"A shuttle service from Mount Union or wherever the Amtrak Connection is to the trains would be a big factor"
Only thing I know there is very odd times like if I left NY at 10:54 and get to Johnstown at 6pm dont know where the closest station to the furnace would be but that will be an odd time to get in. Granted it the Railroad is missed but Maine is better. As much as I love western PA, Maine is the true Mecca of Narrow Gauge, the EBT and Colorado trains are just to broad gauge for me. It is like riding standard gauge lol.
Mike