Pennsylvanian (train)
{{Short description|Amtrak service between Pittsburgh, PA and New York City, NY}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Infobox rail service
| name = Pennsylvanian
| image = Amtrak Pennsylvanian approaching Altoona, August 2021.jpg
| image_width = 300px
| caption = The Pennsylvanian in Altoona, Pennsylvania in 2021
| type = Inter-city rail
| status =
| locale =
| first = April 27, 1980
| operator = Amtrak
| ridership2 = {{Amtrak route ridership|Pennsylvanian}}
| start = {{Amtk|New York City}}, New York
| end = {{Amtk|Pittsburgh}}, Pennsylvania
| stops = 17
| distance = {{convert|444|mi}}
| journeytime = {{Indented plainlist|
- 9 hours, 15 minutes (westbound)
- 9 hours, 20 minutes (eastbound){{Cite web |date=January 8, 2018 |title=Pennsylvanian Timetable |url=https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/timetables/Pennsylvanian-Schedule-P40-010818.pdf |access-date=January 25, 2018 |publisher=Amtrak}}
}}
| frequency = Daily
| trainnumber = 42, 43
| class = Coach Class
Business Class
| access = All cars, most stations
| catering = Café
| baggage = Overhead racks, checked baggage available at selected stations
| stock = Amfleet cars
| gauge = {{Track gauge|ussg|allk=on}}
| electrification = Overhead line, 12 kV AC at 25 Hz {{Nowrap|(New York–Philadelphia)}}
| speed = {{Indented plainlist|
- {{Convert|48|mph|abbr=on}} ({{Tooltip|avg.|average speed (including stops)}})
- {{Convert|110|mph|abbr=on}} ({{Tooltip|top|top speed}}, Keystone Corridor){{Cite web |last=Cupper |first=Dan |title=Amtrak aims to add routes, frequencies; raise speeds in Pennsylvania |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/amtrak-aims-to-add-routes-frequencies-raise-speeds-in-pennsylvania/ |access-date=December 18, 2021 |website=Trains |date=September 27, 2021 |publisher=trains.com}}
- {{Convert|125|mph|abbr=on}} ({{Tooltip|top|top speed}}, Northeast Corridor)
}}
| map = {{Amtrak Pennsylvanian}}
| map_state = collapsed
}}
The Pennsylvanian is a {{Convert|444|mi|km|adj=on}} daily daytime Amtrak train running between New York City and Pittsburgh via Philadelphia. The trains travel across the Appalachian Mountains, through Pennsylvania's capital Harrisburg, the Pennsylvania Dutch Country, suburban and central Philadelphia, and New Jersey en route to New York. The entire train ride takes about 9 hours total: 1.5 hours between New York and Philadelphia, 2 hours between Philadelphia and Harrisburg, and 5.5 hours between Harrisburg and Pittsburgh.
The Pennsylvanian uses the same Amtrak-owned Philadelphia to Harrisburg Main Line as the Keystone Service trains, but continues further west via the Pittsburgh Line through Altoona and the Allegheny Mountains, eventually terminating its run in Pittsburgh. The Main Line and Pittsburgh Line collectively make up the Keystone Corridor, a federally-designated corridor for high-speed rail service.
History
=20th century=
File:AMT 275 Latrobe, PA 4-28-1980.jpg, April 28, 1980]]
File:Amtrak Pennsylvanian TR43.jpg]]
Prior to Amtrak's founding, the Pennsylvanian route was covered by the Duquesne, named after Fort Duquesne in Pittsburgh, and by the Juniata. Both trains operated by the Pennsylvania Railroad and from 1968 to 1971 by the PRR's successor, the Penn Central.Pennsylvania timetable, August 1950, Table 39 The Duquesne had a long history, finally becoming a daily New York–Pittsburgh train on October 25, 1959, numbered 16 eastbound and 25 westbound. When the Pennsylvania Railroad's successor, Penn Central, was formed in 1968, it continued to operate the Duquesne and the Juniata.Penn Central East-West timetable, October 1968
With the start of Amtrak operations on May 1, 1971, the Duquesne was renamed the Keystone and renumbered 42 westbound and 43 eastbound with the first Amtrak timetable on November 14, 1971. The Keystone was discontinued on April 30, 1972.{{Goldberg-Amtrak|p=116}}
The immediate impetus for the Pennsylvanian was the discontinuance of the National Limited, a New York–Kansas City train which had provided service over the corridor. That train, in turn, was the successor of the famed Spirit of St Louis. {{rp|75}} The Pennsylvanian began on April 27, 1980, as a state-supported daylight train between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, with connecting service to New York City via the Philadelphian, a Clocker train westbound and the Montrealer eastbound.
At the time the Pennsylvanian was inaugurated, the Broadway Limited was departing Pittsburgh at an inconvenient early morning hour. The new train ran with Amfleet equipment, including a cafe car.{{Cite news |last=Fisher |first=Ken |date=April 28, 1980 |title=Amtrak Train Begins Daylight State Crossing |work=Post-Gazette |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WqckAAAAIBAJ&pg=5844,5372226&dq=amtrak+pennsylvanian&hl=en |access-date=August 17, 2010}}{{Cite web |last=Amtrak |date=August 3, 1980 |title=National Train Timetable |url=http://www.timetables.org/full.php?group=19800803&item=0036 |access-date=August 17, 2010}} Pennsylvania agreed to pay 20% of the train's costs for the first year, or $580,000, with the state and Amtrak eventually splitting the costs 50/50 by the third year.{{Cite news |last=McCann |first=Tom |date=April 23, 1980 |title=Amtrak, PennDOT expand service |work=Daily Collegian |url=http://digitalnewspapers.libraries.psu.edu/Default/Skins/BasicArch/Client.asp?Skin=BasicArch&&AppName=2&enter=true&BaseHref=DCG/1980/04/23&EntityId=Ar02301 |access-date=August 17, 2010 |archive-date=January 21, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121012039/http://digitalnewspapers.libraries.psu.edu/Default/Skins/BasicArch/Client.asp?Skin=BasicArch&&AppName=2&enter=true&BaseHref=DCG/1980/04/23&EntityId=Ar02301 |url-status=dead }}
Between 1981 and 1983, Pennsylvanian equipment was turned every night to operate a second state-supported train, the Fort Pitt, which ran from Pittsburgh to Altoona.{{Cite news |last=McCann |first=Tom |date=April 15, 1981 |title=Amtrak expands service: Western Pa. to get Three full runs |work=The Daily Collegian |url=http://digitalnewspapers.libraries.psu.edu/Default/Skins/BasicArch/Client.asp?Skin=BasicArch&&AppName=2&enter=true&BaseHref=DCG/1981/04/15&EntityId=Ar00700 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707112440/http://digitalnewspapers.libraries.psu.edu/Default/Skins/BasicArch/Client.asp?Skin=BasicArch&&AppName=2&enter=true&BaseHref=DCG/1981/04/15&EntityId=Ar00700 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 7, 2012 |access-date=August 9, 2009 }} Amtrak withdrew this train in early 1983 after the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) declined to continue subsidizing the increased operation. At the time the Fort Pitt carried 30 passengers per day.{{Cite news |date=December 24, 1982 |title=Train serving Latrobe, Greensburg finished |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1129&dat=19821224&id=huUNAAAAIBAJ&pg=6904,6229361 |access-date=August 9, 2009 }}{{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} On October 30, 1983, the Pennsylvanian was extended to New York City, eliminating the transfer at Philadelphia.{{Cite book |url=http://www.timetables.org/browse/?group=19831030&item=0035 |title=National Train Timetables |date=October 30, 1983 |publisher=Amtrak |page=34 |via=Museum of Railway Timetables}}
After significant ridership gains in 1984, PennDOT proposed that a second train be added to the route. PennDOT and Amtrak would have split the costs evenly. Amtrak officials were favorable, but budget problems stalled the plan.{{Cite news |last=Fisher |first=Ken |date=January 7, 1986 |title=Second train to New York put on hold |work=Post-Gazette |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FlQNAAAAIBAJ&pg=4438,1334419&dq=amtrak+pennsylvanian&hl=en |access-date=August 21, 2010}}
In the late 1980s, passenger rail groups urged Amtrak to extend the Pennsylvanian to Cleveland, Ohio. Proposals included new stations in Sewickley and Beaver Falls.{{Cite news |last=Sterling |first=Joe |date=March 15, 1989 |title=Amtrak may OK area stop for route |work=Pittsburgh Press |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hsYyAAAAIBAJ&pg=2927,8968755&dq=amtrak+pennsylvanian&hl=en |access-date=August 21, 2010}} Pressure increased in 1989 when Amtrak announced the re-routing of the Broadway Limited and Capitol Limited over that same route as part of a restructuring of routes in Indiana. As part of this change, the Capitol Limited began serving the Cleveland–Pittsburgh route, albeit in the middle of the night.{{Cite news |last=Utterback |first=Debra |date=November 14, 1989 |title=Amtrak train heads for Beaver Falls, but it won't be stopping |work=The Beaver County Times |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=oroiAAAAIBAJ&pg=2356,2739580&dq=amtrak+pennsylvanian&hl=en |access-date=August 21, 2010}} Amtrak and PennDOT considered two routes for an extended Pennsylvanian: one via Alliance, Ohio, following the route of the Capitol Limited, and one via Youngstown, Ohio, partially following the Broadway Limited, with a new stop in New Castle, Pennsylvania.{{Cite news |last=Moore |first=Lori |date=September 28, 1990 |title=Group continues call for trains stop |work=The Beaver County Times |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=H7kiAAAAIBAJ&pg=4232,5273139&dq=amtrak+pennsylvanian&hl=en |access-date=August 21, 2010}}
On November 7, 1998, Amtrak extended the Pennsylvanian through to Chicago along the route of the Capitol Limited via Toledo, finally bringing a daylight connection to Cleveland. The Three Rivers continued to run over a different schedule via Akron, Ohio and Fostoria. As part of the change Amtrak truncated the eastern end to Philadelphia, enabling the train to complete the run within a single day.{{Cite news |date=September 9, 1998 |title=All Aboard: Amtrak schedule changes are what it has to do |work=Post-Gazette |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=k4gNAAAAIBAJ&pg=3984,5710112&dq=amtrak+pennsylvanian&hl=en |access-date=August 17, 2010 }}{{Dead link|date=December 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{Cite web |last=Amtrak |date=October 25, 1998 |title=National Timetable |url=http://www.timetables.org/full.php?group=19981025n&item=0028 |access-date=August 17, 2010}}
The change was driven by Amtrak's growing mail and express business; Pittsburgh–Philadelphia ridership suffered.{{Cite magazine |last=Johnston |first=Bob |date=May 2000 |title=Under a new strategy, Amtrak to add trains, routes |url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f6h&AN=3177885&site=ehost-live |magazine=Trains |volume=60 |issue=5 |page=16}} {{subscription required|via=[https://www.ebsco.com/ EBSCO]'s Academic Search Complete}}
=21st century=
Amtrak returned the Pennsylvanian to the New York–Pittsburgh route on January 27, 2003, citing low ridership and Amtrak's withdrawal from the express freight business.{{Cite news |last=Patch |first=David |date=December 11, 2002 |title=Amtrak trims Toledo service |work=Toledo Blade |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=aYcUAAAAIBAJ&pg=3383,3343895&dq=amtrak+pennsylvanian&hl=en |access-date=August 17, 2010 }}{{Dead link|date=December 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
On November 1, 2004, Amtrak merged the Pennsylvanian and Three Rivers, keeping the latter name with a western terminus in Chicago. Amtrak had sought $2.5 million in assistance from Pennsylvania to keep both trains running. On March 8, 2005, Amtrak truncated service to Pittsburgh-New York City, and restored the Pennsylvanian name to the route.{{Cite news |last=Ritchie |first=Jim |date=October 1, 2004 |title=PennDOT won't chip in for cross-state train |publisher=Tribune-Review |url=http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_257106.html |access-date=August 17, 2010 }}{{Dead link|date=December 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{Cite news |last=Ritchie |first=Jim |date=March 6, 2005 |title=Pittsburgh to be end of the line for train |publisher=Tribune-Review |url=http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_310138.html |access-date=August 17, 2010 }}{{Dead link|date=December 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
The train has been primarily financed by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation since October 1, 2013, when the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 took effect.{{Cite web |last=Bumsted |first=Brad |date=August 30, 2013 |title=State, Amtrak hope to fast-track passenger rail service deal |url=http://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/4558335-74/amtrak-train-philadelphia |access-date=February 21, 2018 |website=TribLive |language=en-US}} This federal law eliminated federal subsidies for Amtrak routes less than {{Convert|750|mi|}} in length.{{Cite web |last=Vock |first=Daniel C. |date=June 24, 2015 |title=States Take Larger Role in Passenger Rail |url=http://www.governing.com/topics/transportation-infrastructure/gov-states-take-larger-role-providing-passenger-rail.html |access-date=February 21, 2018 |website=www.governing.com |language=en}}{{Cite press release |title=North Carolina and Amtrak Reach Agreement to Continue Passenger Rail Service |date=September 27, 2013 |publisher=Amtrak |url=https://media.amtrak.com/2013/09/north-carolina-and-amtrak-reach-agreement-to-continue-passenger-rail-service/ |access-date=February 21, 2018 |archive-date=February 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222165142/https://media.amtrak.com/2013/09/north-carolina-and-amtrak-reach-agreement-to-continue-passenger-rail-service/ |url-status=dead }}
In late 2019, the train began operating with a baggage car for checked baggage and bicycle handling at New York, Newark, Philadelphia, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Altoona, Johnstown and Pittsburgh.{{Cite web |date=October 14, 2019 |title=Amtrak Launches Bicycle Service and Baggage Check on Pennsylvanian Trains |url=https://media.amtrak.com/2019/10/amtrak-launches-bicycle-service-and-baggage-check-on-pennsylvanian-trains/ |access-date=January 14, 2022 |website=Amtrak Media |language=en-US}}
In March 2020, service on the Pennsylvanian was suspended as part of a round of service reduction in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite press release |title=Service Adjustments Due to Coronavirus |date=March 24, 2020 |publisher=Amtrak |url=https://www.amtrak.com/alert/nec-modified-schedule.html |access-date=March 25, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325190328/https://www.amtrak.com/alert/nec-modified-schedule.html |archive-date=March 25, 2020 |author=}} Service resumed on June 1, 2020.{{Cite news |date=May 21, 2020 |title=Amtrak announces re-opening of some Pa. service, with new safety guidelines |publisher=The Patriot-News (PennLive) |url=https://www.pennlive.com/life/2020/05/amtrak-announces-re-opening-of-some-pa-service-with-new-safety-guidelines.html |access-date=May 22, 2020}}
Proposed expansion
=Increased frequency=
The Pennsylvania State Rail Plan 2020 called for a second round-trip Amtrak train between Pittsburgh and New York City, with one trip beginning and terminating in Cleveland. The second trip was then projected to begin during the fiscal year running from October 2023 to September 2024. The feasibility, schedule, and cost of adding a second train were underway as of November 2020.{{Cite news |last=Napsha |first=Joe |date=November 16, 2020 |title=State seeks to add Pittsburgh-to-New York City Amtrak train |publisher=TribLive |url=https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/state-seeks-to-add-pittsburgh-to-harrisburg-amtrak-train/ |access-date=November 21, 2020}}
In June 2022, the state and Norfolk Southern announced an agreement for a $200 million capacity improvement, with a second Pennsylvanian round trip to be added by 2025.{{Cite press release |title=Governor Wolf Announces Commonwealth, Norfolk Southern Operating Agreement to Expand Western Pa. Passenger-Rail Access |date=June 27, 2022 |publisher=Office of Governor Tom Wolf |url=https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/governor-wolf-announces-commonwealth-norfolk-southern-operating-agreement-to-expand-western-pa-passenger-rail-access/ |access-date=June 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116182636/https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/governor-wolf-announces-commonwealth-norfolk-southern-operating-agreement-to-expand-western-pa-passenger-rail-access/ |archive-date=January 16, 2023}} By August 2023, the opening date had slipped to 2026, with construction on the necessary infrastructure planned to start in 2024.{{cite news |last1=Sutor |first1=Dave |title=Passenger rail plans on track for 2nd train through Johnstown by 2026 |url=https://news.yahoo.com/passenger-rail-plans-track-2nd-115200033.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=tw&tsrc=twtr |access-date=August 3, 2023 |work=The Tribune-Democrat |date=August 2, 2023}} In September 2023, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and Norfolk Southern reached an agreement on making the necessary $200 million worth of improvements to the line for a second daily service.{{cite news |last1=Blazina |first1=Ed |title=PennDOT, Norfolk Southern sign agreement to enable a second passenger train between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg |url=https://www.unionprogress.com/2023/09/22/penndot-norfolk-southern-sign-agreement-to-enable-a-second-passenger-train-between-pittsburgh-and-harrisburg/ |access-date=September 24, 2023 |work=Pittsburgh Union-Progress |date=September 22, 2023}}
In December 2023, the project was awarded $143.6 million from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) with PennDOT providing 20% in matching funds. The Pennsylvanian route was also selected into the FRA's Corridor Identification and Development Program, granting $500,000 to study further service increases.{{cite news |title=Pittsburgh-Harrisburg route improvements to receive $143.6 million federal grant |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/pittsburgh-harrisburg-route-improvements-to-receive-143-6-million-federal-grant/ |access-date=7 December 2023 |work=Trains |date=7 December 2023}}
=Westward extension=
There is currently no through service west of Pittsburgh, though the Floridian continues to provide service to Chicago. As part of its federally mandated analysis of the worst-performing long-distance routes, Amtrak determined that reinstating a through-car connection with the Pennsylvanian would result in the highest gain in monetary and customer service measurements of possible options. To implement this, Amtrak plans to operate a Viewliner sleeper car, an Amfleet cafe car and two Amfleet coaches between Chicago and New York approximating the historic Broadway Limited, via the Capitol Limited and Pennsylvanian. This would begin when funding and equipment is available.{{Cite web |title=PRIIA Section 210 FY10 Performance Improvement Plan Capitol Limited |url=http://trn.trains.com/~/media/Files/PDF/CapLtdPIPsec210PRIIA9-30-10.ashx |access-date=November 13, 2010 |website=Trains Magazine |publisher=Amtrak}} On January 28, 2011, it was announced that Pennsylvania had received a $750,000 grant from the federal government to study expanding service westwards from Harrisburg to Pittsburgh along the route of the Pennsylvanian, including higher speeds and additional frequencies.{{Cite web |date=January 28, 2011 |title=Feds pledge $750G for rail study |url=http://tribune-democrat.com/local/x376909232/Feds-pledge-750G-for-rail-study |access-date=January 29, 2011 |publisher=Johnstown Tribune Democrat}}
Operation
= Equipment =
File:The Pennsylvanian (4932646659).jpg]]
A typical Pennsylvanian consists of a locomotive, a Viewliner baggage car, an Amfleet Business Class coach, Amfleet Café car, and four or five Amfleet coaches.{{Cite web |title=Amtrak – Pennsylvanian |url=http://www.trainweb.org/usarail/pennsylvanian.htm |access-date=December 27, 2022 |website=TrainWeb}}
Between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, trains are pulled by a GE Genesis diesel locomotive at speeds up to {{convert|110|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}}. Between Philadelphia and New York, the service operates over the Northeast Corridor which has overhead electric wires and trains are pulled by Siemens ACS-64 electric locomotives at speeds up to {{convert|125|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}}
In the coming years all equipment will be replaced with Amtrak Airo trainsets, the railroad's branding of its combination of Siemens Venture passenger cars and a Siemens Charger diesel-electric locomotive.{{Cite web |date=December 15, 2022 |title=Introducing Our New Trains: Amtrak Airo |url=https://www.amtrak.com/amtrak-airo |access-date=December 15, 2022 |website=Amtrak |language=en}} The trainsets for the Pennsylvanian will have six passenger cars, which will include a food service area and a mix of 2x2 Coach Class and 2x1 Business Class seating.{{Cite web |title=Amtrak FY 2022–2027 Asset Line Plan |url=https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/corporate/businessplanning/Amtrak-Service-Asset-Line-Plans-FY22-27.pdf |access-date=April 11, 2022 |website=Amtrak |page=132}} The car closest to the locomotive will be a specialized "Auxiliary Power Vehicle" which will include a pantograph to collect power from overhead lines and will feed it to four traction motors in the car, and via a DC link cable, to the four traction motors in the locomotive.{{Cite news |last=Worrell |first=Carolina |date=December 19, 2022 |title=First Look: Amtrak Airo |language=en-US |work=Railway Age |url=https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/intercity/first-look-amtrak-airo/ |access-date=December 21, 2022}} The arrangement will offer a near seamless transition between power sources, a process that currently requires a time-consuming locomotive change in Philadelphia.
= Classes of service =
All classes of service include complimentary WiFi, an electric outlet (120 V, 60 Hz AC) at each seat, reading lamps, fold-out tray tables. Reservations are required on all trains, tickets may be purchased online, from an agent at some stations, a ticketing machine at most stations, or, at a higher cost, from the conductor on the train.{{Cite web |title=Travel Guide to Train Fares |url=https://www.amtrak.com/planning-booking/tickets-reservations/guide-to-fares.html |access-date=April 8, 2018 |website=Amtrak}}
- Coach Class: 2x2 seating. Passengers self-select seats on a first-come, first-served basis.{{Cite web |title=Reserved Coach Class Seat |url=https://www.amtrak.com/onboard/onboard-accommodations-for-all-your-needs/seating-accommodations/reserved-coach.html |access-date=April 8, 2018 |website=Amtrak}}
- Business Class: 2x2 seating with complimentary soft drinks.
= Ridership =
Over fiscal years 2009–2016, ridership grew from 199,484 to 223,114, an increase of 10.6%. Ridership peaked at 231,720 in FY 2015. Ticket revenue grew from $7,819,404 to $11,555,451, an increase of 47.8%.{{efn|Compiled from Amtrak's annual ridership and revenue reports.{{Cite web |date=April 17, 2017 |title=Amtrak FY16 Ridership and Revenue Fact Sheet |url=http://media.amtrak.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Amtrak-FY16-Ridership-and-Revenue-Fact-Sheet-4_17_17-mm-edits.pdf |access-date=January 25, 2018 |publisher=Amtrak |ref=ridership}}{{Cite web |title=Amtrak FY15 Ridership & Revenue |url=http://media.amtrak.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/FY15Ridership_Revenue_Fact_Sheet_11-5-15.pdf |access-date=February 21, 2018 |publisher=Amtrak |type=PDF |archive-date=August 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830212820/https://media.amtrak.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/FY15Ridership_Revenue_Fact_Sheet_11-5-15.pdf |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |title=Amtrak Fiscal Year 2014 Ridership and Revenue |url=https://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/238/481/Amtrak-FY2014-Ridership-and-Revenue-ATK-14-096%20.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310060104/https://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/238/481/Amtrak-FY2014-Ridership-and-Revenue-ATK-14-096%20.pdf |archive-date=March 10, 2016 |access-date=February 21, 2018 |publisher=Amtrak |type=PDF}}{{Cite web |title=Amtrak Fiscal Year 2013 Ridership and Revenue |url=https://amtrakmedia.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/FY13-Record-Ridership-ATK-13-122.pdf |access-date=February 21, 2018 |publisher=Amtrak |type=PDF}}{{Cite web |title=Amtrak Fiscal Year 2012 Ridership and Revenue |url=https://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/636/294/Amtrak-Sets-New-Ridership-Record-FY2012-ATK-12-092.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310061640/https://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/636/294/Amtrak-Sets-New-Ridership-Record-FY2012-ATK-12-092.pdf |archive-date=March 10, 2016 |access-date=February 21, 2018 |publisher=Amtrak |type=PDF}}{{Cite web |title=Amtrak Fiscal Year 2011 Ridership and Revenue |url=https://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/968/399/ATK-11-133%20Record%20FY11%20Ridership%20and%20Revenue.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310061643/https://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/968/399/ATK-11-133%20Record%20FY11%20Ridership%20and%20Revenue.pdf |archive-date=March 10, 2016 |access-date=February 21, 2018 |publisher=Amtrak |type=PDF}}{{Cite web |title=Amtrak Fiscal Year 2010 Ridership and Revenue |url=https://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/130/553/ATK-10-134%20AmtrakRidershipRecordFY10.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310055909/https://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/130/553/ATK-10-134%20AmtrakRidershipRecordFY10.pdf |archive-date=March 10, 2016 |access-date=February 21, 2018 |publisher=Amtrak |type=PDF}}{{cite web |title=Amtrak® FY17 Ridership |url=https://media.amtrak.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/FY17-Ridership-Fact-Sheet-Final.pdf |website=Amtrak Media |publisher=Amtrak |access-date=May 28, 2023 |archive-date=November 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171119033231/http://media.amtrak.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/FY17-Ridership-Fact-Sheet-Final.pdf |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |title=Amtrak® FY18 Ridership |url=https://media.amtrak.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/FY18-Ridership-Fact-Sheet-1.pdf |website=Amtrak Media |publisher=Amtrak |access-date=May 28, 2023}}{{cite web |title=Amtrak FY19 Ridership |url=https://media.amtrak.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/FY19-Year-End-Ridership.pdf |website=Amtrak Media |publisher=Amtrak |access-date=May 28, 2023}}{{cite web |title=Amtrak FY20 Ridership |url=https://media.amtrak.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/FY20-Year-End-Ridership.pdf |website=Amtrak Media |publisher=Amtrak |access-date=May 28, 2023}}{{cite web |title=Amtrak FY21 Ridership |url=https://media.amtrak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/FY21-Year-End-Revenue-and-Ridership.pdf |website=Amtrak Media |publisher=Amtrak |access-date=May 28, 2023}}{{cite web |title=Amtrak FY22 Ridership |url=https://media.amtrak.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/FY22-Year-End-Revenue-and-Ridership.pdf |website=Amtrak Media |publisher=Amtrak |access-date=May 28, 2023}}}} Starting in 2017 Amtrak stopped reporting their revenue data alongside ridership data. as such it was excluded.
Starting in fiscal year 2020, Amtrak revised how it calculates ridership, causing a small but noticeable drop in the 2019 numbers. It was chosen to report the revised metrics below.{{cite web |title=Amtrak FY20 Ridership |url=https://media.amtrak.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/FY20-Year-End-Ridership.pdf |website=Amtrak Media |publisher=Amtrak |access-date=May 28, 2023}}
== COVID-19 ==
The impact of COVID-19 was split across FY2020 and FY2021, as reflected in the lower than average passenger numbers across those two years. The pandemic caused an initial drop of ridership in FY2020 of 39% on the route as compared to FY2019. The drop remained throughout FY2021, with a relative drop of 40.3% compared to FY2019, the last fiscal year pre-covid data exists.{{efn|Compiled from Amtrak's annual ridership and revenue reports and PennDOT Annual Report.{{cite web |title=Amtrak FY19 Non-Adjusted Revenue|url=https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/corporate/monthlyperformancereports/2019/Amtrak-Monthly-Performance-Report-FY2019-Final.pdf |website=Amtrak Media |publisher=Amtrak |access-date=December 12, 2023}}
{{ #invoke:Chart | bar chart
| group 1 = 199484:203392:207422:212006:218917:230767:231720:223114:221450:214827:209290:127683:128451:176130:192728:233942
| group 2 = 7819404:8453934:8856539:9281813:10431324:11447786:11530141:11555451:0:0:14800000:22700000:15500000:15000000:16600000:16000000
| units prefix = : $
| group names = Annual ridership:Annual revenue
| x legends = 2009:2010:2011:2012:2013:2014:2015:2016:2017:2018:2019:2020:2021:2022:2023:2024
| scale per group = 1
| colors = blue:red
| width = 800
}}
= Route =
Going westwards, the Pennsylvanian initially follows the portion of the Amtrak-owned Northeast Corridor from New York City to Philadelphia; the remainder of the route follows the historic Pennsylvania Railroad's Main Line. It reverses direction in Philadelphia and follows the Amtrak-owned Philadelphia to Harrisburg Main Line to Harrisburg. The remaining portion over the Norfolk Southern Railway's Pittsburgh Line follows the Juniata River and then Little Juniata River to Altoona, after which it climbs Allegheny Mountain and then follows the Little Conemaugh River and then Conemaugh River. After crossing Chestnut Ridge, it winds across the Allegheny Plateau before descending Brush Creek and Turtle Creek into the Pittsburgh area.{{Cite web |last=Amtrak |date=June 2, 2013 |title=Pennsylvanian On-Time Performance |url=http://www.amtrak.com/pennsylvanian-train&mode=perf&overrideDefaultTemplate=OTPPageHorizontalRouteOverview |access-date=June 2, 2013}}
= Station stops =
| class="wikitable mw-collapsible" | |||
| State
!Town/City !Station !Connections | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| NY | New York City | Penn Station | {{rint|us|amtrak}} Amtrak (long-distance): {{lnl|Amtrak|Cardinal}}, {{lnl|Amtrak|Crescent}}, Lake Shore Limited, {{lnl|Amtrak|Palmetto}}, Silver Meteor {{rint|us|amtrak}} Amtrak (intercity): {{lnl|Amtrak|Acela}}, {{lnl|Amtrak|Adirondack}}, {{lnl|Amtrak|Berkshire Flyer}}, {{lnl|Amtrak|Carolinian}}, {{lnl|Amtrak|Empire Service}}, Ethan Allen Express, Keystone Service, {{lnl|Amtrak|Maple Leaf}}, Northeast Regional, {{lnl|Amtrak|Vermonter}} {{rint|newyork|lirr}} Long Island Rail Road: {{rcb|LIRR|Main|inline=square}}, {{rcb|LIRR|Port Washington|inline=square}} {{rint|njt}} NJ Transit: {{rcb|NJ Transit|North Jersey Coast|inline=square}}, {{rcb|NJ Transit|Northeast Corridor|inline=square}}, {{rcb|NJ Transit|Gladstone|inline=square}}, {{rcb|NJ Transit|Montclair-Boonton|inline=square}}, {{rcb|NJ Transit|Morristown|inline=square}} {{rint|newyork|subway}} NYC Subway: {{NYCS Broadway-Seventh|complex=y|time=bullets}}{{NYCS Eighth south|complex=y|time=bullets}} {{rint|path}} PATH: {{rcb|PATH|HOB-33|inline=route}} {{rcb|PATH|JSQ-33|inline=route}} {{rcb|PATH|JSQ-33 (via HOB)|inline=route}} {{rint|bus|1}} Local bus: MTA Bus {{rint|bus}} Intercity bus: FlixBus |
| rowspan=2|NJ | Newark | Newark Penn Station | {{rint|us|amtrak}} Amtrak: Acela, Cardinal, Carolinian, Crescent, Keystone Service, Northeast Regional, Palmetto, Silver Meteor, Vermonter {{rint|newark}} Newark Light Rail {{rint|njt}} NJ Transit: {{rcb|NJ Transit|North Jersey Coast|inline=square}}, {{rcb|NJ Transit|Northeast Corridor|inline=square}}, {{rcb|NJ Transit|Raritan Valley|inline=square}} {{rint|path}} PATH: {{rcb|PATH|NWK-WTC|inline=route}} {{rint|bus|1}} Local bus: NJ Transit Bus {{rint|bus}} Intercity bus: {{rint|us|greyhound}} Greyhound, Coach USA, Fullington Trailways |
| Trenton | {{amtk|Trenton}} | {{rint|us|amtrak}} Amtrak: Cardinal, Carolinian, Crescent, Keystone Service, Northeast Regional, Palmetto, Silver Meteor, Vermonter {{rint|njt|rail}} NJ Transit: {{rcb|NJ Transit|Northeast Corridor|inline=square}}, {{rcb|NJ Transit|River|inline=square}} {{rint|septa}} SEPTA Regional Rail: {{rcb|SEPTA|Trenton|inline=square}} {{rint|bus|1}} Local bus: SEPTA Suburban Bus, NJ Transit Bus | |
| rowspan=14|PA | Philadelphia | 30th Street Station | {{rint|us|amtrak}} Amtrak: Acela, Cardinal, Carolinian, Crescent, Keystone Service, Northeast Regional, Palmetto, Silver Meteor, Vermonter {{rint|septa}} SEPTA Regional Rail: all lines {{rint|njt}} NJ Transit: {{rcb|NJ Transit|Atlantic City|inline=square}} {{ric|SEPTA Metro|name=y}}: {{ric|SEPTA Metro|L}} {{ric|SEPTA Metro|T}} {{rint|bus|1}} Local bus: SEPTA City Bus, SEPTA Suburban Bus, NJ Transit Bus {{rint|bus}} Intercity bus: Martz Trailways, Peter Pan |
| Paoli | {{amtk|Paoli}} | {{rint|us|amtrak}} Amtrak: Keystone Service {{rint|septa}} SEPTA Regional Rail: {{rcb|SEPTA|Paoli/Thorndale|inline=square}} {{rint|bus|1}} Local bus: SEPTA Suburban Bus | |
| Exton | {{amtk|Exton}} | {{rint|us|amtrak}} Amtrak: Keystone Service {{rint|septa}} SEPTA Regional Rail: {{rcb|SEPTA|Paoli/Thorndale|inline=square}} {{rint|bus|1}} Local bus: SEPTA Suburban Bus, West Chester University shuttle | |
| Lancaster | {{amtk|Lancaster}} | {{rint|us|amtrak}} Amtrak: Keystone Service {{rint|bus|1}} Local bus: Red Rose Transit Authority | |
| Elizabethtown | {{amtk|Elizabethtown}} | {{rint|us|amtrak}} Amtrak: Keystone Service {{rint|bus|1}} Local bus: Red Rose Transit Authority | |
| Harrisburg | Harrisburg Transportation Center | {{rint|us|amtrak}} Amtrak: Keystone Service {{rint|bus|1}} Local bus: Capital Area Transit, Lebanon Transit, rabbittransit {{rint|bus}} Intercity bus: {{rint|us|greyhound}} Greyhound, Fullington Trailways | |
| Lewistown | {{amtk|Lewistown}} | ||
| Huntingdon | {{amtk|Huntingdon}} | ||
| Tyrone | {{amtk|Tyrone}} | {{rint|bus}} Intercity bus: {{rint|us|greyhound}} Greyhound | |
| Altoona | Altoona Transportation Center | {{rint|bus|1}} Local bus: AMTRAN {{rint|bus}} Intercity bus: {{rint|us|greyhound}} Greyhound | |
| Johnstown | {{amtk|Johnstown}} | {{rint|bus|1}} Local bus: CamTran {{rint|bus}} Intercity bus: {{rint|us|greyhound}} Greyhound | |
| Latrobe | {{amtk|Latrobe}} | {{rint|bus|1}} Local bus: Westmoreland County Transit Authority | |
| Greensburg | {{amtk|Greensburg}} | {{rint|bus|1}} Local bus: Westmoreland County Transit Authority | |
| Pittsburgh | Union Station | {{rint|us|amtrak}} Amtrak: {{lnl|Amtrak|Floridian}} {{rint|bus|1}} Local bus: Pittsburgh Regional Transit {{rint|bus}} Intercity bus: {{rint|us|greyhound}} Greyhound, Fullington Trailways |
References
Notes
{{notelist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Pennsylvanian (train)}}
{{Attached KML|display=title,inline}}
- {{amtrak web|route=yes}}
{{Northeast Corridor navbox}}
{{Amtrak routes}}
{{PittsburghTransit}}
{{Susquehanna Valley Railroads}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Good article}}
Category:Passenger rail transportation in New York (state)
Category:Passenger rail transportation in New Jersey
Category:Passenger rail transportation in Pennsylvania
Category:Transportation in Pittsburgh