A bomb threat forced the closure of a Lancaster County road, shut down Strasburg Rail Road and led to hours-long investigation by Pennsylvania State Police on Friday. Video above: WGAL Reporter Sarah Metts reports from the scene.”Lancaster Station had received a call (shortly before 9 a.m.) from an unknown caller advising there were explosive devices planted at the rail station,” a statement from PSP said.Troopers responded and with the assistance of local police, they set up a perimeter. The Pennsylvania State Police Hazardous Device and Explosives Unit as well as multiple K9 units also responded and assisted.”After an extensive and detailed search no explosive materials were located, and it was determined there was no danger to the public,” PSP said.According to the Strasburg Rail Road president, there were no injuries and no damage to the property. Road closureGap Road/Route 741 was shut down in both directions between Historic Drive and Paradise Lane. It has since reopened.Statement from Strasburg Rail RoadThe railroad posted the following message on its Facebook page Friday morning:”Due to situations beyond our control we will be closed to the public today, Friday 3/27/2026. If you have booked tickets for today, you will be contacted by our station department.” The rail road posted a follow-up statement Friday afternoon:”Today, we closed our operation in order to ensure the safety of our visitors, staff, and community. Our highest priority has always been, and will continue to be, creating a safe place for families to enjoy our station and trains. We’ve worked closely with the authorities to secure the property and will be fully open tomorrow, Saturday, March 28.” Statement from Pennsylvania State PolicePSP emailed the following statement to WGAL at 3:06 p.m. “Active Police Incident at Strasburg Rail Road “**UPDATE**”PSP Lancaster – On March 27, 2026 at approximately 8:53 AM, troopers from the Pennsylvania State Police, Troop J, Lancaster Station were dispatched to the Strasburg Rail Road Station located at 301 Gap Road in Strasburg Township, Lancaster County for a reported bomb threat. Lancaster Station had received a call from an unknown caller advising there were explosive devices planted at the rail station. Troopers from Lancaster Patrol Unit arrived on scene and set up a perimeter with assistance from local fire department personnel. The Pennsylvania State Police’s Hazardous Device and Explosives Unit and multiple K-9 Units responded to the scene to assist in the investigation. After an extensive and detailed search no explosive materials were located, and it was determined there was no danger to the public. All roadways have been reopened. Investigation to determine the identity of the caller is ongoing. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact PSP Lancaster Station at 717-299-7650.”Amtrak trains temporarily stoppedAccording to a spokesperson for Antrak, three Keystone Service trains were temporarily stopped “due to municipal hold” on the tracks between Lancaster and Parkesburg, Chester County. That hold has since been lifted, and train service is expected to resume. See news happening? Send us your photos or videos if it’s safe to do so at https://www.wgal.com/upload.About the Strasburg Rail RoadThe Strasburg Rail Road is the oldest continuously operating railroad in the United States.Guests are able to ride early 20th-century steam trains through Lancaster County countryside.Strasburg has restored, repaired and refurbished trains since its first steam locomotive purchase in 1960.The car shop fully restores 100-year-old wooden coaches to their original beauty.Strasburg Rail Road remains one of the few tourist railroads committed to operating late 19th- and early 20th-century wooden coaches in passenger service.According to Strasburg Rail Road, it is the most visited tourist railroad in the continental United States, with an average annual ridership of 300,000 passengers.
STRASBURG TOWNSHIP, Pa. —
A bomb threat forced the closure of a Lancaster County road, shut down Strasburg Rail Road and led to hours-long investigation by Pennsylvania State Police on Friday.
Video above: WGAL Reporter Sarah Metts reports from the scene.
“Lancaster Station had received a call (shortly before 9 a.m.) from an unknown caller advising there were explosive devices planted at the rail station,” a statement from PSP said.
Troopers responded and with the assistance of local police, they set up a perimeter. The Pennsylvania State Police Hazardous Device and Explosives Unit as well as multiple K9 units also responded and assisted.
“After an extensive and detailed search no explosive materials were located, and it was determined there was no danger to the public,” PSP said.
According to the Strasburg Rail Road president, there were no injuries and no damage to the property.
WGAL News 8
Trooper walking along train tracks
Road closure
Gap Road/Route 741 was shut down in both directions between Historic Drive and Paradise Lane. It has since reopened.
Statement from Strasburg Rail Road
The railroad posted the following message on its Facebook page Friday morning:
“Due to situations beyond our control we will be closed to the public today, Friday 3/27/2026. If you have booked tickets for today, you will be contacted by our station department.”
The rail road posted a follow-up statement Friday afternoon:
“Today, we closed our operation in order to ensure the safety of our visitors, staff, and community. Our highest priority has always been, and will continue to be, creating a safe place for families to enjoy our station and trains. We’ve worked closely with the authorities to secure the property and will be fully open tomorrow, Saturday, March 28.”
Statement from Pennsylvania State Police
PSP emailed the following statement to WGAL at 3:06 p.m.
“Active Police Incident at Strasburg Rail Road
“**UPDATE**
“PSP Lancaster – On March 27, 2026 at approximately 8:53 AM, troopers from the Pennsylvania State Police, Troop J, Lancaster Station were dispatched to the Strasburg Rail Road Station located at 301 Gap Road in Strasburg Township, Lancaster County for a reported bomb threat. Lancaster Station had received a call from an unknown caller advising there were explosive devices planted at the rail station. Troopers from Lancaster Patrol Unit arrived on scene and set up a perimeter with assistance from local fire department personnel. The Pennsylvania State Police’s Hazardous Device and Explosives Unit and multiple K-9 Units responded to the scene to assist in the investigation. After an extensive and detailed search no explosive materials were located, and it was determined there was no danger to the public. All roadways have been reopened. Investigation to determine the identity of the caller is ongoing. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact PSP Lancaster Station at 717-299-7650.”
Amtrak trains temporarily stopped
According to a spokesperson for Antrak, three Keystone Service trains were temporarily stopped “due to municipal hold” on the tracks between Lancaster and Parkesburg, Chester County.
That hold has since been lifted, and train service is expected to resume.
See news happening? Send us your photos or videos if it’s safe to do so at https://www.wgal.com/upload.
About the Strasburg Rail Road
The Strasburg Rail Road is the oldest continuously operating railroad in the United States.Guests are able to ride early 20th-century steam trains through Lancaster County countryside.Strasburg has restored, repaired and refurbished trains since its first steam locomotive purchase in 1960.The car shop fully restores 100-year-old wooden coaches to their original beauty.Strasburg Rail Road remains one of the few tourist railroads committed to operating late 19th- and early 20th-century wooden coaches in passenger service.According to Strasburg Rail Road, it is the most visited tourist railroad in the continental United States, with an average annual ridership of 300,000 passengers.
Smith Collection/Gado
Postcard depicting a crowd at the main terminal of the Strasburg Rail Road, 1960.