Originally Posted by
balto charlie
I went back to spokes and reread my mistake. The article said Maryland stations already manned by Amtrak employees. This would be Baltimore and BWI Airport for certain. I don't think Cumberland is a manned station. This has always been a problem for the C&O canal ride. Many people would box their bike to transport BUT it is not manned so they can't unload them. I could be wrong but think this is so. This would also leave DC out, which is a great destination not to mention Pittsburgh. I can't think of any other manned stations in Maryland.
Greg is the main bike advocate behind this I am just the disseminator and collector of information (per his request.) This is what he wrote (in part):
The Capitol Limited parallels not only the GAP from Cumberland to Pittsburgh, but the C&O Canal Towpath Trail (and the Western Maryland Rail Trail) from Cumberland to Washington, DC. It presents the possibility of a rail out-bike back trip on all or part of the Pittsburgh to Washington length, or just service to Cumberland to ride locally there.
The Capitol Limited stops at Washington(WAS), Harper's Ferry (HFY), Cumberland (***), Connellville, PA (COV), and Pittsburgh (PGH), although only Washington and Pittsburgh have checked baggage service. Amtrak has some experience with the bike train concept, as the state of Vermont subsidized the presence of a baggage car on the Vermonter, which was used for ski equipment in winter and bikes in summer. I think it has been discontinued, but I'm not sure. California cyclists use the LA to San Diego service extensively to augment all or part of the beautiful Pacific Coast Highway ride.
Closer to home, the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad offers a ride up, bike back service between Cumberland and Frostburg, and I know that some local cyclists use the light rail line to supplement local rides.
Note: *** is the forums dirty word filter in action, nothing offensive meant or implied on my part.