Strasburg Rail Road

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Strasburg Railroad #90

Strasburg Railroad #475

Thomas the tank engine comes to the Strasburg Railroad 3 times a year.

The Strasburg Rail Road, located near Strasburg, Pennsylvania in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, is a steam locomotive powered tourist railroad dating back to 1832.

Known as America's oldest short-line railroad, the Strasburg Rail Road takes visitors on a 45-minute journey, past breath-taking scenery and real working Amish farms. The train also has a dining car which allows visitors to eat while enjoying a scenic ride. During the summer months, the Strasburg Rail Road is one of the only locations in the world where you can witness a meet between two regularly scheduled steam trains. Back at the station, visitors can take a ride on a Cagney miniature steam train, power a vintage Pump Car or watch little ones try their hand at the Cranky Cars. Many gift shops are located at the station including a Thomas the tank engine gift shop. Train buffs will enjoy a tour of the mechanical shop where steam engines and passenger cars are built and restored. The railroad's website contains more information and how to purchase tickets. A percentage of each train ticket is donated to the Lancaster Farm Trust which purchases farmland along the train route.

Three times throughout the year, the railroad has Day out with Thomas the tank engine events. Children can come take a ride pulled by Thomas the tank engine and engage in other railroad related activities. This is one of the highlights of the year at the Strasburg Rail Road.

Across the street lies the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. The railroad functions as the museum's link to the Amtrak main line in Paradise. The website ^[1] has links to nearby Pennsylvania Dutch region attractions.

Steam Locomotives of the Strasburg Railroad

0-6-0T 1 1917 Porter Brooklyn Eastern Since 1999

0-6-0 31 1908 Baldwin Canadian National Since 1960

2-6-0 89 1910 Canadian Canadian National Since 1972

2-10-0 90 1924 Baldwin Great Western Since 1968

4-8-0 475 1906 Baldwin Norfolk and Western Since 1993

4-6-0 972 1913 Montreal Canadian Pacific Not in op

0-4-0 1187 1903 Baldwin Reading Last Op 1967

Former Steam Locomotives of The Strasburg Railroad

4-4-0 1223 1905 Juniata Pennsylvania Railroad 1965 - 1990

4-4-2 7002 1902 Juniata Pennsylvania Railroad 1983 - 1990

4-4-0 98 1909 ALCO Mississippi Central Never oper.

All 3 former steam locomotives were owned by outside individuals or companies.

Both 1223 and 7002 were leased for operation. 1223 was leased by the P.R.R. from 1965 to 1968, by the Penn Central from 1968 to 1979 and from the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania from 1979 to 1990. 7002 was leased from the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. Today, 1223 and 7002 are static displays in the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania.

Number 98 was owned by Thomas Marshall. It sat on the property from 1962 to 1964 as a static display. Originally, it was planned to be operated on the Strasburg Railroad, but Mr. Marshall moved it to Delaware to operate on his Wilmington and Western steam railroad. 98 is in operation today.

No. 89 was purchased from the Steamtown Foundation in 1972. Enroute to Strasburg that June, it was caught in Penn Central's Buttonwood, Pennsylvania, yard when the Susquehanna River flooded over the locomotive's stack, delaying its debut at Strasburg.

The Strasburg Railroad also has a collection of early internal combustion locomotives. All are in operation.

1 1926 Plymouth Owned by the Strasburg since 1926

2 1910 Plymouth Owner by the Strasburg since 1984

10 Railcar Former Lancaster Oxford and Southern

33 44 Ton Former Pennsylvania Railroad