The PATrain, also known as the Mon Valley Commuter Rail, is a defunct commuter rail service formerly operated by the Port Authority of Allegheny County in the Monongahela Valley. Service began in 1975 when the Port Authority assumed control of the Pittsburgh—McKeesport—Versailles commuter trains operated by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) (part of the Chessie System).
The Port Authority discontinued the service in 1989.
Trains operated in push-pull mode. A typical consist in the 1980s was three-four coaches, the last of which was fitted for cab control. Motive power was provided by a pair of refurbished EMD F7A electro-diesel locomotives. The trains were painted in a brown-and-orange scheme. PAT owned ten ex-Chesapeake and Ohio Railway (C&O) coaches, all originally built by Pullman-Standard. When service ended in 1989 the equipment was sold to the Connecticut Department of Transportation to start the new Shore Line East service.
The route was 18.2 miles and took a shade over 40 minutes. Inbound PATrains originated at Versailles (1st & Wampler). They then used P&LE Liberty Boro Bridge to cross the Youghiogheny River to reach Port Vue-Liberty (along River Road). Departing Port Vue, trains turned east and crossed the Youghiogheny a second time via the P&LE McKeesport Bridge to reach McKeesport (Lysle Boulevard & Sinclair). Trains then followed the north bank of the Monongahela River, heading north-northwest toward Braddock (6th & Washington). Finally, trains continued running west along the river to reach the B&O's Grant Street Station in downtown Pittsburgh. Grant Street was a commuter-only station; all B&O's intercity traffic used the P&LE's station on the opposite side of the river (now known as Station Square)
6690: Built as Southern Pacific F7A #6443 in 1953, became Wellsville Addison & Galeton #2200, then Port Authority of Allegheny County #6690, then Conneticut Department of Transportation #6690, and now Galveston Railroad Museum #315.
6691: Built as Texas and New Orleans Railroad F7A #365 in 1953, became Wellsville Addison & Galeton #2300, then Port Authority of Allegheny County #6691, then Conneticut Department of Transportation #6691, and now Galveston Railroad Museum #316.
Let's watch the PATrain on it's last days...
PAT Train Locomotive Unit #6690.
PAT Train Locomotive #6691.
Coach 1602 of the PAT Train. Too bad this service had to die, I thought it
was unique.
Locomotive 6690 in operation.
PatTrain and PCC...How cool is that?
The PATrain chugging along!
6690 Sitting at the Pittsburgh terminal.
This just looks mean!
Here are the two locomotives, sitting together...
6690 in Versailles on a winter day.
6691 at Grant Street Station.
Another shot of 6691 at Grant Street.
Cab rear of one of the "Push-Pull" cars.
Both trains resting at Glenwood.
6691 running on what is now the Eliza Furnace bike trail. This unit is almost to Pittsburghs Grant Street Station.
6691 at Laughlin Junction.
Another snowy day in Versailles, PA.
6690 coming across a bridge in McKeesport.
6690 and the colorful train...
6691 leaving Pittsburgh!
6691 and company near a industrial plant near McKeesport.
The old station, otherwise known as Grant St Station.
6690 in Pittsburgh by the Panhandle Bridge.
6691 at the Pittsburgh Station.
6691 on a break.
6690 in Versailles again, minus the snow...
6690 at Versailles.
Old schedule from 1983. I used to have these in my collection of stuff.
If you would like to see a excellent HO scale layout modeled after the PATrain, just click the link below.
Oh, and before PAT chose the nice neutral colors, the cars were at one time like the PCC's...In a rainbow of colors...See for yourself!
1600, for the City of McKeesport.
1601, Boro of Versailles.
1603, Boro of Port Vue.
1604, The City of Pittsburgh.
Another shot of car 1603.
(or the PATrain lives on)
Upon the abandonment of service in 1989, the state of Connecticut purchased the entire PATrain for use on the Shore Line East system. They ran until 1993 and the cars were put into storage, however, the locomotives are used for "special moves"
Here is the former PATrain in the Shore line motif.
Old 6690
6691
One of the Cab cars, number 1682.
6691 Rolling through Branford, CT around the holidays...
All finished in service in Connecticut, now in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
I received some new information! I have found out that the 2 old PATrain F7A locomotives are no longer in Connecticut, but are now in Galveston, TX where they have been lovingly restored (in Spartanburg, SC) to old Santa Fe colors. They have been re-numbered, and here are some new photos sent to me by a friend.
Both of these engines will now lead a life of luxury and will now will haul tourists in Galveston, Texas at the Galveston Railroad Museum...
Here they are, rolling out of the Spartanburg shops for the first time! What a difference!
All done in Spartanburg... Waiting transport to Galveston! Unit numbers are now 315 and 316.
Amtrak 18 is one of many who lent it's services getting the F7A's to Galveston. Here is their arrival at the museum.
315 at her new relaxing home!
