UPGRADING THE AMTRAK KEYSTONE CORRIDOR Mark A. Wurpel Director Project Initiation & Development Amtrak 2005 AREMA Conference & Exposition Chicago, Illinois
ABSTRACT: Upgrading the Amtrak Keystone Corridor Frank A. Vacca Deputy Chief Engineer-Construction Amtrak Amtrak is partnering with PennDOT in a 50-50 funding agreement. Amtrak acts as the construction contractor for the improvement of its premier rail passenger feeder line, the Keystone Corridor. Scope of work covers the intercity tracks used by Amtrak and Norfolk Southern Railroad from Philadelphia to the state capital, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The $145.5 million program has for principal purpose is to make the rail journey "auto-competitive" by reducing the travel time over the 105 mile line from 120 to 105 minutes, or 90 minutes for express trains making only two stops in lieu of ten intermediate stops. This paper will provide an update of progress over two construction seasons in the track renewal, bridge improvements, signaling and electric traction improvements and the station enhancements. Some of the key features of the project are: FRA class 6 track with new CWR 85 track miles of a total of 250 to be completely renewed using concrete ties Interlocking reconfiguration and renewals Steel girder open decks replaced by Reinforced Concrete ballasted decks with ballast mats and water proofing Culvert and masonry bridge repairs Installation of reverse signaling for bi-directional running capability Co-author: Heiner Moehren Urban Engineers
Keystone Corridor Historical Overview Amtrak s 105 mile Keystone Corridor is located in Pennsylvania (known as the Keystone State) and connects the cities of Philadelphia and Harrisburg, the state capitol. Passenger and freight railroad operations along the corridor began well before the Civil War and continue today. While the Amtrak owned Keystone Corridor currently ends at Harrisburg, the railroad continues westward to California. The Keystone Corridor when originally constructed was a 68 mile four track system between Philadelphia and Lancaster. The west-end 37 mile section between Lancaster and Harrisburg was and continues to be two track system. At the height of passenger service in the early 1900 s there were approximately 55 passenger stations in operation between Philadelphia and Harrisburg while only 30 stations remain in operation in 2005. Initial Pennsylvania Railroad operations along the corridor used steam locomotives which continued in service until the mid 1900 s. The 20 mile long eastern section of the Keystone Corridor between Philadelphia and Paoli was electrified in 1915 with the remaining 84 miles between Paoli and Harrisburg electrified in 1938. Currently 21 interlockings remain in service today between Philadelphia and Harrisburg. The majority of the interlockings are controlled from local towers with a few still being hand operated.
Keystone Corridor Today Operations Today, the Keystone Corridor supports a mixed-use operation as follows. Amtrak Amtrak provides intercity passenger operations serving 12 stations along the Keystone Corridor. Amtrak currently operates 11 daily roundtrips which includes the Pennsylvanian operating between New York and Pittsburg, PA. While Amtrak currently operates diesel powered trains at speeds up to 110 mph in a small section of the Keystone Corridor, nearly 80 percent of the track miles between Philadelphia and Harrisburg have slow orders that result in speeds of 70-90 mph. As a result of the various slow orders Amtrak s current travel time between Harrisburg and Philadelphia is approximately two hours. Amtrak rider ship in the 12 month period between October 2003 and September 2004 was nearly 700,000. SEPTA (South Eastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) SEPTA provides commuter/passenger operations serving 23 stations in the eastern 35 miles of the Keystone Corridor. SEPTA currently operates 118 weekday trains over various sections between Philadelphia and Thorndale, PA and carries 28,000 passengers a day.
Norfolk Southern Norfolk Southern currently operates up to 12 freight trains per day along the Keystone Corridor M&H Railroad (Middletown & Hummelstown) M&H RR currently operates a short line freight operation interchanging with the Norfolk Southern at Middletown, PA. Strasburg Railroad Strasburg Railroad currently operates a short line railroad providing Steam powered passenger excursion service as well as freight service that interchanges at the Keystone Corridor. Infrastructure Due to funding shortfalls and limited resources, Amtrak has focused its infrastructure improvements primarily along the Northeast Corridor between Washington, DC and Boston, MA where it operates trains up to 150 mph in Rhode Island and 135 mph in New Jersey. As a direct result of infrastructure age coupled with deferred maintenance over many years the Keystone Corridor has seen a gradual decline in operating speeds, travel times, ride quality and reliability due to numerous slow orders.
There is approximately 250 track miles in service today on the Keystone Corridor. The track structure consists of wood ties with the majority of the rail being bolted. In many areas drainage is less than desirable and in conjunction with the track structure has resulted in numerous slow orders. The majority of the interlocking and wayside switches are old and beyond their useful and maintainable life. The overhead catenary system is 12,000 volt/25 cycle and is fed from 12-138,000 volt substations along the line. The poles supporting the overhead catenary system are original. While Amtrak currently uses diesel locomotives on its trains, SEPTA s commuter operation utilizes the overhead catenary system. Although the 70 mile western section of the Keystone Corridor between Thorndale and Harrisburg, PA has not seen significant electric operation use in the last several years, it never the less, due to age and deferred maintenance, requires substantial upgrading to insure reliability. The antiquated signal system is comprised of wayside signals along the entire Keystone Corridor which are controlled from manned Interlocking towers. The signal system for the majority of the corridor provides for signals in one direction only. There are numerous undergrade bridges and culverts along the Keystone Corridor that are nearing the end of their useful life and require upgrades or replacement. Keystone Corridor Upgraded 2000 to 2006 In 2002 Amtrak and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) formally agreed to jointly fund a $145.5 million Keystone Corridor Improvement Program (KCIP) to upgrade the infrastructure along the 105 mile Keystone Corridor between Harrisburg and Philadelphia, PA.
Program benefits include: Increased speeds 110 mph Electric powered Amtrak trains and Push-Pull operations Reduced travel times - up to 15 minutes between Harrisburg and Philadelphia - up to 30 minutes between Harrisburg and New York City Increased rider ship - (20% so far in 2005) Improved ride quality Increased trips 4 additional weekday roundtrips Programmed Infrastructure Improvements While actual program work began in 2000, the majority of the infrastructure upgrades required for travel time improvements are occurring in 2005 with completion scheduled in 2006. Major elements of the $145.5 million program include: Track Improvements: Concrete Ties 85 track miles Continuous Welded Rail (CWR) - 105 track miles Wood Ties - 47,900 Wayside Turnouts - 28 Interlocking Upgrades - Cork/Lancaster(16 turnouts) and Roy/Middletown(8 turnouts) Structures Improvements: Undergrade Bridge/Structure Improvements 28
Communication & Signal Improvements: Reverse Signaling (Harrisburg-Lancaster) - 72 track miles Signal Power Cable Renewal (Paoli-Phila) - 17 route miles Interlocking Upgrades - Cork and Roy Electric Traction Improvements: Catenary Hardware Renewal - 40 track miles Substation Circuit Breakers (12kv) - 36 Interlocking Upgrades - Cork and Roy Keystone Corridor Project Status - as of June 2005 Track Wayside turnouts replaced (13) Continuous Welded Rail (CWR) installed (65 track miles) Harrisburg to Parksburg Concrete Ties installed (25 track miles) Lancaster to Parksburg Wood Ties installed (47,900 ties) Lancaster to Overbrook Structures Undergrade Bridges/Structures upgraded (15) Communication & Signals Signal Power Cable installed (17 route miles) - Paoli to Philadelphia Communication Instrument Houses installed (16) Harrisburg to Philadelphia Electric Traction Catenary Hardware replaced (8 track mi) Substation Circuit Breakers replaced (15)
Conclusion As a direct result of the shared vision, commitment and funding the State of Pennsylvania and Amtrak have partnered to restore the Keystone Corridor to a State of Good Repair to the benefit of all. This Keystone Corridor Program is a clear example of what can be accomplished when States and Railroads partner to leverage their resources to improve Rail corridors. As a direct result of this highly successful partnership, discussion and planning continues with all the Keystone Corridor stakeholders on the next phase of jointly funded Keystone Corridor Improvements.
New York/Boston MIDDLETOWN (MP 95) ELIZABETHTOWN (MP 87) MT. JOY (MP 80) HARRISBURG (MP 105) LANCASTER (MP 68) PARKESBURG (MP 44) COATESVILLE (MP 38) DOWNINGTOWN (MP 32) EXTON (MP 28) PAOLI (MP 20) ARDMORE (MP 9) SEPTA Commuter Service MP 0 PHILADELPHIA 30 th STREET STATION Thorndale (MP 36) AMTRAK Northeast Corridor Pennsylvania Maryland New Jersey LEGEND AMTRAK Northeast Corridor AMTRAK Keystone Corridor Washington Delaware MP 68 Terminal Stations Amtrak Station Stops Miles from Philadelphia AMTRAK KEYSTONE CORRIDOR -- PHILADELPHIA TO HARRISBURG, PA 2005 Figure A