Decision on rail line to Wyomissing due in fall, Montgomery County officials say

By Darrin Youker
Reading Eagle


Berks County should know by fall whether passenger trains will roll to and through Reading again.

That's when Montgomery County officials expect the results of a study they are leading on the cost of extending commuter service from Norristown to Wyomissing.

A consulting firm is preparing estimates on costs, financing and potential ridership. Once those are ready, planners will know if the idea stands a chance, said Leo D. Bagley, Montgomery County transportation planner.

"This is the last-gasp effort for the project," Bagley said. "We will either do this or put it to bed."

The plan calls for using Norfolk Southern track to extend the service of SEPTA's R-6 line from Norristown into Wyomissing.

It is a scaled-down version of the $2 billion Schuylkill Valley Metro proposal, which would have established service from Wyomissing to downtown Philadelphia.

That proposal relied heavily on federal funding that was never made available.

Bagley said the R-6 Extension probably won't qualify for federal funding either, meaning it would need a mix of funding from the state, three counties and private companies.

No decision has been made on the funding, including how much Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties would be asked to contribute.

"We are trying to keep those options open," Bagley said, referring to the funding.