Train & Station Facts

Understanding railroad safety might not be high on your priority list, but it should be. Making risky choices around railroad tracks can result in devastating consequences. And train tragedies happen much more than you probably think. In the United States, a person or car is struck by a train every three hours. Keep yourself and…

The caboose is an iconic symbol of America’s railroad history. For over a hundred years, this unique train car traveled at the rear of every train across the country.  From their origins as simple platforms to their evolution into fully-equipped crew quarters, explore the fascinating history of the caboose and its impact on the American…

If you are familiar with the history of Strasburg Rail Road, then you are sure to have heard many interesting facts about the railroad itself. One such is that we are referred to as a short line railroad. What is a short line railroad? How does it differ from a normal railroad, and why are…

Railroads will typically have signs posted in order to alert people and vehicles to the nearby conditions of trains or tracks. Like railroad signals, they are vital as warnings and guides, so it’s important to have a basic understanding of railroad sign meanings. This blog will list many of the common railroad signs you may…

By the time we reach the driving age, most people are knowledgeable about road safety laws. All drivers need to be — understanding which actions are safe and which are illegal not only protects you as a driver, but it helps protect any other drivers and passengers on the road.  What many of us don’t…

Between 1860 and 1900, the rate of railroad construction was increasing faster than ever. But what led to the rapid development of our railways?  That answer depends on who you ask. Certainly, innovation was a driving factor, but looking back, many would argue that the driving force for railroad tycoons was money and power.  While…

Since the beginning of America’s railroading history, railroad workers have always played an essential role in maintaining the safety of the train and its passengers. From operating the locomotive to surveying the land where the tracks were laid, each person’s role was unique. Explore the types of railroad workers that were most popular in the…

When passenger trains came into popular use, train car dining didn’t exist. It wasn’t until later, after the Civil War, that dining became a regular feature of train transit. As dining cars and the food they served continued to improve, train car dining started to rival some of the best five-star restaurants across the country….

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 and unique motive power that you can…

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…