Strasburg Rail Road
"The Road to Paradise"
Incorporated before the Civil War, this acclaimed tourist hauler is America's oldest continually operating common carrier shortline railroad. Known as the "Road to Paradise," the little pike was destined for abandonment in 1957 when it was saved from the scrapper's torch by local railfans and reorganized for tourist passenger train operation. By 1960, steam had returned to historic rails running through Amish farmlands, and today the Strasburg is known the world over for its stable of pristine operating steam locomotives.
The Strasburg Rail Road is a venerable institution. Founded during the first term of President Andrew Jackson, it was incorporated by a special act of the Pennsylvania Legislature that was signed into law June 9, 1832. Precisely when the railroad first turned a wheel is still a matter of patient research, but the earliest timetable found to date indicates Strasburg trains were scheduled as of December, 1851. It is safe to say, without the slightest fear of contradiction, that the railroad's trains are well into the second century as familiar facets of the eastern Lancaster County scene. The railroad literally grew up with America, alternately prospering or eking out a precarious existence as dictated by the economic vicissitudes of the growing nation.
William M. Moedinger, The Road to Paradise, 1983
The Strasburg Rail Road is the oldest continuously operating railroad in the western hemisphere and the oldest public utility in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The line runs from the east end of the village of Strasburg, 4.5 miles east to Paradise, Pennsylvania, where it connects with Amtrak's Keystone corridor mainline (former Pennsylvania RR and later Conrail) and a Norfolk Southern interchange.
In addition to hauling over a quarter million tourists every year, the shortline also provides occasional freight and transload service to area shippers.
By the late 1950s, the pre-tourist Strasburg Rail Road had fallen on hard times from the effects of declining freight business, infrequent runs, damage caused by Hurricane Hazel, and inspectors from the Interstate Commerce Commission grounding of the line's tiny Plymouth locomotive. Upon the death of owner Bryson Homsher, his estate filed for abandonment with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission in 1958. Hearing of the potential abandonment, an effort to purchase and save the railroad was organized by two local railfans from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. They organized a non-profit group to purchase the shortline, which was finally completed on November 1, 1958. The following week, the first carload of revenue freight was hauled to what was then the only customer: a small mill in Strasburg. Tourist excursion service soon began in January 1959, and the revived line's first steam locomotive of many arrived the following year.
Strasburg currently rosters four operating steam locomotives: former Great Western "Decapod" #90, former Canadian National "Mogul" #89, former Norfolk & Western "Mollie" type #475, and former Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal #15 (rebuilt as Thomas the Tank Engine). The Strasburg is one of the few railroads in the United States to occasionally use steam locomotives to haul revenue freight trains. It also rosters the nation's largest operating fleet of historic wooden passenger coaches, including the nation's only operating wooden dining car. Several diesels are on hand for freight and standy service. The railroad's mechanical and car shops restore locomotives and rolling stock for the Strasburg itself and a wide variety of public and private clients, including fellow steam railroads, train museums, attractions, and others.
1910 Official Guide ad / collection
1968 Official Guide ad / collection
Strasburg, Pa / Aug 1971 / JCH
postcard / collection
1966 tourist train guide ad / collection
2019 tourist train guide ad / collection
regional map / RWH
Where in North America is the best place to catch operating steam and learn about railroad heritage? Surely Sacramento, Scranton, Carson City, Spencer, and Promontory Summit immediately come to mind. Of course, one attraction that stands out above the rest is nestled in the Amish Country of southeastern Pennsylvania where coal smoke rises and chime whistles echo all year long — Strasburg, Pa., home to the venerable Strasburg Rail Road and its across-the-street neighbor, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. Nearby is the popular National Toy Train Museum (headquarters of the Train Collectors Association) and the Choo Choo Barn, popular family attractions where there is much to see and do for not only the casual railfan but the intrepid traveler and connoisseur of all things steam.
Kurt R. Bell - A Visit to Strasburg - Railfan & Railroad
Ronks, Pa / Jul 2020 / RWH
Locations
The Strasburg Rail Road is among the most charming and photogenic of the region's train rides. Its locomotives are well-maintained, highly polished operating gems of the steam age. Equally impressive is the railroad's fleet of immaculate wooden-bodied passenger cars that were once common in the early years of the twentieth century. Strasburg is one of a few excursion railroads to operate steam daily during its peak season (April through October). Adding to the railroad's appeal are the traditional Amish and Mennonite communities that have made the area famous. The fields around the railroad are an oasis of rural charm in the ever-growing urban sprawl that is Lancaster.
Brian Soloman - Railroads of Pennsylvania - 2008
Lagniappe
Decidedly Decapod
Strasburg, Pa / Aug 1971 / JCH
Precision Transportation
Strasburg, Pa / Aug 1994 / RWH
Through the Looking Glass
Strasburg, Pa / Aug 1994 / RWH
End of Another Run
Strasburg, Pa / Aug 1971 / JCH
First Shift Begins
Strasburg, Pa / Jul 2020 / RWH
Honorable Retirement
Strasburg, Pa / Aug 1994 / RWH
One Classy Canadian
Strasburg, Pa / Jul 2020 / RWH
Ten Minutes to the Hour
Strasburg, Pa / Jul 2020 / RWH
Pop Goes the Weasel
Strasburg, Pa / Jul 2020 / RWH
Time for Me to Fly
Strasburg, Pa / Jul 2020 / RWH
Gimme that Old Time Religion
Strasburg, Pa / Jul 2020 / RWH
Rods Up and Ready to Roll
Strasburg, Pa / Jul 2020 / RWH
The Ascendancy of Steam
Strasburg, Pa / Jul 2020 / RWH
You've Pushed Me to the Limit
Strasburg, Pa / Jul 2020 / RWH
Love Birds
Strasburg, Pa / Jul 2020 / RWH
Eighty Nine
Strasburg, Pa / Jul 2020 / RWH
All Eyes on Cherry Hill
Strasburg, Pa / Jul 2020 / RWH
As We Ride through Fields of Gold
Strasburg, Pa / Jul 2020 / RWH
Train Time!
Ronks, Pa / Jul 2020 / RWH
Holding Down the Rear
Paradise, Pa / Jul 2020 / RWH
Roll Away the Mileage
Jul 2020 / RWH
Bisecting Beauty
Strasburg, Pa / Jul 2020 / RWH
Sister Golden Hair
Strasburg, Pa / Jul 2020 / RWH
America's Short Line
Strasburg, Pa / Jul 2020 / RWH
Break Time
Strasburg, Pa / Jul 2020 / RWH
Go Around at Groff's Grove
Ronks, Pa / Jul 2020 / RWH
"Keep Away from-a Runaround Sue"
Paradise, Pa / Jul 2020 / RWH
Magnificent Little Mogul
Strasburg, Pa / Jul 2020 / RWH
Snapshots
Strasburg, Pa / Aug 1971 / JCH
Strasburg, Pa / Aug 1994 / RWH
Strasburg, Pa / Jul 2020 / RWH
Links / Sources
- Strasburg Rail Road website
- Wikipedia article on Strasburg Rail Road
- Railroad Picture Archives Strasburg roster
- A Visit to Strasburg - Kurt Bell - Railfan & Railroad
- William M. Moedinger, The Road to Paradise: The Story of the Rebirth of the Strasburg Rail Road (1971)
- Brian Soloman, Railroads of Pennsylvania (Voyageur Press, 2008) 75-81
- Edward A. Lewis, American Shortline Railway Guide - Fifth Edition (Kalmbach, 1996) 299
- Charles W. McDonald, Diesel Locomotive Rosters - Third Edition (Kalmbach, 1992) 150