A Ride Into History: The Strasburg Rail Road
By Thomas James Stefanchik
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
April 2007

What comes to mind when you think of Pennsylvania Dutch Country? Serene images of a bucolic countryside, Amish folk tending their fields, horses and buggies?

How about steam trains and pressure vessels? The town of Strasburg, located just outside of Lancaster, PA, is a hub of activity for the railroading industry and its enthusiasts. Chief among the area’s train-related museums, stores and other sites is the Strasburg Rail Road. This facility should be of special interest to ASME Members, as it is one of the only tourist railroad shops in the country to hold what is known in the industry as an “S” stamp. This highly specialized designation, administered by ASME, indicates that the Strasburg Rail Road can build a pressure vessel from the ground up. All other similar shops have an “R” stamp, qualifying them only to do repairs.

While most people visit Strasburg to ride the rails, those interested in a more technical perspective can take the little-known behind-the-scenes tour of the Mechanical Shop. With more than 250 years of combined experience in design, repair and construction of heritage and historical railroad equipment, Strasburg has been producing first-class work in the steam railroading industry since the 1960s. Interestingly, most of the work performed there is still done by hand.

In the mechanical shop, you will see both vintage and modern-day equipment, all of which was acquired with one thing in mind: to keep the history of steam railroading alive. Each day that the Rail Road is open, the Mechanical Shop closes down from noon to 1:00 p.m. for lunch. During this time, the workers take turns leading the daily tour of the shops, making each visit a unique experience for the guests.

Starting in the Engine House, guests can see where water is tested and locomotives are hostled and stored. From the Engine House you can step outside to see a fireman shoveling half a ton of coal into an engine’s firebox. The heat climbs to an astounding 2,500 degrees to transform the water into steam.

The next stop on the tour is the passenger car restoration shop, where visitors are treated to smell the fresh scent of paint and stained wood. Here, passenger cars are restored to their natural splendor. In fact, due to its unique standing and reputation in the industry, Strasburg is contracted by railroads nationwide for use of its facilities. Says President and Chief Mechanical Officer Lyn Moedinger, “We do not just build to industry standards, we build more for longevity. These trains are meant to last and be enjoyed for generations to come.”

One facility, which has utilized Moedinger’s shop, is the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore, whose engine the William Mason was restored by Strasburg for the film “Wild, Wild West” (as it turns out, that engine was the best thing about the movie). And when the Museum’s roof collapsed from heavy snow in 2004, it was helped back on track by Strasburg, who assisted in repairing their turntable and rebuilt one of its coaches for display.

While touring the Mechanical Shop may be a “must see” for any engineer, a visit to the Strasburg Rail Road is not just nuts and bolts. The highlight, for many, is a ride on one of the railroad’s beautifully restored and fully operational steam trains, two of which, engines #475 and #31, recently celebrated their centennial birthdays. These 45-minute excursions take you through scenic Pennsylvania Dutch countryside, with narration provided by courteous and knowledgeable conductors.

As for the survival of a quaint industry like steam railroading in an increasingly complex and technically oriented society, Moedinger remains optimistic. “The rarity of what we have to offer causes great demand and ensures our continued popularity.” Looking to the future, he says, “Our long-range plan is to build a roundhouse and reconfigure the property so that it has that turn-of-the-century look and feel. One of our greatest challenges, however, is finding qualified young people to hire.” If you’ve always dreamed of working on the rails, or if you simply want more information about the railroad, visit www.strasburgrailroad.com.

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