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Much of the talk about a second daily Pennsylvanian has centered on what it will mean for people who live here. It will give local passengers more options for reaching Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and New York.
But those trains run both ways.
The schedule will tell us what is actually possible. If it gives passengers several hours in Lewistown before the return trip, tourism officials and local businesses should be ready to take advantage of it.
Some passengers may come here intentionally. Others may be looking for somewhere to get off, walk around and break up a longer trip. They may have heard about our rich local history, want to see the Historic Courthouse or be interested in Lewistown Station, considered the oldest depot still served by Amtrak.
The Juniata River Valley Visitors Bureau deserves credit for bringing people into the region and spreading the word about Goose Day. A tradition once known mostly by local residents now attracts attention far beyond Mifflin and Juniata counties.
The second train could help keep those visitors here longer and bring them back at other times of the year. History, restaurants, downtown shops, outdoor recreation and community events give the Visitors Bureau plenty to work with.
Even someone here for only an afternoon can spend money at a restaurant or locally owned business. One person will not change the local economy, but a steady stream of visitors might.
Only a few short years ago, a walk through downtown Lewistown revealed more locked doors and darkened windows than anyone wanted to see. Downtown is not without its challenges, but it has come a long way.
Businesses have closed, but others are opening in their place. Buildings have been restored. Owners have taken risks, and residents have made an effort to support them.
A number of local and state agencies, including the Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce have helped business owners find resources and work through the challenges that come with opening and operating a small business. Once the train schedule is available, the Chamber can help them identify when passengers are most likely to be in town.
No one expects every business to remain open from the first train until the last. But where it makes sense, adjusting hours to match likely visitor traffic could be worthwhile. Passengers who arrive to find locked doors will have little reason to return.
Getting them from the station to downtown is the most obvious problem.
Fortunately, some of that planning has already been done. Mifflin Moves, the county's active-transportation plan, identified the need for a safer connection between Lewistown Station and downtown. SEDA-COG's regional transportation plan also lists pedestrian access around the station and along connecting corridors as a priority.
The second train gives local officials a reason to move that work higher on the list.
At a minimum, visitors need clear signs and a marked walking route. A map, a QR code at the station and a few suggested itineraries could tell passengers where to eat, shop and visit before their return train arrives. For festivals and other busy travel days, officials could explore a shuttle or sponsored ride into town.
If the schedule does not allow for afternoon visits, the same effort can be aimed at overnight stays and trips built around local events.
Lewistown has more to offer than it did only a few years ago. When more trains begin stopping here, we should be ready to show people what has changed.