#penndot

[aryburn-trains]

CR 2973; Pitcairn, PA; October 1981

In the spring of 1981, PennDot shut down the Parkway East for a rebuilding project. Their solution to this were commuter trains that ran between Pittsburgh and Greensburg. The power for these trains were U36B units on both ends. The train ran only from March to November of 1981, so this scene at Pitcairn of the Parkway Limited that October may very well have been one of the last scenes captured of this unique train.

CR 2973. Pitcairn, PA. October 12, 1981. David Hamley photo.

[mbrainspaz]

PennDot is memeing at us now

[rabbitcruiser]

Hope

What do you think about my pic?

[yinzcantpark]

‪Man! If only we had the technology to develop some sort of early warning system for bad weather so we could have clear roads in the morning. Dare to dream, I guess...

[aryburn-trains]

CR 2971; Swissvale, PA; March 1981

In early 1981, while the Parkway East was closed, PennDot decided to run a series of commuter trains between Pittsburgh and Greensburg. These trains were called the 'Parkway Limited', and led by U36B units that were originally supposed to be for the Auto-Train. This train only ran until November of that year due to ridership levels going down to next to nothing. In March of 1981, CR 2971 is in the lead of the Parkway Limited as it blasts through Swissvale, PA.

CR 2971. Swissvale, PA. March 12, 1981. David Hamley photo.

[aryburn-trains]

PennDOT "Parkway Limited" at Wilkensburg, PA, 1981

Short-lived train offered by PennDOT during the reconstruction of the Parkway in the early 1980s. Amtrak equipment and Conrail crews.

[aryburn-trains]

CR 2971; Radebaugh, PA; July 1981

The Parkway Limited only existed for about eight months in 1981, but it was certainly well documented. This infamous train was funded by PennDot to provide commuter service between Greensburg and Pittsburgh while the Parkway East was being constructed. The train used refurbished Amtrak coaches as well as four U36Bs sold to Conrail. The train is seen here in thus July 1981 shot on the controlled siding between RADE and TRAFF. The controlled siding only existed only for another year after this shot. In the background, a keen eye can see CP RADE's eastbound signal bridge sporting three signals - two for the main tracks and one for the controlled siding.

CR 2971. Radebaugh, PA. July 14, 1981. David V. Leonard photo.

[aryburn-trains]

"Parkway Limited" Last run of the day on March 10, 1981, to Greensburg, Pennsylvania, departing Pittsburgh's passenger depot. The E unit is a steam generator car and the coaches are from Amtrak. Keith Clouse photograph