Train & Station Facts

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 passenger train cars have evolved over the years into the familiar cabs we know today.  Why Are…

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…

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…

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…

In the early 1900s, celebrity looked a little different than it does today. Socialites and business tycoons couldn’t use social media or airtime to broadcast their social status. They could, however, afford to travel in style for comfort and social status. And on the rails, that meant riding in a “business car.” Business cars were…

In the spirit of Halloween (and in preparation for our very first Strasburg Spooktacular), we thought now would be the perfect time to give our readers some history on one of the spookier sites along our rails. Our steam-powered Iron Horse not only ushers our guests through scenic farmland, but it also passes a unique…