Well, there is once again “talk” of returning passenger rail service to former Reading rails. This time it’s focused on the Allentown-Easton-Bethlehem area.

Lehigh Valley studying viability of restarting rail service to Philadelphia area

One comment from the article that made me chuckle: “Another problem is that the rights of way that had hosted rail service between Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley decades ago are now occupied by a different form of transportation, "a very popular [bike] trail to a very well-moneyed group of residents,"…

Can you hear that “well-moneyed group of residents” complain when there bike trails get reclaimed for the track?

At 46 years of age, I can say with near complete confidence that I’ll never see any of these rail service initiatives every come to fruition. I hate to be so cynical, but I just don’t see how anything like this can be done in today’s environment of federal oversight and special interest groups.

Thanks, Mark

I agree with you Mark. every once in a while the rumors resurface about restarting commuter service from Phila to Reading. one proposal was laying rail between the lanes of Route 422. sometimes I wonder who dreams up these goofy schemes. Butch Curll

The foamers area all chomping at the bit to say that this is a great idea. Problem is the costs are high and the ridership just won't be there. I do believe however, that a light rail line down the center of 422. that cruises past the cars stopped in traffic would attract riders.

Now if that money tree would just start producing.

The article mentioned, "...the rights of way that had hosted rail service between Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley decades ago... [now host a bike trail]"

Which line(s)?

I know the former Perkiomen Branch has been converted to a trail south of Pennsburg. Has something similar been done on the former Bethlehem line?

The Bethlehem line makes more sense for a passenger line because the population density is greater.

As one of the "well-moneyed..." (yeah! right! ) who rides a bike, I accept that many of these "rails-to-trails" are land banks for future transportation use and that they can revert at any time. I do not know what covenants are in place for the ex-Perkiomen line, but it would be worthwhile looking up. The same would be true for any trail along the former North Penn line to Bethlehem.

As JoannaBill mused, "Now if that money tree would just start producing."

WindsorSpring- The Bethlehem branch from the LV station in Bethlehem, going south towards Hellertown has been converted to a trail.Butch Curll

So both lines have been converted. That is interesting. I wonder what the agreements/covenants were, especially for the Bethlehem Branch; The land corridor may still be available for some transportation use.