posted
We spent last Sunday and Monday at the Tunnel Inn at Gallitzin, PA, just over the hills from Horseshoe Curve. The drive from our home in northeast MA was prolonged because just about every road we took in PA had lane closures. So much so, that we've decided "Pennsylvania" is the Indian word for "Super Highways, reduced to one lane each way".
We finally arrived at the Inn about 1735. Joe, a rail fan from Philadelphia was at the edge of the carpark with his camera and scanner keeping an eye on tracks 2 & 3 of NS right of way between PHL and PIT which run beside the Inn. Since the front door of the Inn was closed and locked it was fortunate for us Joe was there. He let us into the Inn with his room key, which doubled as a front door key. When I knocked at the door behind which I thought I'd find the owner/manager/clerk to check us in, no one answered. I went back to the front door which had two telephone numbers listed for reservations/information. The first had been disconnected. The second was answered by a woman who said she'd be right over. Joe suggested we check the board in the hall. We did and found our names listed next to the room reserved for us (MO Tower) along with an envelope taped to the board with 2 room keys.
As I schleped our bags up to our room, the woman arrived. Joe told her we were moving in, and she departed...without meeting us. As strange as the reception was, the Inn and our room were immaculate and well appointed. The four poster bed was quite comfortable. The only "snag" if it was one, was the sink in the bathroom, drained s-l-o-w-l-y. We filled out a slip of paper on the night stand requesting our preference for beverages in the morning and left it in the basket set aside for it in the downstairs hall.
Once settled we repaired to the covered deck on the back of the Inn. There were a number of tables with chairs and an out door stove for chilly evenings. We supped on sandwiches we'd brought with us and watched the train traffic go by. Another couple, Rick and Bonnie from the Harrisburg area arrived as we were finishing supper. They dined on Pizza on the deck and watched the trains roll by along with us. We met Joe's wife, Dot, a stoic "train widow" who travels with enough books to keep her busy while Joe is watching the trains.
As I mentioned the bed was comfortable and we slept through the night...trains and all. Monday morning as I was going out to the deck, I found a breakfast hamper outside our door with the beverages we had requested along with muffins, small tins of peaches and a sack of goodies to munch on as we watched the trains go by. I met Rick on the deck and explained the "stealth" breakfast delivery system. Both he, his wife and Joe and Dot were leaving Monday. Before he left, Joe alerted me to the immenant arrival of the eastbound Pennsylvanian. Alas, it operated on track 1, which is about five blocks over on the other side of town.
After breakfast we spent the better part of the morning at the Curve, returning in time to grab some lunch...more sandwiches from home and await the arrival of the westbound Pennsylvanian. When a half hour had elapsed since it's scheduled arrival, we decided it too must have operated on track 1. We drove over to Cresson and picked up some Chinese takeaway for supper. Just as we were dividing the food between our plates at our table on the deck; and with the video camera safely locked in our room...the Pennsylvanian burst out of the portal of the Gallitzin Tunnel on track 3 and powered past us a good hour behind schedule.
Tuesday morning there was note in hour breakfast hamper, again quietly left outside the door of our room, from Julie indicating she'd be back about 0820 to check us out. True to her word she appeared and perfomed the necessaries to check us out. She admited that is was she, and she alone who cleaned and made up our room AND prepared the breakfast hampers.
The bride, not a rail fan, wants to return to the Tunnel Inn and to actually watch trains. As we were leaving Julie was setting up the board for the weeks arrivals. The Tunnel Inn was all booked up for the arrival of Railfest in altoona the coming week.
All in all we give the Tunnel Inn at Gallitzin a 9.5 rating. Why not 10.0? There wasn't any butter for the muffins. Best regards, Rodger. P.S. Labor day will see us at the Depot Inn at La Plata, MO. as we return from a cross country trip on the Crescent, Sunset Ltd, Southwest Chief, Captial Ltd and Acela. Also giving some thought to checking out the Bridgview Inn in the Harrisburg area the next time we go to "Super Highways, reduced to one lane of traffic in either direction".
Posts: 112 | From: Merrimac, MA | Registered: Nov 2007
| IP: Logged |
I'll add the Tunnel Inn to my list of accomodations to visit someday....
Along with LaPlata, Winslow, and Ft. Madison on the SWC route.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Nice report. I have a whole host of trip desires (including this area) for the east half of this country, mostly awaiting retirement.
Posts: 406 | From: La Grange, CA | Registered: Sep 2007
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic
