Posted:
10/18/2024
Insider's Guide to the Strasburg Rail Road
Hop aboard the historic Strasburg Rail Road and travel back in time for a vintage Americana experience on one of the finest examples of early 20th century railroading.
Seasonal Experiences
Day Out With Thomas
Let everyone’s favorite celebrity locomotive, Thomas the Tank Engine — the only remaining Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal steam engine still in operation — power your journey as you admire the bucolic beauty of Lancaster County. Arrive early to enjoy live performances by singers and dancers in the train mall.
Easter Bunny Train
Enjoy a special Easter train ride where your kids will be delighted to find the Easter Bunny conducting a historic steam train!
The Elegant Express
Edwardian elegance comes alive at America’s oldest continuously operating railroad. This unique dining experience is designed to give you an elegant and sophisticated dining experience for you and your significant other.
Bonnie & Clyde Experience
This exciting, one-of-a-kind experience includes thrilling stunts, pyrotechnics, and more. Be a part of the festivities aboard the train, help our officers save the day, and bring the crime duo to justice.
Civil War Days: The Summer of '63
The summer of 1863 comes alive as the Union Army defends the railroad from the advancing Confederate troops aboard the historic steam locomotive as it travels through 2,500 acres of the picturesque Lancaster County Amish countryside.
Escape Room: Trapped In Time or "The Curse of the Bobber"
From the moment you enter, you are immediately thrust into a turn-of-the-century reality that you cannot escape. Or can you? Unleash your inner detective as you enter the mystery and try to escape an old stationary PRR Caboose in our Town Square.
Murder Mystery Train Experience
Guests are traveling by rail for the big premiere of a new Broadway show and to attend an intimate reception with its star. As the train departs, guests are treated to drinks from the bar, hors d’oeuvres, and soon after, a body. Who could the killer be? The high-powered press agent, the famous actor, her jealous manager, or even the barman? It’s anyone’s guess!
Haunted Rails and Tales
Local folklore, fables, and phenomena come alive for a unique steam train experience during Strasburg Rail Road’s Haunted Rails & Tails, based on the published works of Matt Lake. Lake will serve as the ghostly host as he guides guests through the weird, eerie, and spooky tales of Lancaster County and its environs.
Pumpkins in Paradise
Come celebrate the fall season and Halloween with a relaxing train ride and fall event! Pick a pumpkin and go trick-or-treating.
Christmas Trains at Strasburg Railroad
Embark on a magical holiday journey with one of several themed Christmas excursions on Strasburg Rail Road. Special train rides with Santa offer a chance for passengers to greet Santa Claus and personally tell Old Saint Nick what they desire for Christmas. If you’re in the market for a Christmas tree, the Christmas Tree Train Rides include a stop at Leaman Place Grove where passengers can select a fir of their choice to be hauled back to the station aboard the train. Brim with holiday cheer as you enjoy a peaceful winter evening ride while being regaled with Clarke Moore’s classic, “The Night Before Christmas,” during the Night Before Christmas Train Rides. On the Santa’s Paradise Express the Strasburg Rail Road welcomes a very special visitor every November and December. That’s right, Santa himself will climb aboard the historic steam train to greet families as they travel down the tracks to Paradise, PA, and back. As a special treat, children ages 11 and under will receive a gift from Santa and his helper during this nostalgic 45-minute steam train ride.
Long John Limited
Beat the cabin fever, wear your long johns, enjoy a complimentary cup of coffee and a “Long John” donut, and take a ride aboard our Open Air Car — yes OPEN AIR car.
History
Founded in 1832, Strasburg Rail Road is the oldest public utility in Pennsylvania and America’s oldest operating railroad. Originally conceived as an efficient alternative to Conestoga wagons that would connect with the Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad to transport passengers and freight through Pennsylvania, the railroad’s purpose would eventually shift to primarily shuttle goods as part of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Following a decline in the necessity for rail transportation in favor of highways and automobiles following World War II, plus track damages caused by storms, Strasburg Rail Road faced irrelevance and abandonment in the late 1950s.
In 1958, railfans Henry K. Long and Donald E. L. Hallock formed a committee to purchase and save the railroad. Successful in their endeavor, Strasburg Rail Road roared along the tracks again just a week following their purchase. Soon thereafter, the line began a tourist excursion service, which continues to this day, delighting visitors of all ages with an authentic railroad experience. To uncover more of the railroad’s history, visit Strasburg Rail Road’s official website.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to ride the Strasburg Rail Road?
Pricing varies by age, group size, and type of car. Seasonal events and special experiences also have their own pricing model. Consult Strasburg Rail Road’s official website for up-to-date pricing information. Current pricing for standard, 45-minute round-trip journeys are as follows:
- Coach Cars:
- Children ages 2-11: $16
- Adults ages 12+: $24
- Open Air Cars:
- Children ages 2-11: $18
- Adults ages 12+: $26
- Coach Class Cars:
- Children ages 2-11: $30
Adults ages 12+: $30
- The Dining Car:
- Children ages 2-11: $16 for Steam Train Ride + $12.75 for Meal selection, Tax, and Gratuity
- Adults ages 12+: $24 for Steam Train Ride + $20 for Meal selection, Tax, and Gratuity
Seasonal and annual Train Passes are also available, granting access to multiple rides throughout the year and special discounts on merchandise, food and drink, tours, and events, in addition to other benefits.
What is the Strasburg Rail Road train schedule?
Similar to most train operations, Strasburg Rail Road operates on a fixed schedule, with trains departing at their scheduled departure times and passengers boarding 10-15 minutes prior to their scheduled departure. Typical departure times occur at 90-minute intervals and most trains operate on a 45-minute round trip journey, barring special scheduling for seasonal events.
What age is considered a child on the Strasburg Rail Road?
Strasburg Rail Road considers passengers ages 2-11 years old children, qualifying for child pricing. Passengers under the age of 2 ride free.
How long is the Strasburg Rail Road train ride?
The average ride onboard the Strasburg Rail Road is 45 minutes, round trip. Select special events and seasonal experiences operate under slightly different timing, per experience.
Does the Strasburg Rail Road haul freight?
Yes. True to its origins, the Strasburg Rail Road still hauls freight along its route, including lumber, steel, grains, dry fertilizers, bedding, and bio-fuel, among other items. To learn more, click here.
How long is a Day Out With Thomas?
The Day Out With Thomas excursions last 45 minutes. The related activities, photo ops and performances at the Train Mall are available on Day Out With Thomas days, from 9:30 a.m. until one hour after the last Thomas train has returned to the station.
Does Strasburg Rail Road have bathrooms?
Yes. All First-Class cars, including the President’s Car, Parlor, Lounge and Dining cars, have restrooms. Specific Coach cars have restrooms, with at least one Coach car accessible on daily trains. There are no restrooms on Open Air cars. Visitors are recommended to arrive ahead of the scheduled departure time and use public restrooms to avoid ride disruptions.
How old is the Strasburg Rail Road?
Strasburg Rail Road was founded in 1832, and recently celebrated its 190th anniversary in 2022. Ongoing research is still being conducted to determine precisely when the first train rolled along the tracks, however current research suggests trains were scheduled as of December 1851.
Are pets allowed onboard Strasburg Rail Road?
No. Pets and animals are not permitted on Strasburg Rail Road or in customer areas at the station mall or train platform. Only service animals, who are trained to support individuals with disabilities, are permitted beyond those points.
