Strasburg Railroad

Okay, so I lied.

On day two of our trip to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, we visited both the Strasburg Railroad and the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. I said I was going to include both in my post today, but I just have too many pictures and not enough self-control to pick only a few.

So, today will be the Strasburg Railroad only.

The Strasburg Railroad was founded in 1832 for passenger and freight transportation but it's main purpose soon became as a freight interchange with the Pennsylvania Railroad. By the mid-1950's it's usefulness was coming to an end and in 1957 track destruction caused by a series of storms brought the railroad to a halt.

With the owners unwilling to invest in repair of the tracks, it looked as though the Strasburg Railroad was going to slip quietly into a place in history. While petitions for abandoment were being considered, two fans of the railroad, Henry Long and Donald Hallock formed a group to try and save it.

After repairing the four mile track, the owners of the railroad began acquiring locomotives and passenger cars from all across North America. The railroad was opened to visitors in 1958 as a tourist railroad and has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Lancaster. (www.strasburgrailroad.com/about-the-railroad)

Upon arrival at the station, we were not disappointed. We encountered the engine just hooking up to the passenger cars and getting ready for it's first trip out of the day. It was like stepping back in time to the steam engine era and I felt all that was missing was my parasol and steamer trunk.

The kids were delighted! We soon learned that instead of the usual, " Choo Chooooooo, chugga chugga chugga" that most kids say, Zoë says, "Choo Choooooo traintraintraintrain- traintraintraintrain." This never got old, throughout the entire trip.

One can buy the standard coach car tickets for $14 for adults & children 12 and up, $7 for children 3-11 and children under 3 are free. A ride in the first class parlour car will cost you $20 per person regardless of age. You can also choose to ride in the restored dining car with lunch served to you for $16 and $9 for adults and children 12 and over and children 3-11 respectively and $2 for children under 3 plus the cost of your meal.

We chose to ride in the open air cars with a beautiful panoramic view unobstructed by windows for my picture-taking needs. This upgrade also cost $16, $9 and $2 for twelve and over, 3-11 years and under 3 respectively.

We got on the first train of the day and although not vacant, it was not crowded at all either. There was plenty of room to choose your seats. I did notice as we pulled back into the station after our ride that there were considerably more people waiting to take the next train. We purchased our tickets there at the station with ease, but I am told weekends are very crowded and it is recommended you purchase your tickets in advance.

One last thing- several times a year, Strasburg Railroad hosts Thomas the Tank Engine- a life-size engine painted to look like Thomas to comes to pull their train. This is a very popular event and advanced ticket purchase is highly recommended if not necessary.

Now for the rest of the photos:

The inside of the open-air car. You can look through the doors two cars up and see the nose of the engine.

An old engine we passed on the way out of the station:

Our conductor taking tickets:

Amish farms:I used my zoom lens for a closer look at the the Amish farm:

Amish farmhouse:


More Amish farms:

Our engine unhooked from the train and then went around us to hook up to the other end and pull us back to the station:
He's almost there and then he can switch tracks and hook up:
All hooked up and ready to go back:
Amish farming caught on film:Building a barn:

The inside of the coach car- I can stare at this picture all day- BEAUTIFUL!
Our engine:
While taking pictures of Zoë, I caught a Mennonite family in the background boarding our train:
Another picture of the Mennonite family in the background:Details of our engine: