NOTE: The Power Director’s Office is open for tours by request.
In 1915, the Pennsylvania Railroad began electrifying the eastern portion of its railroad, realizing faster travel times, cost savings, and less pollution over the standard steam locomotives of the time. Much of the electricity used by the PRR was generated by the Safe Harbor Hydroelectric Dam on the Susquehanna River.
Harrisburg (and Enola, just across the Susquehanna River) marked the western terminus of the PRR’s electrification project. The Power Director’s Office, located on the second floor of the PRR station in Harrisburg, once controlled the electrical power in the overhead catenary system on the Main Line from Harrisburg, PA to Frazer, PA (near Philadelphia), the Trenton Line to a point near Morrisville, PA, and the low grade freight lines from Enola, PA to Safe Harbor and Parkesburg, PA.
The Power Director’s Office was transferred to Penn Central in 1968 and to Amtrak in 1971. In May of 2022, the Harrisburg Chapter NRHS signed a lease agreement with Amtrak to preserve and restore the Power Director’s Office. The organization’s volunteers are now working to restore the equipment to operating condition in order to make the PDO a fully interactive, hands-on experience for visitors.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
LOCATION:
Power Director’s Office
Harrisburg Transportation Center
Second Floor, Room 218
4th & Chestnut Streets
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(click here for map & directions)
HOURS & ADMISSION:
The Harrisburg Power Directors Office is open by appointment for tours, contingent upon the availability of volunteers. Requests for tours can be made via the email address below. Admission is free, but donations to support our ongoing conservation efforts are greatly appreciated! The Harrisburg Power Directors Office IS handicap accessible via elevator.
CONTACT:
Phone: 717-232-6221
Email: NRHS.Harrisburg@gmail.com