Third County Joins Pennsylvania Rail Agency

Formation of a passenger rail agency in eastern Pennsylvania is now complete after a third county agreed to join the effort.

Chester County commissioners voted to join the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority, which will lead efforts to create an Amtrak route between Philadelphia and Reading, Pennsylvania.

Earlier commissioners in Bucks and Montgomery had voted to join the rail agency.

Each county will appoint three members to the agency’s governing board, which hopes to hold its first meeting in June.

The new agency will seek grant funding and work with Amtrak to develop the proposed service.

Amtrak Eyes Philadelphia-Reading Thruway Bus

Amtrak may institute a Thruway express bus service from Philadelphia to the Pennsylvania cities of Reading and Pottstown.

The passenger carrier said the bus could be a precursor to establishing passenger rail service between Philadelphia and Reading. The proposed rail service is currently in the early stages of the planning process.

An Amtrak spokesman said the company is seeking a partner to provide the bus service. The spokesman issued a statement that said train service between Philadelphia and Reading will not be determined by bus ridership.

Pa. County Joins Passenger Rail Commission

Commissioners in Berks County, Pennsylvania, have voted to join a Tri-County Rail Commission, which is seeking to restore rail passenger service between Philadelphia and Reading, Pennsylvania.

Also members of the Commission are Chester and Montgomery counties.

The Commission will study the next steps to be taken to advance work done by a 2020 study conducted by the Berks Alliance group.

That study made the case for passenger restoration on the route.

Philly-Reading Rail Service Could Cost $818M to get Started

Implementing rail passenger service between Philadelphia and Reading, Pennsylvania, would cost up to $818 million in capital expenses, a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation study concluded.

The study found the 12-station, 59-mile service could attract up to 6,400 passengers daily,

However, PennDOT said several significant issues must be addressed to determine the concept’s feasibility.

One of those is whether host railroad Norfolk Southern would  be a “willing party” to negotiate access, improvements and fees.

NS tracks would be used between Reading and Norristown and are not electrified, a fact that could complicate equipment decisions.

The report said the existing SEPTA route between Norristown and Philadelphia is heavily used and might not be able to accommodate additional trains.

Additional studies are needed to make a detailed infrastucture and service feasibility study; a Norfolk Southern operational feasibility study; development of local support and funding; preparation of design and environmental documents; and completion of a preliminary memorandum of understanding between Norfolk Southern and SEPTA or whatever entity would be the project sponsor.

If funding can be arranged the service could be launched in 2030.

Resolution Supports Commuter Rail Expansion

A Pennsylvania township governing board has approved a resolution calling for rail commuter service between Reading, Pennsylvania, and Philadelphia.

The Board of Commissioners of Lower Pottsgrove adopted the resolution, which directs township manager Ed Wagner write a letter in support of the effort by Berks Alliance.

The community development organization is pushing for revival of the long-abandoned rail service, saying it could have an economic development value of more than $1 billion.

Lower Pottsgrove is located on the proposed route at about the halfway point.

R&N to Offer Diesel, Steam Fall Foliage Trips

Reading & Northern will offer fall foliage excursions from Reading, Pennsylvania, this year.

Diesel-powered trains will run Oct. 1, 21-22, and 28-29, while steam-powered trips with 4-6-2 No. 425 will operate Oct. 7-8 and 15.

All excursions will originate at the Reading Outer Station, leaving at 9 a.m. and travel to Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, with an intermediate stop in Port Clinton.

Return trips depart from Jim Thorpe at 3:30 p.m. after a three-hour layover.

Tickets for the diesel trips are $39 with options available for Pullman or parlor car seating. Steam trip fares start at $69. All tickets include a meal.

A special will run on Oct. 14 that originates at Outer Station but does not stop at Port Clinton. It will offer an opportunity to ride in an open gondola car for $125. Coach tickets for that trip, which will not use an auxiliary tender or diesel helper, are $99.