PennDOT will finalize its study by the end of the year on the feasibility of using the Norfolk Southern owned rail corridor from Reading to Norristown for a passenger service train line, writes Holly Herman for the Reading Eagle.

Once completed, the study will be presented to local transportation leaders.

“This high-level evaluation of the Norfolk Southern owned rail corridor from Reading to Norristown will provide projected ridership estimates, general capital cost estimates, and outline the general procedure for establishing passenger rail service,” said Ashley Schoch, a PennDOT spokeswoman.

The study outlines the process required to establish passenger services and recognizes the following steps by an interested project sponsor. However it does require further coordination with Norfolk Southern.

Currently, the rail lines are exclusively used for freight services and there are so far no plans to accommodate passenger or commuter services, said Rachel McDonnell Bradshaw, spokeswoman for Norfolk Southern.

The proposed passenger service train line would run from Reading to Philadelphia and would stop in Reading, Pottstown, Royersford, Phoenixville, and Norristown.

Read more about the study at the Reading Eagle by clicking here.