The line runs from Conpit Junction, Pennsylvania (west of New Florence) northwest and southwest to Pittsburgh,[1] following the Conemaugh, Kiskiminetas, and Allegheny rivers, on the former main line of the Conemaugh Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR).

[12] All of the aforementioned lines became part of the PRR through leases and mergers, became Penn Central in 1968, and were taken over by Conrail in 1976.

Around 1950, a (then double-track) 16.94-mile (27.26 km) portion of the line was relocated to a higher elevation, as part of a flood control project on the Conemaugh River.

[17] This system (whose visual NORAC Rule 562), modified by Conrail to operate bidirectionally.

By 2020, the line received Positive Train Control and upgrades to the signaling system.