Plan a Day Trip to Strasburg Rail Road in 2007
By Maggie Horgan
Chester County Press
January 2007

Living in southern Chester County, we are very fortunate to have many enjoyable, family-friendly places nearby to visit, with several of them being rich in history and providing fun learning opportunities for everyone.

Strasburg Rail Road, in Lancaster County, offers one of the world’s most extensive collections of authentic wooden passenger cars. In just one day, visitors can ride and learn about trains dating back to 1915. That’s the era the folks at The Strasburg Rail Road Company (SRC) have taken great pride in ensuring that their trains have been restored to reflect. According to Mike Resch, who has worked in Group Sales at SRC for about six years, this era of reflection is across the board—even the coal-burning stoves on the cars are reminiscent of the year 1915.
Within about a half hour, one can drive to Strasburg from the Oxford area, looking forward to a day of fun, excitement, and an inherent history lesson taught, unbeknownst to the visitor. Whether one enjoys a peaceful, scenic route, a fine dining experience, an open-air ride, or experiencing all different types of train rides, Strasburg Rail Road is the one-stop trip that is certain to satisfy everyone’s call for a great day.
Visitors will want to be sure and check out the unique Strasburg Gift Shop, Rail Road Store, and Strasburg Toy Store. After an adventure through these exciting stops, one will certainly want to head for a snack at the Sweet & Treat Shop. The charming restaurant at Strasburg Rail Road, The Trackside Café, is guaranteed to satisfy all hungry shoppers and passengers, with a friendly staff to greet everyone, and an enticing menu with plenty of meal, snack, and dessert choices to pick from.

In addition to the full-sized steam train, there are many other attractions for visitors to climb aboard. Some of the more popular ones include the Cranky Cars, which are geared toward children, and offer their passengers the opportunity to play train engineer as they ride; the adorable Cagney steam train, which was constructed nearly 90 years ago, and brings joy to all who ride it; the Pump car, which challenges the passenger to help the train go, with the accompaniment of a train attendant; and the President’s car, a private train which once transported the richest of passengers, and has been carefully kept in just as exquisite condition as it originally had been.
Of particular interest, many of Strasburg Rail Road’s trains have been featured on the big screen over the years. The oldest passenger car at Strasburg, built in 1913, the #20 Train, played the part of a funeral car in Raintree County, a 1956 film by MGM in which Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Cliff starred.

In 1968, four of Strasburg’s coach cars and one locomotive were cast in the movie Hello, Dolly! a 20th Century Fox project, which starred Barbara Streisand, Walter Matthau and Louis Armstrong, and was in theaters in 1969.
Also in 1968, two coach cars from Strasburg made their film debut in Gaily, Gaily, which starred Beau Bridges and Hume Cronyn.
In 1999, many of Strasburg Rail Road’s cars made a voyage to Monument Valley, Utah, where they were featured in the film Wild, Wild West, starring Will Smith and Kevin Kline.

The film Thomas and the Magic Railroad was another 1999 film in which Strasburg cars appeared.
To add to the enjoyment of the Strasburg Rail Road, the staff there have developed special day packages, each suited to meet different particular interests visitors may have. These include:

1) The Rail Baron Pass: When visitors purchase this special ticket, they may use it for the entire day to ride SRC trains, take part in special activities there, receive a tour of the Mechanical Shop at noon, and as admission to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, a separate tourist attraction right across the street from SRC.

2) The All Day Pass: Resch said this is the most practical and economical option for families visiting for the day. Those with this ticket may ride as many times as desired on the coach cars, the Cagney Train, the Pump Car, and Cranky Car. They will be able to check out the President’s Car, Switch Tower and the display of freight equipment on the premises.

3) The Rail Road Farm Fun Pass: It’s the best of both worlds for those who love to ride and also enjoy a day spent amid the pleasant surroundings of a farm. With this pass, visitors are welcome to take a ride on the Coach Car; go for as many rides as desired on the Cagney Train, Pump Car and Cranky Car; and enjoy the notable President’s Car, the always-fun Switch Tower, and the display of the Rail Road’s freight equipment; and make a visit to the nearby Cherry-Crest Farm, with its creative Amazing Maize Maze. (Cherry-Crest Farm is closed on Sundays and Mondays).

4) The Wonder Rail Pass: Fun, fun and more fun! This ticket allows the visitor the enjoyment of the All Day Pass, as described above, plus a second day of admission to Dutch Wonderland Family Amusement Park (which is open every day from the end of May through early September—see the park’s web site for more information: www.dutchwonderland.com.

Besides these great packages, remember that when visiting Strasburg Rail Road, visitors may take a special tour of the railroad’s mechanical shop at noon. Here, one can see what goes into the building and restoring of the trains. Toddlers are not permitted in the shop, for safety reasons. This is a popular tour, and it is encouraged that tickets for the shop tour be purchased in advance. Visitors can also ride a train to Cherry-Crest Farms as part of a day’s visit. Most train rides are about 45 minutes in length and travel to nearby scenic Paradise, Pa., and back to Strasburg. The Dining Car offers a great, scenic view as visitors enjoy a delightful meal, either lunch or dinner. A new great attraction has been Strasburg Rail Road’s Wine and Cheese Trains, which offer passengers ages 21 and older a relaxing train ride as they are served a nice selection of local wines, cheese, crackers and fruits.

Special events also take place throughout the year, such as The Easter Bunny Train, Trains & Troops to commemorate Veterans’ Day, Santa’s Paradise Express, and “Day out with Thomas,” a fun-filled event featuring children’s favorite, Thomas the Tank Engine.

Group tours are also available, and very popular. It is suggested that groups, such as schools, churches and other organizations, call ahead to allow plenty of time for reservations. Accommodating staff members are pleased to assist those wishing to schedule group visits.

The Strasburg Rail Road dates back to 1832. For many years, it was relied upon for passenger and freight transportation, but during the years following World War II, it was not nearly as necessary as it once had been, with improved alternate means of transportation well in existence. The Rail Road was severely damaged by storms in the 1950s, and funding was not available to rebuild it. Prospects looked grim for a while for the Rail Road, until a grassroots effort led by Henry Keiper Long, who later became the first president of the SRC, led to the raising of enough money and local manpower to rebuild the four and a half mile track, helping to make the East Strasburg Station what it is today. Perhaps as a way to commemorate this strong community effort, many of the Rail Road’s passenger cars have been named for significant properties and landmarks nearby, or people of SRC importance, including Long, according to Strasburg Rail Road literature. Strasburg Rail Road is documented as being the oldest short-line railroad in the country.

Resch said there is a certain element or characteristic about the nature of the employees at Strasburg Rail Road. He said most of the staff members stay for many years, and all are devoted to ensuring the railroad remains authentic and in optimal condition. “They take great pride in what they do,” said Resch, of the employees. “What you see is what you get here,” he added, referring to the cheerful, welcoming manner of those at Strasburg Rail Road.

The new season for Strasburg Rail Road starts up in early February. Plan ahead, and schedule a day or two now, for a terrifically fun time for a couple, a group of friends, or the whole family. Strasburg Rail Road is located on Route 741 East in Strasburg. For more information, please call 717-687-7522, or visit www.strasburgrailroad.com.