Amtrak Wants to Remove Some Block Signals From its Keystone Corridor in Pennsylvania

Amtrak is seeking regulatory approval to remove automatic wayside block signals on its line between Philadelphia and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

In a notice published in the Federal Register, the Federal Railroad Administration said the passenger carrier cited the existence of a positive train control system on the route as providing enough protection for train operations.

The signals to be removed serve as distant signals to existing interlockings in the Keystone Corridor.

The FRA notice said the territory covered by the waiver being sought extends from Park Interlocking at milepost 46.3 and Roy Interlocking at MP 94.3.

 “In its petition, Amtrak explains that formerly, the automatic wayside signals served as distant signals to the existing interlockings. However, as Amtrak has fully implemented PTC, which imposes ‘updated standards for cab, no-wayside signal territory to remove all automatic signals[,] including distant signals,’ Amtrak seeks permission to remove 10 signals (at MPs 55.3, 59.2, 64.5, 66.1, 70.8, 71.8, 81.5, 86.0, 92.3, and 96.4). Amtrak states that the removal of the signals will ‘eliminate maintenance and operation of unnecessary hardware [that is] no longer needed.’” The FRA notice said.\

Amtrak owns the line although some Norfolk Southern freight trains also use it.

The notice said NORAC Rules will remain in effect and there “will be no changes to operating practices because of this modification.”

Amtrak told regulators the cab signal system without fixed automatic block signals and positive train control systems will continue to enforce train speed and positive train stops under normal operations.

If the cab signal system fails, PTC will continue to prevent train-to-train collisions through enforcement of positive train stop at interlocking signals when all tracks are not clear to the next interlocking with a permissive signal, Amtrak said.

In the event of a PTC failure, the cab control system will continue to enforce restricted speed in approach to occupied blocks and stop signals. If both system fails, trains must follow the operating rules currently in place.

Amtrak said it would start removing the signals upon receiving FRA approval, a project expected to take up to two years.

The FRA said in its notice that it does not anticipate scheduling a public hearing “since the facts do not appear to warrant a hearing.”

Track Work Affect Keystone Corridor Trains

Trackwork on Amtrak’s Keystone Corridor between Philadelphia and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, as resulted in widespread schedule changes on the route through Nov. 6.

Weekdays Eastbound Changes

• Train 640 will depart Harrisburg at 4:55 a.m., operating 5 minutes earlier from Harrisburg to Coatesville. Regular schedule resumes Downingtown to Philadelphia.
• Train 642 will depart Harrisburg at 5:50 a.m., operating 5 minutes earlier from Harrisburg to Coatesville. Regular schedule resumes Downingtown to Philadelphia.
• Train 600 will depart Harrisburg at 6:35 a.m., operating 5 minutes earlier from Harrisburg to Coatesville. Regular schedule resumes Downingtown to Philadelphia.
• Train 644 will depart Harrisburg at 7:50 a.m., operating 5 minutes earlier from Harrisburg to Coatesville. Regular schedule resumes Downingtown to Philadelphia.
• Train 646 will depart Harrisburg at 8:54 a.m., operating 5 minutes earlier from Harrisburg to Lancaster, 3 minutes earlier at Parkesburg and Coatesville and 2 minutes later Downingtown to Philadelphia, arriving at 10:42 a.m.
• Train 648 will depart Harrisburg at 10 a.m., operating 5 minutes earlier from Harrisburg to Coatesville. Regular schedule resumes Downingtown to Philadelphia.
• Train 650 will depart Harrisburg at 12:00 pm, operating 5 minutes earlier from Harrisburg to Coatesville. Regular schedule resumes Downingtown to Philadelphia.
• Train 652 will depart Harrisburg at 3:10 p.m., operating 5 minutes earlier from Harrisburg to Coatesville. Regular schedule resumes Downingtown to Philadelphia.
• Train 654 will depart Harrisburg at 4:25 p.m., operating 5 minutes earlier from Harrisburg to Coatesville. Regular schedule resumes Downingtown to Philadelphia.
• Train 656 will operate 5 minutes later at Parkesburg and Coatesville, 10 minutes later Downingtown to Ardmore, arriving 5 minutes later at Philadelphia at 7:28 p.m.
• Train 618 (Monday-Thursday) will depart Harrisburg at 6:45 p.m., operating 5 minutes later from Harrisburg to Parkesburg and 10 minutes later Downingtown to Philadelphia, arriving at 8:30 p.m.
• Train 658 (Friday) will depart Harrisburg at 6:45 p.m., operating 5 minutes later from Harrisburg to Parkesburg and 10 minutes later Downingtown to Philadelphia, arriving at 8:30 p.m.
• Train 620 will depart Harrisburg at 7:55 pm, operating 5 minutes earlier from Harrisburg to Coatesville. Regular schedule resumes Downingtown to Philadelphia.
• Train 622 (Monday-Thursday) will depart Harrisburg at 9:10 p.m., operating 5 minutes earlier from Harrisburg to Coatesville. Regular schedule resumes Downingtown to Philadelphia.
• Train 624 (Friday) will depart Harrisburg at 9:10 p.m., operating 5 minutes earlier from Harrisburg to Coatesville. Regular schedule resumes Downingtown to Philadelphia.

Weekdays Westbound Changes

• Train 601 will operate 5 minutes later Coatesville to Harrisburg, arriving at 7:15 a.m.
• Train 605 will operate 5 minutes later Coatesville to Harrisburg, arriving at 8:20 a.m.
• Train 649 will operate 5 minutes later Coatesville to Harrisburg, arriving at 6:45 p.m.
• Train 655 will operate 5 minutes later Coatesville to Harrisburg, arriving at 10:10 p.m.

Weekend Eastbound Changes

• Train 660 will depart Harrisburg at 7:15 a.m., operating 5 minutes earlier from Harrisburg to Lancaster, 4 minutes later at Parkesburg and Coatesville and 9 minutes later Downingtown to Ardmore, arriving 8 minutes later at Philadelphia at 9:13 a.m.
• Train 662 will operate 5 minutes later at Downingtown and Exton and 6 minutes later at Paoli and Ardmore, arriving 5 minutes later at Philadelphia at 10:20 a.m.
• Train 664 will depart Harrisburg at 9:25 a.m., operating 5 minutes earlier from Harrisburg to Coatesville. Regular schedule resumes Downingtown to Philadelphia.
• Train 666 will depart Harrisburg at 11:15 a.m., operating 5 minutes earlier from Harrisburg to Coatesville. Regular schedule resumes Downingtown to Philadelphia.
• Train 670 will depart Harrisburg at 2 p.m., operating 5 minutes earlier from Harrisburg to Coatesville. Regular schedule resumes Downingtown to Philadelphia.
• Train 672 will depart Harrisburg at 5 p.m., operating 5 minutes earlier from Harrisburg to Coatesville. Regular schedule resumes Downingtown to Philadelphia.
• Train 674 (Saturday) will operate 5 minutes later Downingtown to Philadelphia, arriving at 8:55 p.m.
• Train 610 (Sunday) will operate 5 minutes later Downingtown to Philadelphia, arriving at 8:55 p,m.
• Train 612 will operate 5 minutes later Downingtown to Philadelphia, arriving at 10:15 p.m.

Sked Changes Set for Keystone Service Trains

Track work on Amtrak’s Keystone route in Pennsylvania will affect operations of certain westbound Keystone Service trains in June.

The schedule changes are in effect June 4-5, 11-12 and 25-26.

Train 615 will depart Philadelphia at 2 p.m., operating 5 minutes later to Harrisburg, arriving at 3:47 p.m.

Train 663 will depart Philadelphia at 11 a.m., operating 10 minutes later to Harrisburg, arriving at 12:55 p.m.

Train 667 will depart Philadelphia at 5 p.m., operating 5 minutes later to Harrisburg, arriving at 6:50 p.m.

Train 669 will depart Philadelphia at 7 p.m., operating 5 minutes later to Harrisburg, arriving at 8:50 p.m.

Track Work to Affect Keystones on Weekends

Track work will lead to schedule changes to Amtrak’s Keystone Service on weekends starting May 21 and lasting through June 26.

Train 615 will depart Philadelphia at 2 p.m. and operate five minutes later to Harrisburg, arriving at 3:47 p.m.

Train 663 will depart Philadelphia at 11 a.m, operating 10 minutes later to Harrisburg, arriving at 12:55 p.m.

Train 667 will depart Philadelphia at 5 p.m, operating five minutes later to Harrisburg, arriving at 6:50 p.m.

Train 669 will depart Philadelphia at 7 p.m., operating five minutes later to Harrisburg, arriving at 8:50 p.m.

Amtrak to Boost Keystone Service

Amtrak plans to add additional train service to the Keystone corridor on April 25.

In a news release, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, which helps fund the service, said it expects increased ridership.

Service in the corridor between New York City and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, via Philadelphia is currently 18 weekday trains between Philadelphia and Harrisburg while 14 weekday trains and 10 weekend trains are offered between New York City and Philadelphia.

The service boost will bring Keystone Service up to 24 weekday trains between Philadelphia and Harrisburg, with 14 available on Saturdays and 16 on Sundays.

Between New York City and Philadelphia, 20 weekday trains will be offered with 12 on Saturdays and 11 on Sundays.

The increased service will restore weekend service to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels. The weekday service will be two trains above pre-pandemic levels.

In March 2020, Amtrak suspended all Keystone Service due to the pandemic and didn’t begin restoring service until June 2020.

Low demand led to the suspension of some Keystone Service in January 2021 between Philadelphia and Harrisburg.

Track Work Affects Keystone Trains on Feb. 27

A track work project on Amtrak’s Keystone Corridor will result in schedule changes to select trains on Feb. 27.

Train 662 will depart Harrisburg at 8:45 a.m., operating 15 minutes later from Harrisburg to Philadelphia where it will be scheduled to arrive at 10:30 a.m. Train 670 will depart Harrisburg at 2 p.m., operating five minutes earlier from Harrisburg to Philadelphia, arriving at 3:50 p.m.

Train 615 will operate five minutes later at Exton, 10 minutes later at Downingtown and 25 minutes later from Coatesville to Harrisburg, arriving at 4:07 p.m.

Train 661 will depart Philadelphia at 8:35 a.m., operating five minutes later in Paoli, operating 10 minutes later at Exton, 15 minutes later at Downingtown and 30 minutes later Coatesville to Harrisburg where it is scheduled to arrive at 10:50 a.m.

Train 663 will operate five minutes later at Exton, 10 minutes later at Downingtown, 20 minutes later at Coatesville and Parkesburg, and 25 minutes later from Lancaster to Harrisburg, arriving at 1:10 p.m.

Train 665 will depart Philadelphia at 3 p.m., operating 15 minutes later to Paoli, operating 20 minutes later at Exton, 25 minutes later at Downingtown, and 40 minutes later from Coatesville to Harrisburg, arriving at 5:15 p.m.

New Middletown Station Opens Jan. 10

Amtrak will begin using the new Middletown station on Jan. 10 following completion of construction of the multimodal facility.

In a news release, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation said the new station will have high-level accessible boarding platforms, a pedestrian overpass, elevators, stair towers, on-site parking, and bus loading zones.

PennDOT said the $49.5 million station project was part of an initiative to improve rail passenger travel in the Keystone Corridor, part of which also is used by commuter trains of Philadelphia-based Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority.

Funding for the project included $25.6 million from the Federal Transit Administration, $15.9 million from PennDOT and $8 million of in-kind work from Amtrak.

PennDOT said it collaborated with the Middletown Borough, Capital Area Transit and Harrisburg International Airport.

In a related development, Amtrak said low platforms will go into service on Jan. 10 at its station in the Keystone Corridor at Ardmore, Pennsylvania.

In a service advisory, Amtrak said use of low-level platforms is a temporary measure because the current high-level boarding platforms are out of service due to construction at the station site.

The temporary platforms are located less than a half mile away from the previous location of 39 Station Avenue.

Westbound trains will board in the Suburban Square parking lot off Anderson Avenue while eastbound trains will board in the municipal parking lot located off Ardmore Avenue.

Keystone Service Schedules Modified

Effective through April 16 Amtrak Keystone Service schedules will change due to construction along the route.

Train 664 will depart Harrisburg at 9:20 a.m., operating 10 minutes earlier from Harrisburg to Philadelphia.

Train 611 will operate 20 minutes later from Ardmore to Harrisburg, arriving in Harrisburg at 9:35 a.m.

Train 615 will operate 20 minutes later from Paoli to Harrisburg, arriving in Harrisburg at 4:02 p.m.

Train 661 will depart 5 minutes earlier from Philadelphia and operate 15 minutes later from Ardmore to Harrisburg, arriving in Harrisburg at 10:35 a.m.

Train 663 will depart 5 minutes later from Philadelphia and operate 25 minutes later from Ardmore to Harrisburg, arriving in Harrisburg at 1:10 p.m.

Train 665 will depart 5 minutes later from Philadelphia and operate 25 minutes later from Ardmore to Harrisburg, arriving in Harrisburg at 5:00 p.m.

Train 667 will operate 20 minutes later from Ardmore to Harrisburg, arriving in Harrisburg at 7:05 p.m.

Train 669 will operate 20 minutes later from Ardmore to Harrisburg, arriving in Harrisburg at 9:05 p.m.

Train 646will depart Harrisburg at 9:04 a.m., operating 5 minutes later from Harrisburg to Philadelphia.

Train 666 will depart Harrisburg at 11:35 a.m., operating 15 minutes later from Harrisburg to Philadelphia.

Train 652 will depart Harrisburg at 3:05 p.m., operating 10 minutes later from Harrisburg to Philadelphia.

Train 620 will depart Harrisburg at 8:35 p.m., operating 5 minutes later from Harrisburg to Philadelphia.

Train 605 will operate 10 minutes later from Coatesville to Harrisburg, arriving in Harrisburg at 8:25 a.m.

Train 641 will operate 10 minutes later from Coatesville to Harrisburg, arriving in Harrisburg at 10:56 a.m.

Train 645 will operate 10 minutes later from Coatesville to Harrisburg, arriving in Harrisburg at 3:45 p.m.

Passengers traveling on Trains 605, 641 and 645 will need to board on the normal eastbound platform at Coatesville and Parkesburg.

Keystone Service Slashed With Little Notice

With little advance notice Amtrak on Monday slashed Keystone Service in Pennsylvania, citing low patronage.

The state-funded service between New York and Harrisburg via Philadelphia was cut to seven weekday roundtrips with six on weekends.

Three of the roundtrips will operate between New York and Harrisburg while other trains will operate between Harrisburg and Philadelphia.

The new schedule boosts Harrisburg-New York service by one roundtrip.

Six roundtrips plus one additional westbound train have been suspended on weekdays. On weekends, three trains have been suspended.

An Amtrak announcement said the cuts were made “in order to adapt to changing demand.”

It was not the first change to Keystone Service since the COVID-19 pandemic intensified last March.

The service had been cut last spring when the New York-Pittsburgh Pennsylvanian also was suspended. The Keystone Service cuts and the Pennsylvanian were restored last June

Weekday trains will now depart Harrisburg for Philadelphia at 5, 6:40 and 8:59 a.m. and 12:05, 3:05, 4:30 and 8:35 p.m.

The 5, 8:59 and 3:05 trains continue to New York Penn Station, which Amtrak is now referring to as the Moynihan Train Hall.

Trains leave Philadelphia for Harrisburg at 5:20, 6:20, and 8:45 a.m. and 1:35, 3:45, 5:35 and 6:42 p.m. Trains leave New York for Harrisburg at 7:17 a.m. and 4:03 and 5:10 p.m.

The schedules and services of the Pennsylvanian are unchanged.

The weekend schedule has trains leaving Harrisburg for Philadelphia at 7:20, 9:30, and 11:35 a.m. and 2:05, 5:05 and 7:05 p.m. The 7:20, 9:30 and 2:05 trains run through to New York.

From Philadelphia to Harrisburg, trains leave at 7:25, 8:30 and 10:50 a.m. and 2:45, 4:55 and 6:55 p.m. rains leave New York for Harrisburg at 9:09 a.m. and 1:05 and 5:17 p.m.

News reports from Pennsylvania media quoted Amtrak spokeswoman Beth Toll as saying Amtrak is experiencing ridership that is 20 percent of what it was before the pandemic.

Railway Age reported that neither Amtrak nor the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation issued a news release in advance of the service cuts to announce the new schedules.

Instead, the intercity passenger carrier and PennDOT cooperated in issuing a service advisory on the morning that the cuts became effective.

The Railway Age report said it remains unclear whether PennDOT or Amtrak decided to made the service cut and when the decision was made.

Federal Grant Awarded to Improve Keystone Line

Amtrak and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation have received a $15.9 million federal State of Good Repair grant that will be used on the Keystone Line.

The project involves signal upgrades on the Amtrak-owned line that is used by the intercity passenger carrier’s Keystone Service and Pennsylvanian trains.

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority trains also use the line.

The work will occur between Paoli and Overbrook and allow for bidirectional train movement on all tracks and higher operating speeds.

The line is owned by Amtrak.