(The following story by Russ O’Reilly appeared on The Tribune-Democrat website on August 15, 2010.)
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — The Somerset County “Rails to Trails” association established a bike path on abandoned railroad tracks in Rockwood in 2006.
But the meaning of the agency’s name is coming full circle as trains may be cycling in again to accommodate bike riders.
Cyclists would be able to take a train equipped with bike racks to the Rockwood section of the Great Allegheny Passage if feasibility study results support Amtrak and Somerset leaders’ enthusiasm for the project.
The Rockwood trail is a section of the 150-mile Great Allegheny Passage that stretches from Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C. Amtrak has planned to establish stops in other towns along the bike trail, and Somerset leaders are thrilled to see Amtrak officials are now slowing to a stop in Rockwood.
“It’s exciting that Amtrak is in favor of a Rockwood station,” said Somerset Commissioner James Marker.
The results of an Amtrak profit-and-loss analysis confirmed ridership from cyclists could be lucrative.
However, a $60,000 feasibility study requested by Amtrak must be completed to determine whether a Rockwood station is, in fact, a viable project for the county long-term.
The study is to determine the best location for the station, which may not be a building with waiting rooms and bathrooms. Instead, it may just be a bus-stop type platform – depending on the land and funds available.
The study results will also indicate the best option for ongoing funding.
Marker said the commissioners applied for a $40,000 state Department of Transportation grant to defray the cost of the study.
The grant is to be issued in September.
Meanwhile, local organizations have invested $25,000 toward the cost of the study: The Somerset “Rails to Trails” Association invested $5,000 and The Community Foundation of the Alleghenies contributed $20,000.
“We think the project is the next step in growth for the Great Allegheny Passage as an economic development asset to the county and the region,” said Michael Kane, Allegheny community foundation president.
A group of Somerset leaders sharing that sentiment, which “Rails to Trails” President Hank Parke calls “just a group of people interested in seeing a train station for the region,” includes members of the county commissioners, chamber of commerce and the “Rails-to-Trails” association.
“The train station would be a major boon for business,” said Ron Aldom, executive director for the Somerset Chamber of Commerce.
Amtrak trains rush through Rockwood twice each day – as they have for the past 40 years – as they course the “Capitol Limited” route.
A Rockwood stop would make the Great Allegheny Passage accessible to Capitol Limited riders from cities including Chicago, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C.
A train would draw tourists to other venues near Somerset as well, train station advocates say.
“At first the idea was about attracting bicyclists, but we anticipate train riders to visit the Flight 93 Memorial when it is unveiled next year,” Aldom said.
Project leaders have also considered a ski train for Seven Springs and Hidden Valley resorts.
The resorts may even be willing to contribute to the station’s long-term funding if it sees more skiers spill out of the trains and onto the slopes, said Aldom.
Amtrak spokeswoman Karina Romero said that depending on the ridership numbers, Amtrak could also have a stake in long-term funding.
Approximately 156,000 riders used traveled Amtrak’s “Capitol Limited” route from October through June – a 1 percent increase from last year, said Romero.
Other options for long-term station operation include utilizing “Trail ambassadors” or specially trained volunteers from organizations like “Rails-to-Trails” interested in maintaining the station.
“But there is no clear cut answer until the feasibility study is done,” Aldom said.
However, Aldom and the other leaders in the Somerset region are certain that the region’s travelers, and especially senior travelers, would greatly benefit from Amtrak’s “Capitol Limited” route, which provides transportation to Washington, D.C.
“People want more relaxation when they travel – especially bikers who want to take a multiple-day trip along the Allegheny trails,” Aldom said. “We believe if we give them transportation options that are more relaxing than automobile driving they will take advantage of it.”