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Penn Line
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Penn Line
A Penn Line train at Odenton station
Overview
OwnerMaryland Transit Administration
LocaleWashington, D.C., and Maryland suburbs east; Baltimore and suburbs northeast
Termini
Stations13
Service
TypeCommuter rail
SystemMARC Train
Train number(s)400–499, 502–579, 610–698
Operator(s)Amtrak (under contract)
Daily ridership24,267[1]
History
Opened1881
Technical
Line length77 mi (124 km)
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
ElectrificationOverhead line, 12 kV 25 Hz AC
Operating speed44 mph (71 km/h) (avg.)
125 mph (201 km/h) (top)
Route map
Map Penn Line highlighted in red
Legend
Wilmington/Newark Line to Temple University
Amtrak
 Newark (proposed)
Amtrak
DE
MD
 Elkton (proposed)
Perryville
Cecil Transit
Susquehanna River
 Aberdeen
Amtrak Harford Transit
Bush River
 Edgewood
Gunpowder River
 Martin State Airport
Martin State Airport
Route 59 (MTA Maryland LocalLink)
Back River
Union Tunnel
 Penn Station
Amtrak
B&P Tunnel
 West Baltimore
Maryland Transit Administration
Frederick Road
closed 1984
 Halethorpe
Route 77 (MTA Maryland)
Camden Line to Camden Station
Patapsco River
 BWI Airport
Baltimore–Washington International Airport
Amtrak BWI Rail Station#Public transit services
 Odenton
Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland
 Bowie State
Bowie
closed 1989
 Seabrook
Metrobus (Washington, D.C.)
Lanham
closed 1982
Capital Beltway
closed
 New Carrollton
AmtrakNew Carrollton station
Landover
closed 1982
MD
DC
Anacostia River
Camden Line
Brunswick Line
to Martinsburg or Frederick
 Union Station
Virginia Railway Express Amtrak Washington Union Station#Services
First Street Tunnel
 L'Enfant Virginia Railway Express (proposed)
Potomac River
Washington, D.C.
Virginia
 Crystal City Virginia Railway Express (proposed)
Alexandria Virginia Railway ExpressAmtrak (proposed)
Virginia Railway Express
Amtrak
This diagram:

The Penn Line is a MARC passenger rail service operating between Union Station in Washington, D.C., and Perryville, Maryland, along the far southern leg of the Northeast Corridor; most trains terminate at Baltimore's Penn Station. It is MARC's only electrified line, though a majority of trains remain diesel powered. With trains operating at speeds of up to 125 miles per hour (201 km/h), it is the fastest commuter rail line in the United States.[2] The service is operated by Amtrak under contract to the Maryland Transit Administration. MARC sets the schedules, owns most of the stations, and controls fares, while Amtrak owns and maintains the right-of-way, supplies employees to operate trains, and maintains the rolling stock. It is the busiest of MARC's three lines, with twice as many trains and riders as the Brunswick and Camden lines combined.

The Penn Line is the successor to commuter services between Washington and Baltimore provided by the Pennsylvania Railroad, Penn Central, and Conrail dating back as early as 1881. Additionally, Amtrak operated a commuter service named the Chesapeake from Washington to Suburban Station in Philadelphia between 1978 and 1983.[3]

In 1983, Maryland, along with a number of other Northeastern states, took control of its commuter railroads. Amtrak, which had acquired the right-of-way from Penn Central, took over operation of the former Pennsylvania Railroad commuter line, which was rebranded as AMDOT (Amtrak/Maryland Department of Transportation).[4] The Amtrak Chesapeake was discontinued later in 1983 due to low ridership and redundancy with AMDOT; a year later, all commuter rail service in Maryland was merged under the MARC brand.

With frequent MARC and Amtrak service, the Washington-Baltimore section of the Northeast Corridor is one of the busiest rail lines in the United States.

Rolling stock

[edit]
See also: MARC Train § Rolling stock
Electric MARC HHP-8 at Odenton station.

The Penn Line uses diesel as well as electric locomotives for powering trains. Most electric and rush hour diesel trains are 6-8 cars long, and are primarily made up of Kawasaki bi-levels. During the day, shorter 4-6 car MultiLevels or single level diesel trains from the Brunswick and Camden lines are used on the Penn Line. For the spring and summer months, weekend Penn Line trains also include a single-level Bike Car that is specially equipped to accommodate bicyclists.[5]

All trains are operated in push-pull configuration, with the cab-car end facing towards Washington.

All of the stations from Washington Union Station up to Penn Station, with the exception of West Baltimore, have high-level platforms, while all of the subsequent stations up to Perryville have low-level platforms.

Service

[edit]

MARC runs 58 Penn Line trains during a normal weekday. A majority of these trains (29 each day) operate along a 39 mi (63 km) stretch between Union Station in Washington and Penn Station in Baltimore. An additional five trains run between Union Station and Martin State Airport in Middle River, Maryland, while eleven trains run along the entire 77 mi (124 km) corridor between Union Station and Perryville. A single morning train and a single evening train run between Perryville and Penn Station, and a single early morning train runs from Martin State Airport to Penn Station.[6] Unlike MARC's other two lines, the Penn Line operates all throughout the day and well into the night rather than solely during peak hours.

On December 7, 2013, the Penn Line also began offering limited weekend service.[7] Penn Line weekend service consists of 9 round trips on Saturday and 6 round trips on Sunday—primarily between Penn Station and Union Station. Several trains extend service to Martin State Airport, and all trains skip Seabrook.[5]

Beginning on December 13, 2014, a separate Bike Car was added to some weekend Penn Line trains.[8] Bike Cars are reconditioned Sumitomo/Nippon Sharyo MARC IIA single-level commuter railcars. One side of each car's interior is lined with bicycle racks which are arranged to secure 23 full-sized, non-collapsible bicycles, and the other side provides seating for 40 passengers.[9] The Bike Car program was expanded during 2015 to include all weekend trains.[9] There is no extra charge for using the Bike Car, which is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Beginning in 2016, MARC began installing bike racks on its bi-level train cars and some of its single-level cars. Weekday service was intended to begin in summer 2018, however, this was delayed several times. Eventually, 35 Penn Line railcars had full-sized bicycle racks installed, and weekday use of the bike racks on the MARC Penn line officially began on January 21, 2019.[10] These railcars are available on most weekday rush-hour Penn Line trains and on all weekend trains. As with the former Bike Cars, these services are first-come, first served with no additional charge, and the bicyclist must make sure to be able to access the platform of the station they desire.

Amtrak's Acela, Northeast Regional, and other long-distance trains share tracks along the whole of the Penn Line. Washington Union and Baltimore Penn are the second and eighth busiest Amtrak stations in the country, respectively. Amtrak connections are also available at Aberdeen, BWI Airport, and New Carrollton. MARC passengers with monthly and weekly tickets can ride select Amtrak Northeast Regional trains during the week only, as part of their cross-honoring agreement.[6] Connections are also available to the Washington Metro's Orange and Silver Lines at New Carrollton, Red Line at Washington Union Station, and to the Baltimore Light RailLink at Baltimore Penn Station, though this line has been closed since 2020 due to renovation work at Penn Station.[6]

The MTA has plans to extend the Penn Line to Newark station in Delaware via a revived Elkton station to connect with the Wilmington/Newark Line of SEPTA, or even further north to 30th Street Station in Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania Railroad's commuter route had run to Philadelphia until the early 1960s.

The MTA currently funds a local bus connection between Newark and Baltimore, with a transfer at Elkton.[11] In 2020, Delaware State Representative Edward Osienski and State Senator Stephanie Hansen cosponsored a resolution to the Delaware General Assembly that would add commuter rail service between Newark and Perryville, involving an extension of MARC service to connect with SEPTA at Newark. This resolution will be introduced into the Delaware General Assembly in 2021.[12][needs update]

Longer-term plans include construction of new track and extending the line past Washington Union Station to L'Enfant Plaza station in Washington and from there into northern Virginia.[11] The Purple Line light rail system (slated to open in 2027) will connect to all three MARC lines; the transfer to the Penn Line will be at New Carrollton.[13]

Stations

[edit]

The following stations are served by Penn Line trains; not all trains stop at all stations.

State Town/City Miles (km) from Union Station Station Connections
DC Washington 0.0 mi (0 km) Union Station Amtrak Amtrak: Acela, Cardinal, Carolinian, Crescent, Floridian, Northeast Regional, Palmetto, Silver Meteor, Vermonter, Amtrak Thruway to Charlottesville
MARC: ■ Brunswick Line, ■ Camden Line
Virginia Railway Express VRE: ■ Fredericksburg Line, ■ Manassas Line
Metrorail: Red Line
DC Streetcar: H Street/Benning Road Line
Bus interchange Metrobus, MTA Maryland, Loudoun County Transit, OmniRide
Bus interchange Intercity bus: Greyhound Lines Greyhound, Megabus (North America) Megabus, BoltBus, BestBus, Peter Pan, OurBus
MD New Carrollton 8.7 mi (14 km) New Carrollton Amtrak Amtrak: Northeast Regional, Palmetto, Vermonter
Metrorail: Orange Line, Silver Line
Bus interchange Metrobus, TheBus
Seabrook 11 mi (17.7 km) Seabrook
Bowie 16.3 mi (26.2 km) Bowie State
Odenton 22.1 mi (35.5 km) Odenton Bus interchange Anne Arundel County Bus
Hanover 29.4 mi (47.3 km) BWI Airport Amtrak Amtrak: Acela, Crescent, Northeast Regional, Palmetto, Vermonter
Bus interchange Shuttle to Airport interchange Baltimore/Washington International Airport
Bus interchange MTA Maryland, UMBC Transit
Halethorpe 32.4 mi (52.1 km) Halethorpe MTA Maryland bus routes MTA Maryland, UMBC Transit
Baltimore 37.2 mi (59.8 km) West Baltimore MTA Maryland bus routes MTA Maryland
40 mi (64.6 km) Penn Station Amtrak Amtrak: Acela, Cardinal, Carolinian, Crescent, Northeast Regional, Palmetto, Silver Meteor, Vermonter
Baltimore Light RailLink
Bus interchange MTA Maryland, Charm City Circulator
Middle River 51.7 mi (83.2 km) Martin State Airport Martin State Airport Martin State Airport
MTA Maryland bus routes MTA Maryland
Edgewood 60.6 mi (97.5 km) Edgewood
Aberdeen 70.2 mi (113 km) Aberdeen Amtrak Amtrak: Northeast Regional
Hartford Transit Harford Transit
Perryville 76.2 mi (122.6 km) Perryville Cecil Transit Cecil Transit

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Penn Line

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Penn Line is a commuter rail service within the MARC (Maryland Area Rail Commuter) system, operated by the Maryland Transit Administration, that provides regional passenger transportation along a 77-mile (124 km) route from Perryville in Harford County, Maryland, to Union Station in Washington, D.C., serving 13 stations primarily on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor. The line traces its origins to the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad, chartered in 1853 and completed in 1872 as an alternative route connecting Baltimore to Washington, D.C., which was later acquired by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1902 and integrated into its network. Commuter operations on this corridor were initially managed by the Pennsylvania Railroad and continued under Penn Central and Conrail until 1983, when the state of Maryland assumed responsibility through the newly formed MARC service. The route was extended northward to Perryville in 1991 to enhance connectivity for Harford County commuters, and weekend service was introduced in 2013, marking a significant expansion in frequency. Today, the Penn Line is the busiest and only fully electrified component of the MARC network, with electric locomotives enabling maximum speeds of up to 125 mph (201 km/h) on key segments, making it the fastest commuter rail service in the United States. Key stations include Perryville, Aberdeen, Edgewood, Martin State Airport, , West Baltimore, Halethorpe, BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, Odenton, Bowie State, Seabrook, New Carrollton, and , with most offering parking, ADA accessibility, and connections to local bus and services. The service operates up to 57 weekday trains in each direction, accommodating bicycles and providing seamless integration with intercity routes and the . Recent investments, including federal funding for infrastructure upgrades, aim to increase capacity and reliability amid growing ridership, which has risen over 50% in 2025 on the .

History

Origins and Early Development

The (PRR) expanded southward by leasing the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad (PW&B) in , gaining full control over the corridor linking to . This lease solidified the PRR's dominance in the New York-to-Washington route, enabling seamless through-service along what would become known as the Penn Line. Prior to this, the PRR had already secured influence over the and Potomac Railroad, which it effectively controlled after purchasing its charter in the late 1860s. In 1902, the PRR formed the Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington Railroad by merging the PW&B and the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad, unifying the route from to Washington. Key construction milestones shaped the line's early infrastructure, including the opening of the Baltimore-to-Washington segment on July 2, 1872, which broke the 's monopoly on the capital connection. The , stretching 1.4 miles (7,500 ft) under Baltimore's streets including Howard and Camden, was completed on June 29, 1873, allowing direct rail access from to , bypassing earlier circuitous routes. These developments completed the continuous -to-Washington mainline between 1872 and 1902, transforming the route into a high-volume artery for both freight and passengers. Early electrification efforts on the line began as experimental upgrades in the but accelerated in the and to address growing urban commuter demands and operational efficiency. The PRR installed 11 kV 25 Hz overhead systems, starting with extensions from to Wilmington in the late , followed by completion of the Wilmington-to-Washington segment in 1935, which fully electrified the Penn Line's core infrastructure. These upgrades, utilizing advanced mercury-arc rectifiers for power conversion, reduced dependency and boosted train speeds to over 100 mph on select runs, setting a standard for American rail . World War II dramatically increased traffic on the Penn Line, with PRR passenger volumes quadrupling from 1939 to 1944 due to troop movements, wartime industry, and fuel rationing that favored rail over automobiles. However, post-war shifts toward automobiles and highways led to a sharp decline in passenger service; by the , non-commuter rail ridership had plummeted over 80% from peak levels, straining the PRR's finances amid rising maintenance costs for aging infrastructure. This era of contraction culminated in the 1978 launch of Amtrak's Chesapeake service, a short-lived commuter train from to Washington that served as a precursor to regional operations. In the , the line transitioned to state-operated service to sustain commuter viability.

Establishment as MARC Service

Following the bankruptcies of the Penn Central Railroad in 1970 and its successor 's struggles with unprofitable commuter services, the Northeast Rail Service Act of 1981 enabled to divest its passenger operations by January 1, 1983. In response, the Maryland Department of Transportation () assumed control of the Baltimore–Washington commuter rail service that year, subsidizing operations previously run by since 1976. Initial service operated between and . This state takeover marked a pivotal shift from private freight-focused rail companies to public management, ensuring continuity of service on the historic route originally developed in the . On May 1, 1991, service was extended northward to Perryville, adding stops at , Edgewood, and Martin State Airport to better serve Harford County commuters. The official branding of the service as MARC (Maryland Area Rail Commuter) occurred in 1984, with the Penn Line designated as its flagship route due to its high-demand alignment along the electrified . That same year, entered into a with to operate the service, leveraging Amtrak's ownership and maintenance of the infrastructure for shared use between commuter and intercity trains. This partnership allowed MARC to benefit from existing high-speed tracks while Amtrak handled day-to-day operations, a model that persists today. Early ridership on the Penn Line showed rapid growth, starting from a few thousand daily passengers in 1984 and surpassing 20,000 daily riders by the , reflecting increased commuting between , , and intermediate points. Key modernization efforts in this period included the introduction of bi-level passenger cars from Kawasaki Rail Car, Inc., beginning in 2000–2001, which doubled capacity to accommodate rising demand. Further enhancements came in 2001 with the deployment of HHP-8 electric locomotives built by Bombardier-Alstom, enabling speeds up to 125 mph on the Penn Line and improving overall efficiency.

Route Description

Overview and Alignment

The Penn Line is a commuter rail service of the Maryland Transit Administration's MARC system, running 77 miles from Union Station in Washington, D.C., to Perryville, Maryland. The route follows a north-south alignment primarily along the electrified Northeast Corridor, a major rail artery owned and maintained by Amtrak. This shared infrastructure accommodates both MARC's regional commuter trains and Amtrak's high-speed intercity services, including Acela Express and Northeast Regional routes, enabling efficient use of the corridor while requiring coordinated scheduling to manage track capacity. The line's major segments include a 39-mile stretch from Washington, D.C., to , , which forms the core of daily commuter traffic, and a 36-mile extension from Baltimore northward to Perryville. These segments traverse urban, suburban, and semi-rural landscapes, crossing the near Washington and the north of Baltimore, with the route featuring a mix of high-speed sections and slower approaches through densely populated areas. Perryville has served as the northern terminus of the Penn Line since its extension on May 1, 1991, when service was added from with intermediate stops at , Edgewood, and Martin State Airport. Prior to the establishment of MARC in 1984, historical extensions along this corridor reached , but these were discontinued in 1982 following the cessation of 's subsidized passenger operations under the Northeast Rail Service Act. The Penn Line remains the busiest of MARC's three routes, accounting for the majority of the system's ridership; total MARC weekday ridership was approximately 19,300 as of the second quarter of 2025.

Infrastructure and Electrification

The Penn Line operates on fully electrified trackage owned by along the entire 77-mile route from to Perryville, utilizing overhead that supplies 11 kV at 25 Hz , shared with 's infrastructure. This enables operation along the route, though MARC trains north of primarily use diesel power due to fleet and operational constraints rather than infrastructure limitations. As the only MARC line with complete between its terminal stations, the Penn Line supports efficient, high-capacity commuter service distinct from the diesel-only Camden and Brunswick lines. Electrified sections allow trains to reach maximum speeds of up to 125 mph, positioning the Penn Line as the fastest service in the United States and enabling end-to-end travel times as low as 90 minutes during peak periods. The line shares the NEC's multi-track configuration, including high-speed curves and bridges optimized for passenger operations, with maintaining responsibility for track, , and signal infrastructure under operational access agreements with the (MTA). Key features include the implementation of (PTC) since 2015, which enhances safety by automatically enforcing speed limits, preventing collisions, and protecting work zones across the shared right-of-way. A notable engineering element is the Bush River Bridge in Harford County, a 110-year-old movable span crossing the Bush River that carries Penn Line trains as well as intercity services and freight; ongoing federal funding supports its replacement with a modern, fixed high-level structure to improve reliability and capacity. 's maintenance contract ensures regular inspections and upgrades to the , signals, and tracks, minimizing disruptions to MARC operations while accommodating the line's high-speed demands. Recent MARC Growth Plans include potential expansions to enhance electric operations on the Penn Line.

Operations

Weekday Service Patterns

The Penn Line provides approximately 30 trains in each direction on weekdays (totaling about 60 one-way trips), with most operating between and Perryville, and some terminating at . These operations emphasize commuter travel, with inbound morning trains focusing on southward flows toward Washington and outbound evening trains directed toward and beyond. As of May 2025, service begins as early as 4:25 a.m. from Perryville and concludes around 11:00 p.m. from Washington, accommodating typical work schedules. Peak-hour service intensifies during morning (approximately 6:00–9:00 a.m.) and evening (4:00–7:00 p.m.) rush periods, offering trains every 15 to 30 minutes along the core corridor. Express options are available on select peak trains, bypassing intermediate stops such as Odenton or BWI Airport to expedite journeys for time-sensitive commuters. Off-peak intervals feature more spaced service, typically every 30 to , maintaining connectivity without the high-frequency demands of rush hours. End-to-end run times average 75 to 90 minutes for Perryville to Washington; trips from to Washington generally take about 45 to 60 minutes, while the Perryville extension adds approximately 30 minutes. Recent schedule adjustments in January and May 2025 accounted for trackwork, with minor changes to some stops and departures. Fares follow a zone-based structure, with one-way tickets priced from $6 for short intra-zone trips to $13 for the full journey from Perryville to Washington. Pre-COVID peaks saw approximately 25,000 daily passengers on the Penn Line, reflecting its role as the system's busiest route; ridership dipped significantly during the but showed partial recovery in 2023–2024, with 2024 figures reaching about 80% of pre-pandemic levels amid broader system growth of 23% year-over-year into 2025.

Weekend and Special Services

Weekend service on the Penn Line was introduced on December 7, 2013, providing nine round trips on Saturdays and six on Sundays between and , supplementing Amtrak's regional offerings. This marked the first weekend operations for MARC on the line, aimed at supporting leisure travel and events. As of May 2025, weekend schedules feature reduced frequencies compared to weekdays, with approximately hourly service on Saturdays (9 round trips) and every 2-3 hours on Sundays (6 round trips), starting later in the morning—typically 7:10 a.m. southbound and 8:55 a.m. northbound on Saturdays, and 8:30 a.m. southbound and 10:25 a.m. northbound on Sundays. These patterns cater to off-peak demand, contrasting with weekday rush-hour service every 30 minutes during peaks. Holiday adjustments include no service on Memorial Day or Labor Day, a Saturday schedule on July 4, and an "R" reduced schedule on observances like Juneteenth and Columbus Day. Special services leverage weekend trains for events, such as Baltimore Orioles home games at Camden Yards, where passengers can connect from Penn Station via the Penn-Camden shuttle to reach the stadium. No dedicated extra event trains are operated, but the existing schedule accommodates game-day crowds. To enhance accessibility for cyclists, dedicated Bike Cars with racks for up to 16 full-size bicycles were added to select weekend Penn Line trains starting December 13, 2014. This program expanded over time, with bike accommodations now available on all MARC trains, including weekends, following installations on rush-hour services in early 2019. The led to temporary suspension of weekend service in March 2020 due to sharply reduced ridership, with operations limited to essential weekday peaks. Gradual restoration began in July 2020 under Stage 2 recovery guidelines, achieving full weekend schedules by 2022 as demand rebounded.

Stations

Washington and Prince George's County Stations

The Penn Line's southern terminus is at Union Station in , located at milepost 0 along the . This facility functions as a major intermodal transportation hub, integrating MARC service with intercity trains on the and routes, the Washington Metro's Red Line, and (VRE) commuter rail lines. Daily MARC ridership at Union Station exceeds 10,000 passengers on weekdays, reflecting its central role in regional commuting patterns. The next station northward is New Carrollton at milepost 8.7 in Prince George's County, Maryland, which opened for MARC service on October 30, 1983, as the system's first infill station between existing stops. This park-and-ride facility features a WMATA-operated garage with 3,400 paid parking spaces, supporting commuters from suburban areas. New Carrollton will also connect to the Purple Line light rail upon its opening in late 2027, enhancing multimodal access across Montgomery and Prince George's counties. The following stations are Seabrook at milepost approximately 12 in Lanham, Prince George's County, with 264 parking spaces and ADA accessibility, connecting to WMATA bus route P20. Further north, Bowie State at milepost approximately 16 in Bowie, Prince George's County, offers 675 parking spaces, ADA compliance, and connections to WMATA P24 and Prince George's County P71 buses. These stations serve suburban commuters in Prince George's County. All stations along the Washington and Prince George's County portion of the Penn Line have been upgraded for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, including accessible platforms, elevators, and parking, with major improvements completed in phases through the early 2010s.

Baltimore and Harford County Stations

The stations along the MARC Penn Line in Baltimore and surrounding counties serve as vital links for commuters traveling to and from the , with acting as the primary hub for intercity and regional connections. These facilities, located primarily in City, County, Anne Arundel County, and Harford County, accommodate a mix of urban, suburban, and rural riders, emphasizing accessibility and integration with local transit networks. Baltimore Penn Station, situated at milepost 40 from Washington Union Station, is the second-busiest station on the MARC system and a major intermodal hub handling over three million Amtrak and MARC passengers annually. The station offers 550 parking spaces and full ADA accessibility, with operating hours from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily, though MARC patrons may undergo Amtrak security screening. It provides seamless connections to the Charm City Circulator bus system for local travel within Baltimore, while the adjacent Light RailLink service, which had been closed for renovations since 2019, reopened on June 15, 2025, restoring direct light rail access to downtown and other regional points. Further south in the Baltimore area, Odenton station at milepost approximately 20 serves suburban commuters with 1,977 parking spaces and ADA compliance, connecting to Anne Arundel County RTA buses (routes 202, 203, and 504) for local distribution. BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport station, an intermodal facility at milepost 28 with 3,200 parking spaces, facilitates air-rail transfers via dedicated shuttles to airport terminals and integrates with Amtrak and MTA services, operating under similar daily hours and security protocols as Baltimore Penn. Martin State Airport station, a smaller halt at milepost 32 in Baltimore County, features 320 parking spaces and links to MTA LocalLink 59 and Express Bus 160, supporting limited rush-hour service for airport and nearby industrial access. North of Baltimore Penn Station, Halethorpe station in Baltimore County at milepost approximately 42 provides 770 parking spaces and ADA accessibility, with connections to MTA CityLink Yellow bus. West Baltimore station at milepost approximately 45 in Baltimore City offers 327 parking spaces and ticket kiosk services, serving urban commuters. In Harford County, Aberdeen station at milepost 65.5 caters to military personnel and local workers, particularly those affiliated with the nearby Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), a major U.S. Army installation that drives significant ridership through its proximity and connections via Harford Transit. The facility includes 189 parking spaces, ADA accessibility, and weekday-only operations from 4:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Adjacent Edgewood station at milepost 68 offers 295 parking spaces and connections to Harford Transit Link routes 2 and 7, also benefiting from APG-related demand with similar weekday hours, underscoring the line's role in supporting defense sector commuting. Perryville station, the northern terminus of the Penn Line at milepost 76.2 in adjacent Cecil County but serving Harford-area extensions, provides 135 parking spaces and ADA access, with connections to Cecil Transit for regional bus service and weekday hours extending into evenings. Historically significant as a former (PRR) junction point, the station building now houses the Perryville Railroad Museum, preserving exhibits on local rail heritage dating back to the . These northern stations reflect the line's evolution from freight-dominated routes to commuter-focused infrastructure, with Baltimore-bound trips comprising a substantial portion of overall Penn Line ridership.

Rolling Stock

Locomotives and Control Cars

The Penn Line employs electric locomotives for its electrified segment between Washington, D.C., and , where overhead supplies power at 25 kV 60 Hz AC, ensuring compatibility with the (NEC) infrastructure. The fleet includes six Bombardier-Alstom HHP-8 (High Horsepower 8000) units, introduced in 2001 and numbered 4910–4915, each producing 8,000 horsepower through four three-phase AC traction motors and capable of a top speed of 125 mph. These locomotives feature systems that recover energy during deceleration, returning up to 30% of braking power to the , which enhances efficiency on the high-density NEC route. For the non-electrified northern extension beyond to Perryville, diesel locomotives shared across MARC services provide motive power. The primary units are 26 SC-44 Charger diesel-electric locomotives, delivered starting in 2018 as replacements for older EMD models, each equipped with a 4,200-horsepower QSK95 engine compliant with EPA Tier 4 emissions standards and designed for speeds up to 125 mph. These locomotives support bi-level passenger cars and integrate with for safe operations on mixed freight and passenger corridors. MARC trains on the Penn Line operate in push-pull configuration, with cab control cars at the opposite end from the to facilitate bi-directional running without the need to turn at terminals. The control cars, including models from Sumitomo and older Budd-built units, house engineer's cabs with full locomotive controls connected via multiple-unit trainline wiring, allowing the train to be operated from either end efficiently. Maintenance for the locomotives and control cars is performed primarily at Amtrak's Wilmington Shops in under a long-term contract with the , where heavy overhauls, electrical system upgrades, and inspections ensure reliability. Following fleet upgrades completed around 2020, including refurbishments to the HHP-8 units and integration of the new Chargers, the average age of the motive power fleet remains under 20 years, supporting increased service frequencies and ridership growth. As of 2025, the plans to acquire 8 new electric locomotives for the Penn Line as part of fleet recapitalization in the FY2026-2030 period under the MARC Growth and Transformation Plan.

Passenger Cars and Configurations

The Penn Line employs a fleet of bi-level and single-level passenger cars designed to optimize capacity and comfort on its electrified and diesel segments. Bi-level cars, including approximately 100 Kawasaki models introduced in , serve the high-demand Washington–Baltimore corridor, offering 162 seated passengers per car and including designated quiet cars to minimize noise for focused travel. These cars feature construction and (HVAC) systems for reliable climate control. Single-level cars, comprising legacy Bombardier and Budd models with capacities of 70–100 each, are primarily deployed north of on diesel-powered services to handle lower-volume routes while maintaining compatibility with non-electrified . configurations typically consist of 6–8 cars during peak hours to accommodate rush-hour demand, resulting in average lengths of 500–700 feet. To support multimodal , 11 dedicated bike cars were rolled out between and , each providing 20–40 spaces for full-size bicycles alongside reduced seating. Passenger amenities across the fleet include onboard vending for snacks and beverages, accessible restrooms in select cars, and free access implemented since to enhance connectivity during journeys.

Future Plans

Proposed Extensions

The proposed northern extension of the Penn Line aims to extend service from its current terminus at Perryville, Maryland, northward into Delaware, reaching Newark and potentially Wilmington, adding approximately 15 miles of route and two new stations at Elkton, Maryland, and Newark, Delaware. This project has been under study since the 2010s, with initial feasibility assessments exploring infrastructure needs and ridership potential along the Northeast Corridor. In 2021, Delaware lawmakers planned to introduce a resolution supporting the extension, contingent on securing funding and completing station upgrades in Newark, though implementation remains pending. Historical commuter rail service to Wilmington, Delaware, along this corridor was discontinued in the early 1980s amid broader shifts in operations, but recent proposals seek its revival through inter-state funding agreements between and . The extension would leverage existing tracks, requiring minimal new infrastructure like platform enhancements and layover facilities, with environmental reviews for the initial segments completed around 2020 as part of broader planning. Southern extensions propose long-term integration with (VRE) services, potentially linking the Penn Line southward to and in to improve cross-jurisdictional connectivity without altering core routes. Though the full MARC Growth and Transformation Plan encompassing all extensions totals $13.7 billion over 25 years. As of 2025, feasibility studies for these extensions continue under the Transit Administration's Growth and Transformation Plan, with pilot programs proposed for limited service to Wilmington and , but no construction has begun due to ongoing funding negotiations and coordination with and neighboring states. These efforts tie briefly into broader regional projects, such as enhanced connections at Newark.

Integration with Regional Projects

The Purple Line project in , scheduled to open in late 2027, will connect Bethesda to New Carrollton, providing direct integration with the MARC Penn Line at the New Carrollton station, a key shared facility for both MARC and services. This linkage is expected to enhance regional connectivity by facilitating seamless transfers between and , supporting broader access to Washington, D.C., employment centers and contributing to increased transit ridership along the Penn Line corridor through improved multimodal options. In the Baltimore area, (TOD) initiatives around Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) Thurgood Marshall Airport and are advancing to promote denser, mixed-use communities adjacent to Penn Line stations. The Department of Transportation's Penn Line TOD Strategy, released in October 2024, identifies opportunities for over 2,600 new housing units and significant economic benefits, including up to 546,000 annual MARC trips, while addressing needs for mixed-use rezoning at sites like BWI to overcome current low-density and industrial constraints. As of November 2025, the Department of Transportation selected developers for the Odenton TOD project, marking the first phase of implementing the strategy. These efforts build on 2024 planning approvals and collaborations to integrate TOD with Penn Line expansions, fostering ridership growth and reducing regional . Under the Northeast Corridor Commission's CONNECT NEC 2035 plan, Amtrak's high-speed rail upgrades, including track expansions, signaling improvements, and replacements like the Baltimore & Potomac Tunnel, will share infrastructure with the MARC Penn Line to boost overall capacity by up to 33% in intercity service and double commuter frequencies in key segments by 2035. These enhancements, such as the Washington-Baltimore high-capacity signal project and Bridge upgrades, aim to support higher speeds over 150 mph on shared tracks while minimizing disruptions to MARC operations, enabling more reliable service between and . Cross-state collaborations led by the Maryland Department of Transportation () and Maryland Transit Administration () with New Jersey Transit and Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority () explore through-service potential on the Penn Line, building on studies for extensions toward and integrated ticketing options at shared NEC hubs. Recent MTA growth plans emphasize these partnerships to enable seamless regional travel, such as MARC connections to SEPTA via Perryville or Newark, DE, enhancing the Penn Line's role in a broader mid-Atlantic commuter network. A key recent update is the reopening of the Baltimore Light RailLink's north branch to on June 15, 2025, after a closure for renovations since 2019, which restores direct transfers to Penn Line trains and services at this major hub. This resumption improves intermodal access for riders, aligning with ongoing station upgrades to handle increased demand and support efficient connections within Baltimore's transit system.

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