southwest
Pittsburgh Southeast