Strasburg Rail Road

MISSION STATEMENT
As the oldest continuously operating railroad in the United States, the mission of the Strasburg Rail Road is to provide transportation and present the best example of early 20th century steam railroading in a safe, clean, and historic environment. We are dedicated to providing an enjoyable experience for our customers in a pleasant and friendly atmosphere.

ABOUT
Strasburg Rail Road™ is America’s oldest operating railroad with a charter dating back to June 9, 1832. First used for passenger and freight transportation, the short line limped along for more than a century until in 1958, on the verge of abandonment, the railroad was salvaged and given new life as a tourist railroad.

When you visit Strasburg Rail Road, the first thing you can expect is an authentic experience of a real steam railroad. The locomotives and passenger cars are not replicas, and our staff members are not reenactors. Strasburg Rail Road has five serviceable steam locomotives and 20 operating passenger cars, including our President’s Car, First-Class Parlor Car, First Class Lounge Cars, and our Dining Car. All equipment is restored and maintained on-site in our Mechanical Shop.

Your ticket entitles you to a 45-minute, 9-mile round-trip ride through the tranquil Amish countryside to Paradise, PA and back. During the ride, you can expect:
* An audio commentary providing interesting facts, history, and information about the railroad and surrounding area.
* A pace of travel that is appropriate for massive steam engines from the early 20th century – but much slower than today’s high-speed trains.
* More than 2,500 acres of Lancaster County farmland visible from your window, much of which is farmed by our Amish neighbors. During the growing season, this land supports livestock as well as crops such as corn, alfalfa, soybeans, and tobacco. As seasons change and farmers work their fields, the view from the Strasburg Rail Road changes as well.
* The opportunity to disembark and enjoy old-fashioned fun at Groff’s Grove or Leaman Place Grove, convenient recreation areas along the railroad’s route for mid-way boarding or unloading.

Your ticket purchase also helps preserve this history for future generations as it is reinvested back into the railroad. Additionally, the Strasburg Rail Road actively supports the Lancaster Farmland Trust, one of the nation’s leading organizations dedicated to the preservation of fertile farmland.

Before or after your ride, the Fun Extras at the Station include our shops, playground, Cranky Cars, Pump Car and Pint-Sized Pufferbelly (open seasonally). Furthermore, our noon Shop Tour offers a unique behind-the-scenes glimpse of the commitment and craftsmanship that goes into keeping our historic “iron horses” and wooden passenger cars alive.

We welcome you to visit the historic Strasburg Rail Road!