The Commonwealth Beat with Laura LeBeau
The Commonwealth Beat with Laura LeBeau is a statewide Public Affairs program airing on all of the Seven Mountains Media Pennsylvania radio stations.
The Commonwealth Beat with Laura LeBeau
The Commonwealth Beat with Laura LeBeau - Episode 126 - 08/16/2026
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It seems like trains are having a moment in America these days, and a very well-funded startup rail company is hoping to capitalize on that moment. On this edition of The Commonwealth Beat, a look at a bold proposal from Ameristar Rail, based out of Wilmington, Delaware. The company is pitching a public-private partnership to overhaul Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor in a way that's never been tried, while giving Americans the chance to travel at 160 miles per hour in modern, high speed trains that expand corridor service by 35%, require no government subsidies or tax breaks, and would make Amtrak profitable for the first time, ever. Scott Spencer, CEO of Ameristar Rail, discusses his background and the company's proposal, in detail.