37 replies to this topic

[CNJRoss]

 

  Serving Pittsburgh, the right way

 

Thursday, November 19, 2020

 

 

Taking the train these days from Pittsburgh to New York — or vice versa — is a pretty simple and, frankly, a rather sad affair. You’ve got one choice, Amtrak trains 42 and 43, the daily Pennsylvanian, and if you can’t make either one work, you’re left with driving or flying. 

 

The state of Pennsylvania is hoping to improve the situation by adding a second daily train, beginning in the 2023-24 fiscal year, which would be a big improvement. The state predicts annual ridership could grow from the present 215,000 to 378,000 within four years. But all that really would do is raise the route to the same standard it lost 15 years ago when the Three Rivers — itself a daylight remnant of the Broadway Limited — was discontinued. Such is how we measure progress.

 

It didn’t used to be that way.  ...

 

Continue here.

[KevinKorell]

Pittsburgh, PA Tribune-Review, 9/10/21:

 

 

 

    Amtrak chief promotes 2nd Pittsburgh-Harrisburg service  

 

 

 

Amtrak remains committed to adding a second daily train between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, with stops in Greensburg, Latrobe and Johnstown, the president of the passenger rail service said.

 

 

Update

[KevinKorell]

WESA Radio in Pittsburgh, PA, 2/18/22:

 

 

     Pennsylvania, Norfolk Southern negotiating 2nd daily Amtrak train between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg       

 

 

Pennsylvania officials and Norfolk Southern are inching closer toward a deal to bring more passenger rail service between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg. The agreement would put a second daily Amtrak train along the railroad between the cities.

 

Full story

[KevinKorell]

This report came out in September of 2021, analyzing current Pennsylvanian operations and Norfolk Southern movements,  vs the rescheduling of the Pennsylvanian and addition of an extra frequency west of Harrisburg.  Conclusion is that infrastructure improvements are necessary to maintain 2 Amtrak round trips and NS trains.

[CNJRoss]

Trains News Wire

 

Plan to allow second ‘Pennsylvanian’ includes 12 new or upgraded NS interlockings

 

By Dan Cupper | March 9, 2022

 

$171 million Harrisburg-Pittsburgh program would add some mainline tracks

 

The eastbound Pennsylvanian crosses the landmark Rockville Bridge over the Susquehanna River near Harrisburg, Pa., on Feb. 14, 2021. Restoring a third track on the bridge, built for four tracks, is part of the plan to improve the route between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg to allow for a second daily Amtrak round trip. (Dan Cupper)

 

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Re-laying a third track on the historic Rockville Bridge over the Susquehanna River and building a new 5-mile-long main line track through the Altoona, Pa., yard are part of a proposed Norfolk Southern-Pennsylvania Department of Transportation plan to add a second Pennsylvanian daily passenger train. In addition, the plan would install three new interlockings and expand nine others on NS’s 248-mile long Pittsburgh Line.

 

The price tag to eliminate eight choke points to minimize freight-train interference with Amtrak service is estimated at $147 million to $171 million. It would be paid for from the $1.2 trillion federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed into law by President Joe Biden on Nov. 15.

 

The proposed improvements are spelled out in an NS report titled “Amtrak Pennsylvanian RTC (Rail Traffic Controller) Analysis.” Details are contained in a 58-page document available at the PennDOT website.

 

 

Continue here.

[KevinKorell]

Daily News, Huntingdon, PA, 6/28/22:

 

 

 

    Amtrak passenger rail service to expand locally  

 

 

 

Increased Amtrak rail passenger service is coming to Huntingdon.

 

Update

[CNJRoss]

Railway Age, 6/28/22

 

Plan for Expanded Western PA Passenger Service Advances

 

 

PennDOT and NS on Feb. 18 announced their collaboration on an operating agreement and improvements needed to increase passenger service on the NS-owned line between Harrisburg and Pittsburgh.

 

SNIP

 

To support expanded passenger operations, Pennsylvania would invest more than $200 million in infrastructure and safety improvements that NS would build and maintain. The improvements stem from a September 2021 NS operational-feasibility study (download below), and include upgraded rail lines, passenger platforms, sidings, and communications and signaling equipment.

 

 

More here.  

[KevinKorell]

Progressive Railroading, 6/28/22:

 

 

  PennDOT, Norfolk Southern agree to expand passenger-rail access    

 

 

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Norfolk Southern Railway have reached an operating agreement to expand passenger-rail access in western Pennsylvania, Gov. Tom Wolf announced yesterday.

 

And more

[KevinKorell]

WTAJ-TV, Channel 10 in Altoona, PA, 7/5/22:
 

 

    Amtrak service is expanding throughout Central Pennsylvania. Here’s how it might affect you. 

 

 

Governor Tom Wolf announced a new agreement that would expand rail services throughout Pennsylvania, impacting Amtrak stations across the commonwealth.

 

Story here.

[KevinKorell]

CBS Pittsburgh, 12/7/22:

 

 

    By 2025, second daily Amtrak train should run from Pittsburgh to Harrisburg    

 

If you've ever been to Harrisburg, how did you get there?

 

If you're like most people, the answer is probably not by train. But KDKA-TV's Seth Kaplan reports that could change.

 

Here is the story.