Amtrak Action + Construction Update @ Lancaster, PA - August 9, 2025

On August 9, 2025, I made a trip out to Lancaster, PA. While I was there, I took a look at the construction on Platform 2. However, that wasn't the coolest part of my Lancaster trip, follow me for a second.

So, I took Amtrak Keystone 663, and it was led by a Metroliner Cab Car (9638 to be exact). When we reached Lancaster, two things happened. One, I spoke with the engineer and another official (not sure if he's a trainer / pilot / foreman) about Metroliner Cab Cars, Airos, Genesis Locomotives, and Amtrak in general. They both encouraged me to work with Amtrak. Never say never, but we'll see. As we spoke, we both noticed an Amtrak Keystone waiting on Track 2 at CORK Interlocking. Shortly thereafter, 663 headed west, but not before the foreman (I think) gave me two bottles of water and said I quote "You can't say Amtrak never gave you nothin."

After that, a late Amtrak Keystone 666 made its way into the station, then proceeded east to Philly and eventually NYC.

After those trains came & went, I took a closer look at the construction progress. The main thing I noticed was mezzanine has some sort of plating / cushioning underneath it.

After that, Pennsylvanian 42 snuck up on me...WITH A PHASE VII P42DC. I'm used to the Pennsylvanian sounding its horn before stopping at Lancaster, plus it was 10 minutes early. This was my first time seeing a Phase VII P42DC in person, outside of the Empire Corridor.

It's always cool (as a railfan) to see how delays can affect the sequence of trains. A difference of mere minutes can lead to meets you wouldn't otherwise see. Enjoy.

Chapters:
1. Amtrak Keystone 663 - 0:00
2. Amtrak Keystone 666 (LATE) - 1:20
3. Construction (Platform View) - 3:50
4. Padding Underneath Mezzanine - 5:55
5. Mezzanine View - 6:17
6. Departure Board on Track 1 - 7:57
7. Amtrak Pennsylvanian 42 w/Phase 7 P42DC 87 - 8:04
8. BONUS CLIP / P42DC 87 @ 30th Street - 8:43

#Amtrak #KeystoneCorridor #AmtrakKeystone
#P42DC