Services
OATS plans to offer transportation services to the communities of Southern Chester County beginning in Fall 2008/Spring 2009 with the debut of the first Passenger Train to operate on the Pennsylvania Railroad's Octoraro Branch rail line in 61 years. Working closely with a number of municipal governments in the area, along with the owners of several Railroads (including a local Tourist Railroad operation), OATS is pleased to announce that Passenger Rail Service is returning to the Southern Chester County region of Southeastern Pennsylvania
- Excursions
Certain Weekend and scheduled holiday service. By reservation only. Themed excursions aimed at providing passengers with an opportunity to sample the various charms and attractions of Southern Chester County. Using vintage rolling-stock, which include heavyweight coaches, open-air cars, and observation/lounge cars, and powered by external combustion reciprocating steam locomotives, passengers will be given the experience of traveling through the region as our grandparents and great-grandparents once did at the beginning of the 20th century.
Heavy Rail Commuter Service
Daily and limited Weekend round trips along the US Route 1 Corridor of Southern Chester County. Phase 1 of our plan is to initially offer service between Nottingham, Pennsylvania, and Lincoln University, Pennsylvania. Phase 2 extends this service through Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, with multiple stops along the route. Finally, Phase 3 hopes to offer service between the points of Aberdeen/Perryville, Maryland, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania's 30th Street Station, thereby taking advantage of the connections with the National Rail Network at these locations. Using modern diesel-electric locomotive power and ADA-compliant bi-level coaches, each two-car train set will have a maximum capacity of 322 passengers, depending upon the seating configuration.
Bus Service
By working in partnership with several of the local providers of bus service to the region, OATS plans to provide commuters living in communities that are not currently rail-serviced, such as Quarryville, Cochranville, and Chatham, with connecting bus routes from these areas to commuter rail stations.
Contact info:
C. John Stevenson, Chairperson <c.john.stevenson@oatrains.org>; M. Walter Saranetz, Vice-Chair <m.walter.saranetz@oatrains.org>
Oxford Area Transit Services, 5 Mt. Vernon Street, Oxford Pennsylvania 19363 (610) 932-9670