Parkesburg, PA (PAR)

Ticket Revenue

FY 2012

$523,826

Station Ridership

FY 2012

51,296

Note: Fiscal year is from
October through September.

The current stop in Parkesburg is a shelter on a platform, repainted about five years ago.

A station building was constructed in 1905, but it later ceased functioning as an active passenger station and was leased to the National Railroad Historical Society (NRHS) in an effort to preserve the building. The old Parkesburg freight house had been demolished and the local NRHS members did not want to see the same happen to the station, which was featured in the 1985 movie “Witness”.

About nine years ago, the chapter members raised $10,000 from the local business association and repaired the roof. In 2002, NRHS subleased the entire station property back to Amtrak for use as a project office in conjunction with the Keystone Corridor Improvement Project. The master lease and the sublease expired in June 2007 and the NRHS chapter accomplished its goal of saving the building and making some necessary improvements.

Amtrak has been engaged in conversation with the Parkesburg Borough Council about leasing the station to the Borough to serve as a center for new development.

Scottish-Irish settlers were the predominant community members in this area which predates the Revolutionary War. The area quickly grew in the 1800s and this growth attracted new industries. The railroad shops of the Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad were of particular note. This railroad went bankrupt in 1857 and the system was sold to the Pennsylvania Railroad. These same shops were first relocated to Harrisburg and then moved to Altoona.

In 1872, the Pennsylvania Legislature authorized the formation of the Parkesburg Borough. It remains a center for local and national industries.

Amtrak does not provide ticketing or baggage services at this facility, which is served by an average of 19 daily trains.

Amtrak’s Keystone Service is financed in part through funds made available by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.