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Hi all, I'm back from my quick trip to Harrisburg via NYC. Made it back just in time before the blizzard got too bad. A crazy blizzard, coming so soon afer 70+ temps! I had planned a stop in Trenton on my return trip but had to save that for another time because of the weather--it's the second time I had to forego Trenton due to snow, so I guess I had better schedule any trip there in July.
It's only the third time I've been on this Amtrak route west of Philadelphia, and I enjoyed the train trip. Lots of attractive suburbs on the main line, then the sudden shift to farm country in Lancaster County. Toward the end, we rode along what I think was the Susquehanna already, or one of its tributaries, and passed Three Mile Island.
I also very much enjoyed seeing the capitol in Harrisburg, an impressive complex, and quite ornate building. The Victorian buildings nearby were also attractive, as was walking on the Susquehanna, by the rail bridge and others, inc pedestrian bridge over to City Island. Lunched in a converted firehouse; food not great but it was a neat building inside, with interesting decor.
My Keystone Service train was nearly empty westbound and none too crowded eastbound either, even though I caught an early train (probably the looming blizzard had something to do with the latter); both times I had no trouble changing seats so that I could sit facing forward and still have a seat alone by a window (the trains change direction in Philadelphia).
At NYC's Penn Station, things were pretty hectic, however, what with all the flight cancellations at NY-area airports. In fact, an announcement indicated that the ACELAs were booked solid all day--no seats till 6PM. My Empire Service was busier than the Keystone but nothing like those ACELAs; heading upstate was a pretty ride, what with all the snow. Leaving the train station by car was the only real problem we had, a little slippery on the roads because of ice under the snow. I was glad to be home before it got worse!
palmland Member # 4344
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Glad you had a good trip Sojourner. I think the Lancaster is particularly nice, especially around Strasburg and the Amish area (but not on the touristy main drag, US 30).
I understand plans are progressing for a new Amtrak stop at Leaman Place, aka Paradise. This is where the Strasburg RR makes the turn on its trip. Beautiful farms and thankfully the Amish are able to keep the developers at bay. Since Amtrak and Strasburg will both use the station, you should be able to make the trip there. Well worth it. As the conductor on Strasburg says: 'All change at Paradise for connections beyond'.
delvyrails Member # 4205
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Glad you mentioned Leaman place station, Palmland. Expert barn-raisers as they are, over twenty years ago, people there offered to build a station for Amtrak, but the offer was not accepted then.
palmland Member # 4344
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delvyrails - better late than never I guess. Last time we were there they have big expansion plans including a full line hobby store in a new building, installing the turntable they have on site (both this year) and later building the roundhouse plus other new buildings for shops, restaurants etc. The hold up on Leaman place has been the government insistence that the entire platform be high level rather than just a portion to meet ADA requirements.
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