Lancaster, PA —Rail has long played a central role in Lancaster County’s identity. From the early days of industrial freight movement to the iconic whistle of the Strasburg Rail Road, the region’s connection to the rail network runs deep.
Today, as communities across the country revisit their infrastructure priorities, Lancaster is quietly becoming a model for integrating freight and passenger rail into a modern economic development strategy.
“Freight and passenger rail are valuable but underutilized assets in Lancaster County’s transportation network,” notes William Clark, Interim Executive Director for Land Use & Transportation for the Lancaster County Planning Department (LCPD). “Both have significant potential to support economic growth in the region.”
That potential is already being realized through revitalized freight rail developments and expanded passenger rail service as an anchor to regional tourism.
Pennsylvania has been a leading freight rail state for over 150 years, with more railroads operating in Pennsylvania than any other state in the country. Rail continues to serve major regional employers whose transportation needs can’t be met by truck alone. Transloading—the transfer of goods between truck and rail—is also a crucial tool, extending rail’s reach to businesses beyond the physical end of the tracks.
A few recent success stories across Lancaster County highlight rail’s role in supporting economic growth. The Strasburg Rail Road, with assistance from Pennsylvania’s Rail Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP), established a new transloading facility Paradise, PA in 2023 to enhance cargo handling capabilities. Near Elizabethtown, two companies launched transloading operations recently—one for foundry sand, the other for glass manufacturing materials. In Conewago Industrial Park, a business is leveraging rail access to support a new warehouse facility, while in Columbia, another company has resumed rail service and expanded its product lines, according to Katharine DeSantis, Public Policy Manager of the Lancaster County Chamber.
These stories of local development speak to rail’s role in attracting new opportunities and sustaining cost-effective and sustainable shipping options for existing businesses.
Lancaster’s rich rail history isn’t just a point of pride—it’s a source of ongoing tourism and economic activity. The Strasburg Rail Road, National Toy Train Museum, and the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania are cornerstone attractions that significantly contribute to Lancaster County’s vibrant tourism economy. The Strasburg Railroad, for example, is America’s oldest continuously operating railroad and draws thousands of visitors annually for its historic steam-powered excursions through Pennsylvania’s picturesque countryside.
Alongside freight service and rail tourism sits our vital passenger rail networks. The Amtrak stations in Lancaster, Mount Joy, and Elizabethtown support regional mobility—but their full potential is still being realized. Improved public awareness and better integration with other modes of transportation are key priorities.
“We’re advocating for the westward extension of SEPTA service into Lancaster County,” said Clark. “If realized, this could bring more frequent service and potentially lower ticket prices along the Lancaster–Philadelphia corridor, enhancing regional mobility and economic connectivity.” The LCPD and Lancaster Chamber are already leading a freight study exploring this expansion.
This kind of forward-thinking planning shows that Lancaster isn’t just preserving its rail legacy, it’s actively building its rail future.
The Lancaster area stands as a clear example of how freight and passenger rail can serve local communities in multiple ways by supporting manufacturing, strengthening regional ties, and even reviving underused corridors for new growth.
