Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg, Pennsylvania

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Strasburg, Pennsylvania · Updated October 19, 2026 · 13 min read

Railroad museumOpen Wednesday to Sunday; closed Mondays and Tuesdays

Opened in 1975 as the first building in North America designed from the start as a railroad museum, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania tells the story of every railroad that served the Commonwealth through more than 100 locomotives and cars, half a million images and documents, and nearly 20,000 smaller artifacts.

  • Opened to the public in 1975
  • More than 100 locomotives and cars
  • Pennsylvania Railroad Historical Collection
  • Ex-Reading 100-foot turntable
  • Working restoration shop
  • Stewart Junction for kids

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania at a glance

Hours
Wednesday to Saturday 10 am to 4 pm, Sunday 12 pm to 4 pm, last entry 3:30 pm; closed Monday and Tuesday
Admission
Adults (12 to 64) $10, seniors (65+) $9, youth (3 to 11) $8, 2 and under free; group rates for 10 or more adults
Seasonal events
Home For The Holidays, Holiday Movie Night, Trains & Troops, 1940s Swing Dance, Sensory Saturday, Rails & Ales, Railroading Merit Badge Workshop
Plan for
At least 90 minutes; 2 to 3 hours for big train fans
Best for
Families, school groups and serious rail historians
Best ages
All ages; Stewart Junction suits younger kids
Parking
On-site parking; free bus parking and a drop-off area for groups
Accessibility
The museum is accessible and accommodates special needs on advance request; call ahead to discuss arrangements. PA TDD relay: 800-654-5984.

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Strasburg.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

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Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

A museum the Commonwealth built for its railroads

The museum begins with an act of the Pennsylvania legislature in 1963. Two years later a site was chosen in Strasburg, in Lancaster County, and through the late 1960s the first locomotives and cars slowly arrived. Crews installed a 100-foot turntable from the Reading Company and yard tracks in 1970 and 1971, and the museum building went up between 1972 and 1974. When the doors opened in April 1975, it was the first structure in North America built specifically to be a railroad museum.

The name matters to the people who run it. This is the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, not a Pennsylvania Railroad museum: it covers every railroad that has served the state, along with the companies that built the equipment, the industries that supported it, and the workers and travelers who rode it. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission administers the site, and the nonprofit Friends of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, chartered in 1983, raises money for education, restoration and new projects.

The Friends' capital campaign paid for a 45,000-square-foot addition in 1995, styled after the arched urban train sheds of the late 1800s. Inside, volunteers and staff gradually built a 1915 street scene: Steinman Station, a re-created passenger depot, opened in 1988, Stewart Junction followed in 2000, and five period building vignettes were furnished between 2004 and 2010. A fully equipped restoration shop was added in 1999, and the program that began with volunteers saving engines from rust now pairs a small paid team with a large crew of volunteers.

Under the arched train shed and out in the yard

Most visitors start in the main exhibit hall, where locomotives and cars from the mid 1800s through the 1900s stand side by side under a roof shaped like an old city train shed. Many are part of the Pennsylvania Railroad Historical Collection, and many have been restored to the way they looked in service. Along one side, the 1915 Golden Age of Railroading street scene puts Steinman Station and a row of furnished storefronts at track level.

Beyond the hall, the outdoor yard and the ex-Reading turntable hold more of the collection. Local visitor guides note that you can watch restoration work as it happens on closed-circuit TV, and there is an art and photography gallery as well as the Whistle Stop Shop museum store. Behind the scenes, the museum's library and archives hold more than half a million photographs and documents, searchable through its online database.

Don’t miss

  1. The main exhibit hallThe 1995 addition was designed to recall a late 1800s urban train shed, and it puts dozens of full-size locomotives and cars under one roof.
  2. Steinman Station and the 1915 street sceneA re-created early 1900s passenger depot and five furnished period buildings show what the Golden Age of Railroading looked like from the platform.
  3. Stewart JunctionThe museum's interactive railway education center, opened in 2000, is built for hands-on learning at every age.
  4. The ex-Reading Company turntableInstalled in 1970 and 1971, the 100-foot turntable was the first piece of the museum ever built.
  5. The restoration shopAdded in 1999, it is where staff and volunteers in metalwork, welding, woodwork, painting and electrical bring historic equipment back to its original look.
  6. Pennsylvania Railroad B6sb No. 1670Volunteers have been repairing this steam locomotive's dome in the restoration shop, and the museum has slated it for exhibit.

Giant engines, a pretend town and Stewart Junction

Kids tend to feel very small next to the full-size steam and electric locomotives in the main hall, and the 1915 street scene gives them a town to explore at train level. Stewart Junction, the museum's interactive railway education center, is designed for all ages and is a good place to slow down with younger children. Scouts can earn the Railroading merit badge at workshops for ages 11 to 17, and the museum runs scouting programs, summer camps and curriculum-based school programs.

Families with kids who find crowds or noise hard can watch for Sensory Saturday on the events calendar. The museum asks visitors with special needs to call ahead to talk through arrangements, since some areas can be limited for safety or preservation reasons.

Plan your visit: tips for Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania

  • Arrive by 3:30 pm, the last entry time, and give yourself at least 90 minutes.
  • The museum is closed Mondays, Tuesdays and several holidays, but open on Juneteenth, Independence Day and Veterans' Day in 2026.
  • Pair your visit with a ride on the Strasburg Rail Road, which is just across the road.
  • Groups of 10 or more adults should call (717) 983-0015 for rates; advance reservations are required.
  • Members get free admission to many special events.

The museum's calendar fills up as the holidays approach. Home For The Holidays runs on select December Saturdays, and Holiday Movie Night brings families in for an evening at the museum, with dates posted on its events page. For a holiday train ride to go with your visit, see our guide to Christmas train rides in Pennsylvania.

State stewards and a dedicated Friends group

The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission runs the museum, with active support from the nonprofit Friends of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, whose fundraising pays for much of the restoration and education work. A small paid team works alongside a large group of volunteers in the restoration shop and galleries. You can help by becoming a member, volunteering, donating to the Friends, giving during the yearly Extraordinary Give, or shopping at the Whistle Stop Shop.

Strasburg's other rail stops, steps away

Strasburg makes it easy to build a full rail day. The Strasburg Rail Road and the Choo Choo Barn are right in town, and the National Toy Train Museum is about a mile away. For a longer list, see our guide to train museums in Pennsylvania.

Every train museum in Pennsylvania

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of a dad lifting Rally the corgi up the big stairs of a red train car
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

Standing next to a real steam locomotive, you notice how high those cab steps are. In our book, Rally's little corgi legs cannot climb the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. I think about that every time I picture kids looking up at the giant engines in this museum's train hall. You can read where Rally's story began on our story page.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.

Get the free coloring pages
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

More for train families

Work or volunteer at Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania?

We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania: 20 questions answered

Where is the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania?

The museum is at 300 Gap Road, on PA Route 741, in Strasburg, Lancaster County, PA 17579. It sits on the east side of Strasburg, directly across the road from the Strasburg Rail Road. The mailing address is PO Box 125, Strasburg, and the main phone line is (717) 687-8628.

What are the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania hours?

As of October 2026, the museum is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday from 12 noon to 4 pm, with last entry at 3:30 pm. It is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Holiday hours vary, so check the hours page on rrmuseumpa.org before you go.

Is the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania open on holidays?

Some. For 2026 the museum lists itself open on Juneteenth, Independence Day and Veterans' Day, November 11. It is closed on New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Indigenous Peoples' Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. The full list is on its Plan Your Visit page.

How much are Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania tickets?

As of October 2026, admission is $10 for adults ages 12 to 64, $9 for seniors 65 and over, $8 for youth ages 3 to 11, and free for children 2 and under. Groups of 10 or more adults can call for discounted rates. Tickets can be bought at the museum or through the Tickets link on its website.

Are there discounts or free tickets at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania?

Yes, a few. The state's listing for the museum shows active duty military and their immediate families admitted free, and a $9 discount rate for seniors. Children 2 and under are always free, groups of 10 or more adults get reduced rates, and museum members get free admission to many special events.

Does the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania have a roundhouse?

The museum lists a Roundhouse section under Collections and Research on its website, but the material available here does not describe it in detail. What visitors can see is the 100-foot former Reading Company turntable and yard tracks, installed in 1970 and 1971. Call (717) 687-8628 to ask what is open to the public on your visit.

Can you ride a train at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania?

No, the museum is a display museum and does not run train rides. For a ride, the Strasburg Rail Road is directly across Route 741, so many families pair the two on the same day. Inside the museum, kids can explore the 1915 street scene and the hands-on Stewart Junction instead.

Can you take photos inside the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania?

The museum has a dedicated Photography page under Plan Your Visit that explains its rules for cameras and photo shoots. Casual visitors exploring the train hall should read it before arriving, and anyone planning a professional or organized shoot should contact the museum at info@rrmuseumpa.org or (717) 687-8628 first.

Is there parking at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania?

Yes. The museum has on-site parking off Route 741, and for groups it offers ample free bus parking with a convenient drop-off and pick-up area. The museum is across the road from the Strasburg Rail Road, so plan to drive between the two rather than walk along the highway.

What events are coming up at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania?

As of October 2026, the calendar lists a Railroading Merit Badge Workshop on October 31, Trains and Troops on November 7 and 8, a 1940s Swing Dance on November 7, Sensory Saturday on November 14, Home For The Holidays on December 5 and 12, Holiday Movie Night on December 5, and Rails and Ales on April 3, 2027.

Does the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania do anything for Christmas?

Yes. Home For The Holidays runs on select Saturdays in December, and Holiday Movie Night is scheduled for December 5 in 2026. Details and any registration links are on the museum's events page. For a Christmas train ride, the Strasburg Rail Road across the road is the nearest option.

How long does it take to see the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania?

Plan at least 90 minutes, which is what Strasburg's visitor guide suggests for the 100-plus locomotives and cars. Families who spend time in Stewart Junction and the street scene, or rail fans reading every sign, can easily stay two to three hours. Last entry is 3:30 pm, so arrive early enough.

Is the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania good for kids?

Yes. Children can stand beside full-size locomotives, explore the 1915 street scene and Steinman Station, and play and learn in Stewart Junction, the museum's interactive railway education center. The museum also runs scouting programs, summer camps and Sensory Saturday for kids who prefer a calmer visit.

Is the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania wheelchair accessible?

The museum says it is accessible to people with disabilities and will accommodate special needs on advance request. Because access to some areas or exhibits may be limited for safety, staffing or preservation reasons, call (717) 687-8628 ahead to talk through your visit. The Pennsylvania TDD relay service is 800-654-5984.

Can I use the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania archives?

Yes. The museum's library and archives hold more than half a million photographs and documents, and an online database of library and archives material is updated monthly on its website. Research services and archive ordering are also available. Send questions to research@rrmuseumpa.org.

Does the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania offer group and school tours?

Yes. Groups can choose self-guided, guided and special tours, with a 20-minute docent orientation and free admission for the escort and bus driver. Advance reservations are required. Tour operators should call (717) 983-0015, and schools, scouts and homeschool groups should contact the museum educator at (223) 777-3926.

Are there jobs at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania?

The museum is administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, so paid positions are state roles, and the restoration program uses a small paid team. The museum's visitor pages do not list current openings. Ask the museum at info@rrmuseumpa.org, or look into volunteering, which the restoration program relies on heavily.

When did the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania open?

The museum opened to the public in April 1975. The state legislature created it in 1963, Strasburg was chosen as the site in 1965, the turntable and yard tracks went in during 1970 and 1971, and the building was finished between 1972 and 1974. It was the first building in North America made specifically as a railroad museum.

Who runs the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania?

The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission administers the museum, with active support from the nonprofit Friends of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. The Friends, chartered in 1983, raise money for education, restoration and building projects and run the Whistle Stop Shop. Volunteers do a large share of the hands-on restoration work.

What is near the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania?

The Strasburg Rail Road is directly across the road, the Choo Choo Barn is in Strasburg, and the National Toy Train Museum is about a mile away. Farther out, the Ma and Pa Railroad Heritage Village is about 20 miles away, and the Stewartstown and West Chester railroads are roughly 28 to 30 miles away.

Keep exploring

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Kelsey Cecil
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