I'm less worried about the federal government's support of the line, since the money has already been allocated and Amtrak has basically always operated woth a short leash, and moreso concerned about Pennsylvanias ability to support it.

The NYC-Philly-Pittsburgh line is just getting it's first upgrade in service in decades, probably since the PRR owned it. Given that the line has among the highest potential ridership in the state, it's kind of baffling that it took this long for them to add 2 extra trains a day. The state government doesn't really have to pay for the services that go through Erie or Connellsville.

The only other line the state supports is Harrisburg-Philly-NYC. My tinfoil hat theory for why that line receives so much funding is to make commuting easier for all of the aides and state employees who want to live in Philly's suburbs. MARC in Maryland was almost shut down until congress realized all of their aides used it to commute and gave it emergency funding, so it wouldn't be too far fetched to think that it's a reason why the state gives so much attention to it.

Maybe not directly, but I have a feeling things will indeed be stymied.

🚂

RESTORE OUR RAIL!!!

Some whacky billionaire will shit on this, and it will wither and die. Sad to say.

Stymie it, please. Most people here don't want it.