Uploaded January 2020 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
A previous video I filmed riding ON this line: youtube.com/watch?v=fQsFJsE3Qa4
Riding the outbound side: youtube.com/watch?v=MLaN3fqAoDw
Another video of the Silver Line - Library route: youtu.be/02tClPV0qeg
Took advantage of Port Authority temporarily detouring inbound rail vehicles on the Allentown line to get some videos of this otherwise unused line. It's a direct descendant of the vast streetcar network that used to branch out of Pittsburgh, and this particular line represents one of the last remnants of that network, running through the Allentown neighborhood. It's the only line that mostly runs on city streets, the Red Line has a street-running section in Beechview but the current "T" network is otherwise entirely on dedicated rights-of-way. It also has some very tight curves and steep sections (as much as a 10% grade) that combined with jointed-rail track makes for a bit of a ride.
Unfortunately the line has not had regular use since 2011 when rail service was cut and replaced with buses, and it is now only maintained as a "backup" in the event that the tunnel the trains normally go through has to be shut down for whatever reason. In this case they were dealing with complications from a landslide near the tunnel, and had inbound traffic using the old Allentown line. Nevertheless, it is still fun to see the line being used, however sporadic that use may be, since it's a fun throwback to the streetcar era with street-running trolleys. I also show a few remnants of the old streetcar network, such as maintenance sheds and unused track, that remain in place at South Hills Junction, where the other T lines converge and the Allentown line splits to go over Mount Washington.
As always thanks for watching, and stay tuned for more ThinkPad/tech videos coming soon!
A previous video I filmed riding ON this line: youtube.com/watch?v=fQsFJsE3Qa4
Riding the outbound side: youtube.com/watch?v=MLaN3fqAoDw
Another video of the Silver Line - Library route: youtu.be/02tClPV0qeg
Took advantage of Port Authority temporarily detouring inbound rail vehicles on the Allentown line to get some videos of this otherwise unused line. It's a direct descendant of the vast streetcar network that used to branch out of Pittsburgh, and this particular line represents one of the last remnants of that network, running through the Allentown neighborhood. It's the only line that mostly runs on city streets, the Red Line has a street-running section in Beechview but the current "T" network is otherwise entirely on dedicated rights-of-way. It also has some very tight curves and steep sections (as much as a 10% grade) that combined with jointed-rail track makes for a bit of a ride.
Unfortunately the line has not had regular use since 2011 when rail service was cut and replaced with buses, and it is now only maintained as a "backup" in the event that the tunnel the trains normally go through has to be shut down for whatever reason. In this case they were dealing with complications from a landslide near the tunnel, and had inbound traffic using the old Allentown line. Nevertheless, it is still fun to see the line being used, however sporadic that use may be, since it's a fun throwback to the streetcar era with street-running trolleys. I also show a few remnants of the old streetcar network, such as maintenance sheds and unused track, that remain in place at South Hills Junction, where the other T lines converge and the Allentown line splits to go over Mount Washington.
As always thanks for watching, and stay tuned for more ThinkPad/tech videos coming soon!
