The "This Cost $17.7 Million?" Story

Lancaster Amtrak Station 

It was an ordinary day.  Just got back in my car after taking a walk through the train station located at the end of North Queen Street in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  While growing up I spent quite a bit of my time playing football on the lawn next to the station, sliding down the brass railings inside the station, hiding under the platforms watching the wheels of the trains as they passed by and occasionally visiting my friend Jerry's dad in the Railway Express building that was to the west of the station.  

The bottom of the brass railing that
I would slide down every time
I made a visit to the train station.

The Railway Express office had a Coke machine with real bottles that cost 5 cents each.  The station used to be called the Pennsylvania Railroad Station, but is now known as the Lancaster Amtrak Station.  Built in 1929 just over the city border in Manheim Township.  I have many fond memories of sitting on a revolving stool  in the snack bar on the second floor of the station drinking a cherry coke with friends.  Over the years the station started to deteriorate and became an eyesore for the community as well as Amtrak.  In the late 1990s they decided to renovate the once beautiful and majestic station.  Well, after over 15 years, the renovations are said to be almost complete.  

The main waiting room at the Lancaster station.

As reported in the local newspaper on March 5th, the only thing to be completed yet are the restrooms.  Paper said Amtrak is actively "working to secure the funding necessary" to get the restrooms into full compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.  Also said in the paper that $17.7 million has already been spent on renovations.  

The newly plastered and painted concourse that lead
to the platforms sport all new windows.

The renovations that cost that amount  included: plaster repairs to the walls and ceiling of the main waiting room and concourse leading to the tracks; upgrades to the concourse including new windows and skylights; restoring the 14 wooden benches in the waiting room and concourse; and restoring the clocks and hanging lights.  

One of the new clocks and updated
lights that are in the main waiting room.

Oh yeah, they also upgraded the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.  And it cost $17.7 million!!  I hopped in the car and headed to the station to see just what it looked like after $17.7 million worth of renovations.  Well, I knew from previous trips months ago that the outside had been upgraded to include new overhangs for buses and taxicabs.  Those upgrades were interesting, but didn't match the 1929 architecture of the station.  Can't imagine what the architect was thinking when he designed them.  After my arrival today I headed up the staircase, holding onto the brass railing that I once spent hours sliding down.  

Looking down the railing as I was
leaving.  Yes, I was tempted, but ….

Reached the top of the stairs and was greeted by a newly painted waiting area.  Looked great!  The concourse also had a new coat of paint as did the stairs to the two platforms.  The new windows were a much needed addition as were the clocks.  I had read that the clocks were a donation from Ryan Miller in honor of his dad who operated Brent L. Miller Jewelers.  Stopped in the snack bar and was disappointed that they cut the size of it to about a quarter of what it used to be.  Then I headed to the restrooms to check them out.  They definitely are in dire need of repairs.  My impressions of Lancaster's newly renovated train station ........  How could what I saw possibly cost $17.7 million?  It does look great, but that's a whole lot of money for what I read was done to it in the paper.  And, 15 years to do that?  I must have missed something!  I thought it looked better when I was a kid, but I guess my memory can play games with me sometimes.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  PS - a few more photo of the showing the renovations.

My image is reflected in the polished brass ball on the new outdoor fence leading to the front doors.

Ticket and information counter is brightly lit.

Stairway leading to the tracks has a new coat of paint. 

Clock outside the station tells passengers if they are on time or late.

Platforms have plenty seating.

Door leading to the Eastbound tracks.

The snack bar which is no longer as long and narrow as it once was .

Looking from the concourse towards the main waiting room.

Work that stills need to be done is waiting