Interesting about the reason why the 1 midday round trip deadheaded to Lancaster. I was always under the impression that 1) it was all Parkesburg trains went to CORK and 2) it was because there wasn’t an interlocking close enough to the station to allow the trains the change ends and head back towards Paoli without disrupting other rail traffic. So I stand corrected.
RE: the proposed SEPTA takeover of Harrisburg service I don’t think that was a SEPTA proposal I believe that was pitched as being a separate entity called “Diamond Railway” to be operated with 40 refurbished ex-NJT Arrow II MUs. A stop at Leaman Place was also mentioned. It was in the April 1998 issue of Railpace. I believed it to be true as an 8 year old, but I don’t know how legitimate that claim was as I haven’t been able to find any official info on it.
RE: the proposed SEPTA takeover of Harrisburg service I don’t think that was a SEPTA proposal I believe that was pitched as being a separate entity called “Diamond Railway” to be operated with 40 refurbished ex-NJT Arrow II MUs. A stop at Leaman Place was also mentioned. It was in the April 1998 issue of Railpace. I believed it to be true as an 8 year old, but I don’t know how legitimate that claim was as I haven’t been able to find any official info on it.