Passenger Train Project In Chesco, Montco And Berks On Track: Update

PHOENIXVILLE, PA —The Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority on Monday hired a Texas-based infrastructure consulting firm to help prepare a blueprint to restore train service from Reading to Philadelphia.

AECOM, headquartered in Dallas, was awarded a $750,000 contract to prepare a plan following the news that the project was accepted into the federal Railroad Administration’s transportation program.

The contract to begin the long process of restoring train service comes after the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority was granted $500,000 and accepted into the Federal Railroad Administration’s program that provides funding to restore passenger rail service in the Reading to Philadelphia corridor.

The authority consists of representatives of Chester, Montgomery, and Berks counties. Officials estimate that the train will be open in 2027.

Passenger train service will provide stops in Reading, Pottstown, Phoenixville, Philadelphia, and New York.

The train would run on a renovated existing rail line that closed in 1983.

The authority also voted to renew a contract with Virtual Farm Creative, Phoenixville, to manage the social media accounts of the authority and develop a quarterly newsletter.