Links to a couple of news articles on the above, from various sources. Although the rooms are for NS employees only, at least one of these reports says that the restaurant is open to the public.
Lower Allen Township is generally about 5 miles southwest of Harrisburg, PA, on the western side of the Susquehanna River, across from the Steelton rail mill, not far from the former PRR’s Enola Yard; also near I-76 = Pennsylvania Turnpike, I-83, Camp Hill, New Cumberland and the Army Depot there, Capital City Airport, etc. - I don’t have a better address than that for it.
Once upon a time many carriers supported YMCA lodging facilities at a number of their terminals to provide lodging for their away-from-home crews. I believe most of those were phased out in the middle to late 80’s in favor of commercial lodging. The carriers negotiate a ‘super low rate’ and then wonder why, when an activity takes place in town that will draw ‘paying customers’ there are no rooms available for railroad personnel. Progress?
There have been at least two other facilities like this opened for NS employees in recent years that I’m aware of. One is in Bellevue, OH, replacing a dormitory-type building built by Norfolk and Western in 1966 and the other also replaced a N&W-built dorm in Peru, IN, of similar vintage. The one in Bellevue is about 2 1/2 years old and the one in Peru was opened sometime last year.
I did a quick search for “MSI Hospitality Solutions” and “rail” - found nothing additional; but “MSI” and “Norfolk” found a few more, including this squib from the Winter 2008 City of Bellevue newsletter: “MSI Hospitality Solutions has completed a new dormitory facility for Norfolk Southern Railroad on the north end of town. The 70-room dormitory is contracted for railroad personnel only; however, the attached restaurant, Tracks End, is open 24 hours a day.” - Paul North.
Interesting location for the crew quarters – not as convenient to Enola or the intermodal yard on the other side of the river as one might expect if those were the only need drivers. However, quite convenient for the expected growth in Crescent Corridor traffic coming up from Hagerstown or southbound from NYC/Jersey or Philly. Something to consider.
I understand your point but is the Crescent traffic going to “divert” to Harrisburg or Enola or bypass Harrisburg to the south on the old Reading particularly with the Greencastle facility in the mix? I’ve asked the question several times but no one seems to know what NS is planning operationally.
Who knows. It’s hard to believe that they would keep Greencastle, Harrisburg, AND Rutherford all open at the same time. I know there are constant plans that they want to completely rebuild Harrisburg, completely rebuild Enola (again), and move the triple clown yard to the old Lucknow rail welding plant on the north end of HBG yard.
But then again, there’s ALWAYS great plans in the works.