Disclaimer: Tickets were provided to my family complimentary or Strasburg Rail Road, all opinions are my own.

A Few Fun Facts about Strasburg Rail Road

My family and I recently made a visit to Strasburg Rail Road located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and had such a fun time. The Strasburg Rail Road was founded in 1832 and is America’s oldest continuously operating railroad. The Strasburg Rail Road is celebrating its 190th Anniversary this year and they’ve got some very special things planned for it. First used for passenger and freight transportation, the railroad’s main purpose became a freight interchange with the Pennsylvania Railroad. The history and story of the Strasburg Rail Road are just amazing.

Our Arrival at Strasburg Rail Road

When we arrived, we were greeted by the sounds of coal burning, which was pretty cool because none of us had ever seen a steam engine in real life. My son is a huge fan of trains so this was something we loved taking him to.

• Please plan to arrive at the Strasburg Rail Road at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time. Boarding will begin 15 minutes before the scheduled departure.

 

There are a few different time slots during the day that the train takes off and all Covi* protocol was followed. We had our tickets on our phone and checked in at the railroad station building and continued onto the train. Stepping onto the train, I felt taken back in time; the trains have been beautifully restored to their original glory. Most of the passengers were families on our train but I did see even solo travelers taking the ride.

The seats were made of plush velvet and there is even a bathroom on board. Please be aware that you must show your ticket on the train ride as well. The 45-minute ride took us around scenic Amish farmland. It was pretty amazing to see if you asked me. I’ve always been entranced with the Amish way of life and seeing the Amish actually working on their farms was pretty great! The ride went pretty quick and I do wish that it had lasted a bit longer but hey that just means I have to go back often!

Walking Around Strasburg Railroad

After we arrived back at the station we were able to walk around the area and explore the gift shop, toy shop, and a few kid-based rides outside. Unfortunately during our visit, Cafe 1832 was closed but I will check it out next time around. They did have a little caboose outside that was selling popcorn from what I saw. We were there on a pretty blustery day so we did our walk around and left after picking up a few souvenirs. All in all the whole experience was well organized and I definitely recommend it. Plus, it’s only a few hours away from NY/NJ area!

 

There are So Many Exciting Things Coming to Strasburg Rail Road

This year is their 190th Anniversary so be prepared for something extra special. Strasburg Rail Road also has numerous theme trains throughout the year, such as the Easter Bunny train and Christmas Train. They also offer season passes as well as dining trains, tours, and gift cards. I’m most excited to be going to see Day Out With Thomas later this year, and I can not wait to take you along with me! Stay Tuned! –> Link to their Special Events