Interlocking improvements:
- State
- Leaman
- Atglen
- Park
- Caln
- Thorn
- Downs
- Glen
- Frazer
- Paoli
- Villenova
- Bryn Mawr
- Overbrook
- Wynnefield
- Zoo-JO

Automatic Block Signaling and Centralized Control from Lancaster to Philadelphia

High Speed Third Track from Paoli to Atglen

Paoli Electrical Substation Relocation

Construction of high-level, ADA-accessible platforms at the Exton Station, which has a separate Categorical Exclusion

Ardmore Station upgrades, which has a separate Environmental Assessment

The proposed improvements, with the exception of the Ardmore Station upgrades, are anticipated to be accomplished entirely within the existing right-of-way.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) are evaluating improvements along the 105-mile Amtrak Keystone rail line between Harrisburg and Philadelphia. This analysis will be documented in an Environmental Assessment for the Keystone Corridor East High Speed Rail Program. Potential changes include replacement and/or rehabilitation of the signal system and tracks in areas where trains currently pass each other or follow each other; reactivation of an existing express/third track between the Paoli Station and the Atglen interlocking; rehabilitation of the overhead electrical wires and poles, and transmission lines; relocation of an electrical substation near the Paoli Station; construction of high-level, ADA-accessible platforms at the Exton Station, which has a separate Categorical Exclusion; and upgrades to the Ardmore Station, which has a separate Environment Assessment.

The proposed improvements, with the exception of the Ardmore Station upgrades, are anticipated to be accomplished entirely within the existing right-of-way.

Click here to download the Keystone Corridor East High Speed Rail Program Environmental Assessment.

These proposed enhancements are intended to improve rail service by increasing the top operating speed from 110 MPH to 125 MPH, with the goal of reducing the travel time between Harrisburg and Philadelphia to 75 minutes. The improvements will help ensure that the Amtrak Keystone rail line remains a competitive transportation alternative and supports the corridor’s increasing ridership.

1. No-Build Alternative – The No Build Alternative would offer no improvements to the existing Amtrak system. Current operating conditions and speeds would remain unchanged.

2. Build Alternative – The Build Alternative would include:

• Improvements to Interlockings - Interlockings are intermediate locations where trains can change tracks to avoid congestion or divert around obstructions

• Reactivation of an Existing Express/3rd Track from the Paoli Station to the Atglen Interlocking

• Rehabilitation of the Overhead Electrical Lines (catenary and transmission lines)

• Automatic Block Signaling and Centralized Control from Lancaster (Cork interlocking) to Philadelphia (Zoo-JO interlocking)

• Relocation of the Electrical Substation at the Paoli Station (existing building to remain intact)

• Construction of high-level, ADA-accessible platforms at the Exton Station

• Upgrades to the Ardmore Station

The proposed improvements for the Build Alternative, with the exception of the Ardmore Station upgrades, are anticipated to be accomplished entirely within the existing right-of-way.

Example of overhead electrical wires, poles, and transmission lines.	Example of interlocking tracks.