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Photo courtesy of Christopher R. Pollock. Whether you’re a railfan or not, you can’t deny the profound history that steam locomotives played in American history. At one point in time, steam was the “it” method of transportation. Strasburg Rail Road’s equipment roster is full of historic steam engines that you can experience yourself. Read on…

Railroad signals play a crucial role in the safety of train transit. Just like normal highway traffic lights, railroad signals direct the engineman on how to proceed. But these signals are much more complex than normal traffic lights. This guide breaks down US Railroad signals into three sections: category, type, and how to read. We’ve…

As a child, some of your fondest memories are formed by getting out of the house and exploring with your family or friends. From historical landmarks to museums, there are plenty of exciting and educational places to take kids in and around Lancaster County.  Whether you’re looking for field trips for schools or family things…

  Who knew there’d be a market for train car houses? As people became interested in the concept of living minimally, tiny houses hit the market. From there, contractors and designers started getting more creative with their builds, making homes from storage containers, old school buses, and now old train cars. Read on to learn…

It’s hard to imagine a life where cars and planes didn’t exist. These are simple luxuries that most people take advantage of every day. But there was a time when these methods of transport fell short and steam railways reigned supreme.  As train ridership started to dwindle in the early-to-mid 50s, railfans pushed for railroad…

Since their inception in the early 1800s, passenger train cars have undergone countless modifications. What started as small, unsteady, wooden carriages have fostered into massive, high-speed, aluminum cars that can transport more passengers over further distances.    Learn how different types of passenger train cars have evolved over the years into the familiar cabs we know…

In the “Golden Age” of railroads, passenger trains were the safest and fastest mode of transportation. Near and far, they carried people to and from work, across state lines, and even across the country. They weren’t always the preferred method of travel, however. As we look into their history, we’ll examine how the passenger train…

Lancaster, PA has become an increasingly popular location to experience live theatre. From historic performing halls to experimental venues, there are plenty of live entertainment options to choose from. Below are nine of our favorite live theatre spots near Lancaster County.  1. Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre Rediscover the tradition of dinner theatre at The Dutch…

If you google Strasburg, Pennsylvania, it’s impossible not to find a mention of its railroad. Since the borough’s founding in 1816, Strasburg has earned its nickname of “train town,” so clearly its railroad plays an important role in the history of Strasburg, PA. Though it’s in its 190th year of service, Strasburg Rail Road’s survival…

Are you a train buff looking for a PA railfan guide of places to explore? Lancaster County has a variety of activities for stream train enthusiasts to enjoy.  From museums and model train displays to train rides on operational steam locomotives, the following railfan guide outlines some of the best train attractions in and around…

It’s about that time of the year again! The kids are home from school for the summer and are itching for an adventure. It’s an exciting time! But for mom or dad, it can be stressful trying to plan unique, fun things for your children to do.  Skip the stress – this list has 10…

Within just a few minutes of visiting the Strasburg Rail Road, your ears will be buzzing with all sorts of terms you may not have heard before. Or maybe you have heard them before, but you’re not entirely sure what they mean. We’re here to help you have a better understanding of common railroad terminology…