The PATrain Story - Pittsbugh's Ill-Fated Commuter Train

HUGE Thanks to my good friend SteelAndCities for his ginormous help in this video!!
Pittsburgh is a city in Southwestern PA and is most known for being the site of the Monongahela River and the Allegheny River’s confluence into the Ohio River. It’s the easternmost of the historically industrial midwest cities. It’s probably not the first city you think of when you think of commuter rail, because it’s mostly known for its light rail and bus network operated by Pittsburgh Regional transit, better known by their former name of the Port Authority. But, did I ever tell you that there used to be ANOTHER train that they had that didn’t quite go the way they hoped? Ladies and gentlemen, sit back and relax, as me and my good SteelAndCities friend tell you the story of the PATrain - Pittsburgh’s Ill-Fated Commuter Train.
Sources/Credits:
en.wikipedia.o...
akronrrclub.wo...
news.google.co...
akronrrclub.wo...
www.american-r...
• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvan...
• Last Days of the PaTrain
• Pittsburgh PAT 1986 Pa...
• 1,000 Subscriber Speci...
• Sampler of Pittsburgh ...
• Pittsburgh PAT 1986 Pa...
Music:
• letting go
• Let's Dance
• C418 - Stal (Minecraft...
• Me for You
• Hisstocrat - Super Mar...
• Jincheng Zhang - Onese...
• HOME - Resonance
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[@steelandcities]

Glad I could help, the video looks great!

[@westofhudsonstudios4726]

thanks for your help, bro!

[@brianbrwa]

Do you have a video on the Neoplan composite bus?

[@ConanTheLibrarian-n5q]

I commuted from McKeesport to Downtown on the PATrain from 1981 until the service ceased to operate. This video brought back a lot of bittersweet memories. The so-called express buses kept adding more stops until the runs were renamed as "Flyers." The commuting time on the Flyers was almost as long as the local runs. In Pittsburgh, the residential growth has been in the northern suburbs, which doesn't have much in the way of mass transit. As for the Mon Valley where I grew up, the only thing I can say is: "Will the last person leaving the Mon Valley please turn off the lights,"

[@Zeppflyer]

I'm a Monroevillian and, when I started working Downtown, I tried taking the Flyer from either Beulah Church or Golden Mile. Either way, it took forever and I'd usually end up standing for most of the ride in. Once I found a free parking lot, I gave up and started driving. It may be one of the best BRT systems in the country, but it's still not *good*.

[@josephbrandtner7713]

Pronunciations local to Pittsburgh: PAT TRAIN; PORT VUE (PORT VIEW); NORTH VERSAILLES (NORTH VER SALE). If you want a commuter train to fail, schedule one arrival at 7:45 am; the next train after 9:00 am.

[@Zeppflyer]

Well done them on pronouncing 'Youghiogheny', though.

[@crazydog1243]

Was on the last train ever myself when I was a kid.

[@Zeppflyer]

About 15 years ago, I attended a presentation at the Greensburg Courthouse on a plan to restart commuter services along the Pennsy mainline, with stops in Derry, Latrobe, Greensburg, Jeannette, Turtle Creek, Braddock, and Downtown. The advantage to this was that much of the infrastructure was still in place, with existing AmTrak stations in Latrobe, Greensburg, and Pittsburgh, and open space to replace demolished stations at the other stops. Plus, the old Mainline is still double-tracked for its whole length and the right of way for the original quadruple track still exists in most places. Nothing ever came of it. At least we're finally getting a second train to Harrisburg in the next few years. Pittsburgh has, several times, been victim to overly ambitious transit schemes that sucked all the air out of the room and prevented funding and support for more grounded proposals. Take a look at Skybus and the long, sad saga of Pittsburgh-connecting maglevs.

[@mike6206]

Well done, guys! The collapse of the steel industry, IMHO, was the biggest contributor to PATrain's demise. As steel mill after steel mill was shut down for good, jobs and riders were lost permanently.

[@centredoorplugsthornton4112]

The PATrain fleet was 2 F7 units and 10 (not 9) ex-C&O cars. Three of the C&O cars were rebuilt to cab cars with HEP generators.

[@steelandcities]

Thanks for the info

[@ConanTheLibrarian-n5q]

Back in the spring of 1970 and when I was in the sixth grade at Grandview Avenue School in McKeesport, we got a half-day off when the last train went through the city's central business district. I didn't go to see the event and I doubt that many of my friends did either. The train was rerouted from the business district to a route along the Youghiogheny and Monongahela Rivers,

[@WTDoorley]

Thanks for the memories. I rode the PATrain a couple of times with my friends in my high school years. It wasn't all that convenient for me, as I lived closer to bus and streetcar lines, but the novelty of the trip made it fun. I understand why the service ended, but I was sorry to see it go. I honestly believe that if we had better public transportation to neighborhoods like Hazelwood and towns like Braddock, they would see a renaissance. Oh, and a couple of regional pronunciation things. We called it the "PAT-train," since it was run by Port Authority Transit ("PAT"). Our regional pronunciation of Versailes is phonetic, "ver-SALES" (as well as North "ver-Sales"), and for Port Vue rhymes with "cue." Hope yinz have a great day!

[@RileyjamesLovebontempo]

B&O PATtrain serviced Pittsburgh,Braddock, McKeesPort, PortVue ie pronounced PortVue on Pittsburgh Division onto Keystone Division to service Versailles pronounced Versales. B&O Pittsburgh to Connellsville PA had possible 15 stops in Allegheny County with possible 5 stops in Westmoreland County and possible 5 stops in Fayette County PA leading into Connellsville Yard.

[@ThePittsburghLimitedRailfanner]

As a Pittsburgh railfan (if not obvious via my channel name) I appreciate that someone made a nice documentary about a small section of Pittsburgh Railroad history. Very cool!

[@robertwillhite9077]

A little bit more research and you could have figured out how to pronounce some the places mentioned. Western PA does not usually pronounce french words like the french do.

[@jpleva9987]

In other words, it’s “vur-SALES”, not “vehr-SIGH”.

[@beerybill]

Have to wonder about narrators who don't bother to research correct pronunciations. This narrator is obviously not from the Pittsburgh area.

[@johnfleming9909]

It was also called the PAT train not PA train.

[@steelandcities]

i found out the day this video came out that the french pronunciations were wrong, but oh well. this is the first time i've done voice work like this so I was focused more on trying to sound natural than researching local pronunciation. you learn something new everyday

[@davidpayne3628]

@@beerybill I thought the same before he even finished his first sentence.

[@csxnspittsburghdivision8580]

Thank you for making this video about the PATtrain .

[@Pensyfan19]

Pretty interesting video. Named commuter trains are pretty rare in North America. I also find it interesting how this service still ran RDCs in addition to 4 car consists.

[@josh8344]

The interurban lines like the harmony short line that existed until 1931 are a far better fit for services around Pittsburgh. It was fully electric and could hit 70 mph

[@emjay5577]

Not from Pittsburgh but I enjoyed the video . I liked the paint scheme of the train also. Thanks!

[@wes1243]

This is literally the first I've ever heard of this train

[@hoonami139]

I see you using Potsu for that opening music, great video

[@B-and-O-Operator-Fairmont]

7:39 - Probably the only B&O Color Position Light signal with three lower markers and no high markers.

[@MK-of7qw]

We could so use this now. ANYTHING to avoid those dang tunnels.

[@The_Timberwolve4731]

I wonder how it would do in today’s Pittsburgh area or if they even expanded it to places outside of Pittsburgh for those commuters that drive the outside areas such as Belle Vernon Uniontown Etc to have riders go that way

[@markantony3875]

The downfall of commuter rail in Pittsburgh was two fold. Economic change and the local topography. The Pittsburgh region is very hilly with very little flat area to run railroads. Railroads are confined to the larger river and stream valleys, which is also where the large industrial plants where located. When the economy change from manufacturing to tech in the 1980's, the population centers shifted too. The old industrial towns in the valleys lost population, while the new suburbs that supported the new economy where built in the hill regions north and south of the city along Interstate 79. There was no way to provide commuter rail to these new growth areas, and the population that had access to rail disappeared with the declining heavy industry.

[@wallsknob]

Ive lived south of Allegheny County for sixty years in Fayette & Greene & Westmoreland & Washington Counties. Versailles wasn't pronounced like the Royal Palace in France. It was pronounced VER-SAILS with VER rhyming with HER, and SAILS rhyming with TAILS or TALES. Port Vue didn't rhyme VUE with VOODOO instead VUE rhymed with DUE or DEW.

[@maestromecanico597]

Nicely done. I get funny looks when I mention past state supported commuter trains in Pittsburgh (PAT) and Detroit (SEMTA).

[@pennsyrailfan]

Ah, the PATrain, read something about it awhile ago but this video was a welcome reminder!

[@NorthAtlanticRails]

I'm not sure if I'm correct about this but I think the Connecticut Department of Transportation acquired the F7As and Pullman cars after they were retired from PATrain since there's photos of CDOT owned F7As with the same numbers, 6690 and 6691 also they'd sometimes pull the same looking Pullman cars one of which was a cab car

[@RailfanDylan]

Are they still around.

[@NorthAtlanticRails]

@@RailfanDylan Not sure about the Pullman cars but the F7As are at the Galveston Railroad Museum in Texas and now they wear a Santa Fe paint scheme

[@centredoorplugsthornton4112]

@@NorthAtlanticRails during the 90s Connecticut DOT got new Shore Line East cars and engines. They had bought the 2 F units and 9 of the 10 cars from PAAC. Six coaches went to Norfolk Southern for excursion use but 5 of em were later sold at auction.

[@NorthAtlanticRails]

@@centredoorplugsthornton4112 Ok

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

Another great story well told! You're doing fine!

[@kevinhoward9593]

Didnt the B&O build their own Pittsburgh terminal for commuter runs? or was it just their normal station? If I remember correctly PAT went to the new B&O Station as its terminal

[@RileyjamesLovebontempo]

Portvue is like Portview. Versailles is like Versales.

[@steelandcities]

when i did my voiceover i used the french pronunciations, but i found out afterward the local pronunciation, thanks!

[@RileyjamesLovebontempo]

I have learning disabilities but when it comes to learning railroads and canals I've been able for the most part to break them down on lines or Pennsylvania railroad lines and what lines were the

[@Society2day]

That Midwestern accent can be any more local

[@vinniemac274]

Oh my... That's not how you say Versailles. This isn't France.

[@markantony3875]

Western PA was originally part of Colonial France. After the British took over, they butchered the French pronunciation of existing French names. People in Western PA have been saying these names totally wrong ever since. Versailles is not the only local name mispronounced...

[@vinniemac274]

@@markantony3875Residents, by definition, cannot mispronounce their own town. See also: New Madrid, Missouri

[@markantony3875]

@@vinniemac274 Historically speaking, they sure can mispronounce the name. In some respect, it does not matter other than people who know the correct pronunciation just laugh at them for not knowing the correct pronunciation.

[@vinniemac274]

@@markantony3875 By your absurd irrational non-logic, Pittsburgh is pronounced Pittsboro.

[@markantony3875]

@@vinniemac274 That is how it was originally pronounced. Like the Scottish Edenborough. See, you are now learning...KZbin can actually be educational for people like you...

[@RileyjamesLovebontempo]

P&LE RR's Brownsville line that connected to P&LE operated Monongahela Valley Division and proposed Wheeling VA now WV Division. Pittsburgh Station Square, 22nd Street, Homestead single B&O lower single track today at Amity Street Crossing for U.S. Steel Fort Frick Entrance, Rankin, Braddock, Riverton, McKeesPort and PRT past PAT Transit Center at cut curve for B&O., Glassport, Wylie, Elizabeth, Lock no. 3, Bunola, Monongahela City, Gallatin, Milesville, Webster, Monessen, Belle Vernon, Fayette City, Newell, Brownsville and Junction.

[@videothen]

Wonder if any of the stations survived after discontinuation. I know the Grant Street terminus in Pittsburgh is gone, and think the McKeesport Transit Center is too.

[@vidguy1976]

As we lived in the South Hills we never had any use for the PAT Train but we did go down and ride it out and back over it's last week of service to say that we at least rode it once. And I know you are not local so not in the know but Versailles is pronounced as it is spelled more or less (ver-sales), not like how the French do.

[@RileyjamesLovebontempo]

B&O PIttsburgh had Stations in Pittsburgh (2), Hazelwood, Gltenwood at old new bridge, Rankin, Braddock, Bessemer, Drummler Yard for B&O at McKeesPort Duquesne Bridge, Riverton, MckeesPort Transit tunnel at cut curve for cut B&O from Rankin Bridge to Long Run Creek, From Rankin Bridge locations B&O was forced onto P&LE. B&O Stations se of 15th Street Bridge below Walnut Street with stops at U.S. Steel Christy Works & Park, Versailles pronounced Versales as PAT Train stops at Pittsburgh Grant Street at 1st Avenue, Braddock on P&LE tracks, McKeesPort Transit Center on P&LE, right pull on P&LE to srervice now to host by CSX then P&LE to end Pittsburgh Division to start Keyston Division for PATtrain at Versailles pronounced Versales, B&O cut Stations at Coulter, Shaner, Scott Haven, Sutrersville, West Newton at or near PA 136, Fitz Henry, Smithton, Jacobs Creek, Banning and Banning Mine Disaster, Layton PA 982, Dawson, Broad Ford, Connellsville and B&O Yard.

[@RileyjamesLovebontempo]

Historical facts within this post deal with the B&O RR and Vanderbilt controlled PMickey known as the Pittsburgh McKeesPort & Youghiogheny Division of the Vanderbilt controlled Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad with the P&LE RR's Brownsville Division which the Brownsville Division connected to the P&LE RR's Monongahela Valley Railway. This post and others will give historic information leading up to what West OF Hudson Studios that did this video and did a great job at it with them not being from Pittsburg now Pittsburgh PA Region. The Offices for the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad were at what is now Station Square on PA 837 at the Smithfield Street Bridge where East/West Carson Street changes names for the P&LE RR to be below West Carson Street to reach stops that I will mention from MP 0 up to Geneva College PA in Beaver County PA. At the inbound side of the Smithfield Street Bridge at historic Water Street now named Fort Pitt Blvd. along the inbound side of the sidewalk where ramp down to Warf today is located is the location of the historic B&O RR Station as the staton was torn down to build the Parkway East as the last B&O Station was located at Grant Street at 1st Avenue as the B&O line today has its property running along the Parkway East as it goes under the PRT, past Pittsburgh & Steubenville RR, Panhandle RR and the Chartiers and Monongahela Valley Railroad Divisions being what many of us call the shelf along PA 837 & PA 51 between Chartiers Creek at the Pittsburgh, McKeesRocks Boarder on down to Mon Valley. As the B&O picks up the PA Canal Portion of the PA/ Chesapeake & Ohio Canal was built by City of Pittsburg no Pittsburgh from Downtown Pittsburgh and the PA Canal Basin is where Greyhound-Link Buses enter and exits and lays over in their bays as the Canal crossed Liberty Avenue to pull right to the left of the Mon. Valley, Pittsburgh & Steubenville, Chartiers and Panhandle Divisions tunnel that PRT partly uses today as PAT now PRT partly tore out as they fully ripped out the smaller Canal tunnel that can barely be recognized today under the ramp for the back end of the U.S. Post Office/ Federal Building today at Penn Station. As both the canal tunnel to the left is along 6th Avenue between lower part of Centre Avenue between 6th Avenue & 5th Avenue out to 4th Avenue end of Grants Hill Tunnel the bigger railroad tunnel now light rail tunnel is to the left as we are under historic Grants Hill as we are between Penn Station AMTRAK for PRT past PAT to service 1st Avenue Station alongside Avenues A&B leading onto the PRR's mixed Division trestle you name as the PRR' Panhandle Division. The Canal tunnel was torn out but as you get off under the tunnel for Mellon Bank now Citizen tower as we walk down to enter Steel Plaza we are walking over what was the canal tunnel as the canal exited between the on ramp for the Liberty bridge and tunnel as parts of railroad rails can still be seen today as the canal used Try Street under 2nd Avenue and is where 1st Avenue parking garage is located today as canal pulled left down to Saline Street as B&O passenger train tracks came from Smithfield Street Bridge and location of last statoin for B&O where PNC Banks check cashing Center is located to day at Grant Street as B&O filled in the Canal down to wye for Panther Hollow Junction for B&O to service and operated the PAT Train with B&O Ticket Agents.

[@jeffreyferretti8222]

Just a geography FYI, Pittsburgh is not in the Midwest. It's in the Northeast.

[@TimOGhoul]

It's pronounced "ver-sales" and "port view," yinz.

[@realazduffman]

It's Port-VIEW, not Port-VOO

[@TacoBean]

1:56 it’s pronounced ver-sales

[@woods840]

Port voo? Come on man! Otherwise great video.

[@Wesley45454]

Versigh lol😊

[@JBG1968]

Port view , not port vu . lol