The iconic Grand Course restaurant at Station Square in Pittsburgh will be one of the historic dining spots offered on the ‘From Steam to Steel’ Warther Tour celebrating 200 years of railroading in America.
Courtesy Visit Pittsburgh
As our world seems to rapidly speed into the future and the emphasis once again turns to spaceships, launch vehicles and establishment of space stations that most of us cannot even begin to imagine, there are many of us who prefer to step back in time to experience the glory days of rail travel while sitting back and enjoying the scenery pass, maybe looking up to the sky now and then pondering where that space station will be built.
For those who prefer to seize the day and contemplate the past rather than be disconcerted by the future, we have the perfect rail trip that will continue the celebration of our country.
Railroading will share the historic limelight in 2027 as the nation celebrates America’s Railroading Bicentennial with the first commercial train departing Baltimore on Feb. 28, 1827. We’ve charted a motorcoach with Warther Tours, the tour company that specializes in historic train tours and has taken us on some great tours. We’ll begin our journey in Pittsburgh, ending in Baltimore with historic stops along the way. We’ll ride trains through historic Pennsylvania and dine in iconic buildings.
We start our adventure in Pittsburgh where this once steel town supplied the steel necessary to build sturdy engines to power historic trains, many still rolling today. We get right in the historic mood as we enter the historic Drury Hotel, once the Pittsburgh branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland.
Located in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh, today the hotel is a testament to the art deco era prevalent in 1931 when the bank opened its massive doors. Our two nights in Pittsburgh will center on touring this incredible city that was at the very heart of the industrial revolution and railroading’s future.
There’s even a tie between Carson City and Pittsburgh. The Pennsylvania architect, Mifflin E. Bell, designed many of Pittsburgh’s federal buildings as well as our landmark Paul Laxalt Building, Nevada’s first federal building serving as a U.S. Post Office and federal courthouse built in 1888.
The true highlight here will be the dinner experience at the magnificent Grand Concourse train station in Station Square. The signature Pittsburgh drink is a “shot and a beer.” Make sure the beer is Iron City beer, and the shot is whiskey but don’t overdo it, for there’s a whole lot more to see and experience.
Though Amtrak is not considered a historic train, you will ride the rails to Altoona experiencing the thrill of the famous 2,375 foot Horseshoe Curve just before you enter Altoona. The curve was built entirely by hand, completed in February 1854.
From Altoona, it’s just over a three-hour motorcoach journey through the beautiful Pennsylvania countryside to enjoy a two-night visit in Gettysburg to learn the history of the Civil War. The meal planned at the famous and historic Dobbin House; site of the underground railroad is a memorable highlight. The house was built in 1776 and is the oldest standing structure in this once war-torn city.
Then travel to New Freedom to board the historic North Central Railway used by President Abraham Lincoln on his way to deliver the famous Gettysburg address. You may be pulled by the Civil War-era engine Steam Locomotive No. 17 while riding in vintage coaches. It is said the ghost of Lincoln often rides this train still today.
The grand finale will be two nights in Baltimore staying at the Baltimore Kimpton Hotel Monaco, once the site of the headquarters for the B&O Railroad. Opened in 1906, the hotel is full of railroading history conveniently located in the Inner Harbor.
You will tour the city and the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum, the birthplace of American railroading, recently renamed the National Museum of Railroad History & Innovations. Here, you will be wowed by the historic locomotives, cars and exhibits stored in the roundhouse. You’ll ride the Mile One Express, a vintage diesel-powered train for one mile on the historic track that launched commercial railroading.
Since Baltimore is just 40 miles from Washington D.C., we will spend our last full day in this region touring the highlights of our nation’s capital. For those wishing to stay longer, we can accommodate that request.
Departing on May 15, 2027, the weather should be perfect for touring and Pennsylvania’s lovely green countryside. The per person cost of $4,049 includes seven nights in great hotels, 13 meals, round-trip air from Reno, a full-time tour escort, admissions to museums, train excursions, luggage handling and gratuities.
We expect this great tour to sell out, so early booking is a must. Come join us as we continue to celebrate American culture and history emphasizing the 200th anniversary of railroading. Call the Carson City Chamber at 775-882-1565 to book. Online brochure available on travel club page at carsoncitychamber.com.