Hi.I just read that Amtrak should have a station built in Paradise by this time next year,and that there is going to be a turntable in Paradise for the Strasburg Railroad to turn their engines around. My question is I heard rumors of new roundhouse and turnable at the railroad itself.If and when is their a time frame on this project?

steamtrain90@aol.com

> Hi.I just read that Amtrak should have a
> station built in Paradise by this time next
> year,and that there is going to be a
> turntable in Paradise for the Strasburg
> Railroad to turn their engines around. My
> question is I heard rumors of new roundhouse
> and turnable at the railroad itself.If and
> when is their a time frame on this project?

Jeff, Sandy Mitchell posted a message with the history of this project - search on "Leaman" to find it. As you will read in his message, this project is primarily about serving commuters - Strasburg will benefit from a connection, but it won't shift the center of gravity from East Strasburg by any means.

My understanding is that things began to come together in September after years of discussion, and at that time there was a POSSIBILITY that work would begin over the winter. Track changes in the Leaman Place area would be done during the Strasburg Rail Road's winter hiatus (mid-December through Valentine's weekend). Then again, this could be like the trail along the Western Maryland Scenic - we've been hearing "this winter" for 4-5 years now, and it's still not in place.

If I understood correctly, the old PRR freight house at Leaman Place (now a builder's supply, I believe) would be converted into the passenger station. A subway would connect a new platform along the Strasburg with the new station, there would not be a "cross-platform" change to the Strasburg as such (the distance would be about 150 yards, I think).

A turntable site at Leaman Place has been discussed, but I didn't get the impression that it was part and parcel of this project. If there are plans for a roundhouse at either end of the line, I haven't heard about it.

Take it for what it's worth - the faulty memory of a man on his first cup of coffee on a Saturday morning . . .

JAC

Then again, this could
> be like the trail along the Western Maryland
> Scenic - we've been hearing "this
> winter" for 4-5 years now, and it's
> still not in place.

Debatable there John...it IS in place at Frostburg and looks rather horrible. I'm afraid this one wasn't a big joke and the worst of it is yet to be seen until they get below No. 9 Switch.

Kevin

k_gilliam@bellsouth.net

> Then again, this could

> Debatable there John...it IS in place at
> Frostburg and looks rather horrible. I'm
> afraid this one wasn't a big joke and the
> worst of it is yet to be seen until they get
> below No. 9 Switch.

I said nothing about a joke, Kevin.

My point is that publicly funded projects often get delayed. Just like the WMS trail has been delayed for four years, and from what I've been told construction has stopped due to a lack of funds, the work planned for this winter won't be done, and it may easily be another year or two (or more) before it continues down the WMS.

So just because there was talk of work in Leaman Place this winter doesn't mean it will happen.

The cosmetics of the trail along the WMS weren't the point.

JAC

We have been working on this project for 12 years. It is closer to reality than it has been in the past. A few bumps to go over yet.

It will be an unmanned station - basically platforms and a small parking lot. The turntable is still part of the project. The turntable and roundhouse at Strasburg are planned for the future. Business and need will determine when.

Strasburg Rail Road
linnwm@supernet.com