Amtrak Pittsburgh Station in Pittsburgh
Alice from Orange County,NY on 02/14/2022 12:59 PM:
Hello All,
We are planning a GAP ride in the fall 2022. We're planning on taking the train to Cumberland to start our ride back to Pittsburgh. Can you give any info on your experience if you've done this and also where did you park your car in Pittsburgh? Thanks so much! Enjoy the ride!??
Rivnuts from Homestead, PA on 02/14/2022 04:44 PM:
I have taken the Amtrak Capital Limited from Pittsburgh to DC via Cumberland. The train leaves Pittsburgh at 5:20 AM if it is on schedule and arrives in Cumberland 4 hours later at 9:20. This arrival time would allow you to start your bike trip back to Pittsburgh and get a full day of riding depending on your travel date and the time of sunset at that time. If your dates are firm and you are bringing your bikes to take on the train, you need to get your train reservations early so you can get the requisite add-on reservations for your bikes. Bike capacity on the train is limited so bike reservations can be hard to get on short notice.
The train station in Pittsburgh is in close proximity to several downtown hotels. If you are staying at one of those hotels the night before your departure, the hotel often will allow you to park there for free until you return to Pittsburgh. Aside from that there is little free parking near the train station. There is a parking garage direct across from the train station but you may find it a little expensive for your taste.
Conditions after Ida
SpinDan from Greenfield Center on 09/04/2021 09:12 AM:
Fellow cyclists, I'm looking for current conditions on the GAP/C&O trials after Ida passed through.
Are the trails open or closed? Are there any detours due to washouts of trail or bridges?
Any changes to the camping facilities or other utilities that are on the trial that may have been changed or altered to Ida.
Thank you,
SpinDan
Conditions after Ida
SpinDan from Greenfield Center on 09/04/2021 09:12 AM:
Fellow cyclists, I'm looking for current conditions on the GAP/C&O trials after Ida passed through.
Are the trails open or closed? Are there any detours due to washouts of trail or bridges?
Any changes to the camping facilities or other utilities that are on the trial that may have been changed or altered to Ida.
Thank you,
SpinDan
Our Amtrak was cancelled
Jennifer R from Houston on 08/19/2020 05:31 PM:
We booked our Amtrak back in May for October 17th from Pittsburgh to Cumberland Got an email today stating that the daily train is now only traveling Sun, Tues, and Friday. Oh well...we will rent a one way car instead. Wanted to post to let others know just in case this news will affect your travel plans, too.
John W. from Pittsburgh, PA on 08/19/2020 05:43 PM:
Jennifer R. - yeah it seems Amtrak has clawed back service to the bare minimum. I spoke to an agent when the same thing happened to me when my bike ticket got cancelled back in June. It’s all Covid related and they are expecting to go back to normal once it’s deemed safe to do so (whenever that is remains to be seen).
Thanks for the heads up to this forum.
John
Jennifer R from Houston on 08/19/2020 06:03 PM:
John...yeah I remember your post about the bike ticket being cancelled. I called to confirm our reservations with 2 bike tickets back in June and all was good. They said our bikes had a spot...so whew! But...then today...the whole reservation was cancellation. They said we could switch to the 16th or the 18th, but of course, there were no bike spots available AND...we have airline tickets flying into Pittsburgh that can't be changed without penalty. Changing the train date created a huge domino effect on EVERYTHING...we have B&Bs reserved all along the trail for specific nights. Oh well...the one way car is only about $30 more anyway.
John W. from Pittsburgh,PA on 08/19/2020 07:03 PM:
Bummer..... Yeah, I did the rental from Pittsburgh airport to Reagan airport, no issues at all. I did miss being able to take a nap on the train and not have to concentrate on the drive. But it wasn’t that bad looking back now. Just glad I had that option allowing me to do my bike tour!