Amtrak doubles Pennsylvanian service frequency

Amtrak’s roundtrip Pennsylvanian service between New York City and Pittsburgh will expand from once to twice daily starting on Nov. 18. The increased service is the result of collaboration between the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Norfolk Southern Railway.

The Pennsylvanian travels NS' Pittsburgh Line, which is part of the Premier Corridor, a main artery for double-stack intermodal traffic moving between Chicago and metropolitan New York.

PennDOT signed an agreement with NS in 2023 to expand passenger rail service on the line. The agreement followed a 2021 feasibility study that identified 11 infrastructure projects between Harrisburg and Pittsburgh that were needed to improve operational reliability for passenger and freight trains and to mitigate delays on the shared corridor. 

Four early-action improvements were completed to allow commencement of the second daily passenger service; the remaining improvements are projected to be completed by 2030, PennDOT officials said in a press release.

The improvement projects are partially funded by $143 million in federal grants through the Federal Railroad Administration's Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail grant program and the Corridor Identification and Development program.

Additional Commonwealth transit funding will fund the design and construction of the remaining improvements, which NS will complete. Future improvements include upgraded rail lines, sidings and communications signals infrastructure, PennDOT officials said.

"The expansion of Pennsylvanian service demonstrates what is possible when public and private partners work together toward a shared vision for rail transportation," said NS Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer Mike McClellan. "Norfolk Southern is proud to support efforts that expand transportation options for Pennsylvanians while maintaining the safe and efficient movement of freight across the Commonwealth. We remain committed to our partnership with PennDOT and Amtrak as we support efforts that benefit communities, passengers, shippers and rail customers alike."