Strasburg Rail Road, Pennsylvania

Written By Kelsey Cecil

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

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain rides

The Strasburg Rail Road, chartered in 1832, is America's oldest short line railroad, and today its steam locomotives pull narrated 45-minute round trips from East Strasburg to Paradise through about 2,500 acres of Lancaster County farmland.

  • Chartered in 1832
  • Five working steam locomotives
  • 45-minute round trip to Paradise
  • Wooden dining car you can ride
  • Thomas the Tank Engine lookalike
  • About 300,000 riders a year

Strasburg Rail Road at a glance

Hours
Train times vary by date; check the Train Schedule and Book Tickets page
Admission
Ticket prices vary by date and seat class (Coach, Open Air, First Class, Dining); see the website
Train rides
Narrated 45-minute steam train round trips to Paradise, plus special event trains
Seasonal events
Day Out With Thomas, Santa's Paradise Express, Santa Claus Limited, Night Before Christmas, Easter Bunny Trains, The Haunting of Pumpkin Junction, The Brakeman's Curse, Wine & Cheese Train Rides, Dinner on the Rails, Whiskey on the Rails, #475 In-Cab Experience
Plan for
About 2 to 3 hours including the 45-minute ride and the station
Best for
Families with young kids and anyone who wants to ride behind steam
Best ages
Toddlers and up

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

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Strasburg Rail Road? 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.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

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

A farm town railroad that rail fans refused to let go

In the early 1830s, Strasburg's business owners worried that the new Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad would pass them by. They asked the state for a line of their own, and on June 9, 1832, Governor George Wolf signed the charter for the Strasburg Rail Road. The line was likely graded by 1835 and running by 1837, pulled by horses until a secondhand Norris steam locomotive called the William Penn arrived in 1851. Its main job for decades was to carry passengers and freight to an interchange with the Pennsylvania Railroad.

The little railroad passed through several owners, survived a costly fire in 1871 and lost riders when streetcars reached Strasburg in 1908. By 1958, after years of thin freight business and storm damage from Hurricane Hazel, the Homsher estate filed to abandon it. Two Lancaster rail fans, Henry K. Long and Donald E. L. Hallock, organized a small group to buy the line, and the purchase closed on November 1, 1958. A week later it hauled a carload of freight to a Strasburg mill, and tourist excursions followed.

The first steam locomotive arrived in 1960, and the railroad has grown into one of Pennsylvania's top visitor destinations, carrying about 300,000 passengers a year. It celebrated its 175th anniversary in 2007 and received a state historical marker in May 2011. Behind the scenes it is still a working railroad: its shops restore locomotives and cars for other railroads and museums, and its freight department has grown again since 2008, opening a new freight yard in 2023.

Steam, farmland and a busy little station

The signature ride is the Daily Excursion Train, a fully narrated 45-minute round trip behind a steam locomotive from East Strasburg to Leaman Place near Paradise. You choose your seat: Coach, Open Air, First Class or the Dining Car. The view is mostly Amish farm fields and open countryside, and a share of each ticket goes to the Lancaster Farmland Trust to help keep that land farmed.

Around the station there is plenty to fill the time before or after your train. The railroad has five working steam engines and about 20 operating passenger cars, including the President's Car and a wooden dining car. Families also find the 15-inch gauge Pint-Sized Pufferbelly, a riding miniature steam train, along with a vintage pump car, 1930s cranky cars, gift shops, a general store, a toy store and Cafe 1832.

Don’t miss

  1. No. 475Built by Baldwin in 1906 for the Norfolk and Western, it is the railroad's oldest steam engine and the only operable 4-8-0 twelve-wheeler in North America.
  2. No. 90A 1924 2-10-0 and the biggest steam engine on the roster, it is the locomotive many visitors picture when they think of Strasburg.
  3. No. 31Built by Baldwin in 1908 as Canadian National No. 7312, it joined the railroad in 1960 and was the first steam locomotive returned to revenue passenger service in the U.S.
  4. The Lee E. Brenner Dining CarStrasburg runs the only operating wooden dining car in the country where riders can eat a meal on the move.
  5. The Pint-Sized PufferbellyA working 15-inch gauge Cagney steam train at the station, sized just right for small riders.
  6. Lancaster, Oxford and Southern motor carA rare 1915 self-propelled railcar that once ran on narrow gauge track in southern Lancaster County.

Thomas, Santa and a train just their size

Young children usually love the open air cars, where they can hear the whistle and smell the coal smoke, and 45 minutes is a manageable length for most toddlers. Back at the station, the Pint-Sized Pufferbelly, the pump car and the cranky cars give kids something to ride themselves, and families often mention the toy store and play area. Between April and October, you can pack a lunch and eat at the picnic grove along the line before heading back.

The railroad's own Thomas, a 1917 Porter engine rebuilt in 1998 to look like the storybook tank engine, appears for Day Out With Thomas events. Birthday packages for kids under 12 let you reserve a whole car for the ride to Paradise and back, with lunch on board or at the picnic grove.

Plan your visit: tips for Strasburg Rail Road

  • Book online by date; special event trains like Christmas and Thomas often have limited seats.
  • From April to October, bring a lunch to eat at the picnic grove along the line.
  • Groups of 15 or more get discounted Coach and Open Air tickets and 10% off in the gift shop.
  • The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania is across the road, so you can pair both in one day.
  • Birthday parties are not offered during Christmas trains, Day Out With Thomas or Easter Bunny trains.

Christmas is a big season here. Santa's Paradise Express pairs a meal in the dining car with a visit from Santa, the Santa Claus Limited carries families through the farmland, and on Night Before Christmas trains a cast recites the Clement Clarke Moore poem while carolers sing. In the fall, The Haunting of Pumpkin Junction turns the ride into a family mystery. Compare more options in our guides to Pennsylvania Christmas train rides and Halloween train rides in Pennsylvania.

Crews, shop workers and a railroad still at work

The Strasburg Rail Road Company runs the trains, staffs the station and keeps its five steam engines in service, at a cost the railroad puts at about $150,000 a year for locomotive maintenance. Its shop crews also restore equipment for other railroads and museums. Riding the train, shopping the gift shops and booking a group trip all support the line, and a portion of every ticket goes to the Lancaster Farmland Trust.

Strasburg's other train stops

The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania is directly across Gap Road, and the Choo Choo Barn layout is also in Strasburg. The National Toy Train Museum is about a mile away. For a longer road trip, see our list of train museums and rides in Pennsylvania.

Every train museum in Pennsylvania

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of Rally the corgi dreaming about his toy turtle, green bone and yellow ball
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

Before his big trip in our book, Rally packs his turtle toy, his green bone and his yellow ball. I smile thinking about families here packing lunches for the picnic grove at Paradise, deciding what has to come along for the ride. My mom dreamed up Rally's story before she died in 2021, and you can read how it came together 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 Strasburg Rail Road?

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.

Strasburg Rail Road: 20 questions families ask

Where is the Strasburg Rail Road?

The station is at 301 Gap Road, Ronks, PA 17572, just east of the borough of Strasburg in Lancaster County. That is why you will see both Strasburg and Ronks in its address. The mailing address is PO Box 96, Strasburg, PA 17579, and the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania is directly across Gap Road.

How much does it cost to ride the Strasburg Rail Road?

Prices depend on the date and the class of seat you choose: Coach, Open Air, First Class or the Dining Car. Special event trains such as Christmas, Thomas and the dinner trains are priced separately. Fares change by date, so check the Train Schedule and Book Tickets page on strasburgrailroad.com.

How do I buy Strasburg Rail Road tickets?

Book online through the Train Schedule and Book Tickets page, where you can browse by date and choose your seat class. For ticket, event and general questions, email srrtrain@strasburgrailroad.com or call 1-800-514-3849. Booking ahead is wise for Christmas trains and Day Out With Thomas, which have limited seats.

Is there a Strasburg Rail Road promo code or discount?

The railroad does not post public promo codes on its website. The clearest posted discount is for groups: parties of 15 or more get a reduced rate on Coach and Open Air tickets and 10% off gift shop purchases. Email groups@strasburgrailroad.com, and join the railroad's mailing list for news of offers.

What are the Strasburg Rail Road hours?

Train departure times change by date and season, so the railroad points visitors to its online Train Schedule and Book Tickets page rather than posting one set of hours. Pick your date there to see that day's trains. Call 1-800-514-3849 if you have questions about a specific day.

Is the Strasburg Rail Road open today?

The Daily Excursion Train runs on most dates, but the schedule varies by season and special events. Check the date on the railroad's online ticket calendar or its Facebook page for any changes, especially in winter or during bad weather. You can also call 1-800-514-3849 for the latest information.

How long is the Strasburg Rail Road train ride?

The regular excursion is a 45-minute, fully narrated round trip from East Strasburg to Leaman Place near Paradise and back. Some special trains run longer: The Brakeman's Curse is about 60 minutes, The Haunting of Pumpkin Junction about 70 minutes, and A Night of Smoke and Silk about five hours.

How far does the Strasburg Rail Road train go?

The train runs from East Strasburg to Leaman Place Junction in Paradise, where the line meets Amtrak's Keystone Corridor. The railroad describes the outing as a 9-mile round trip through about 2,500 acres of Amish farmland, while Wikipedia lists about 4 miles of track. Either way, the ride itself takes 45 minutes.

Does the Strasburg Rail Road have Thomas the Tank Engine?

Yes. The railroad's Thomas is a real 0-6-0 steam engine built by the Porter Company in 1917. Strasburg bought it in 1998 and remodeled it to look like the storybook character. Thomas appears at Day Out With Thomas events, so check the special events page for dates and tickets.

How do I get Day Out With Thomas tickets at Strasburg?

Day Out With Thomas is a special event train, so tickets are sold for set dates through the railroad's events page and online ticketing rather than as a regular excursion. Seats are limited, and birthday party packages are not offered during the event. Watch the Strasburg Rail Road website and Facebook page for when the dates are announced.

Does the Strasburg Rail Road run Christmas trains?

Yes, several. Santa's Paradise Express serves a meal in the dining car with a visit from Santa, the Santa Claus Limited brings Santa aboard a holiday ride, and Night Before Christmas trains feature a cast reciting the classic poem plus carolers. Santa's Paradise Express is marked limited availability, so book early.

What upcoming events does the Strasburg Rail Road have?

As of October 2026, the railroad lists The Brakeman's Curse, The Haunting of Pumpkin Junction, A Night of Smoke and Silk, Christmas trains, Wine and Cheese Train Rides, Dinner on the Rails by Cafe 1832, Whiskey on the Rails and a #475 In-Cab Experience. Easter Bunny Trains and Day Out With Thomas also appear on its calendar.

Can you have a birthday party at the Strasburg Rail Road?

Yes. Birthday options for children under 12 let you reserve a whole train car for the 45-minute ride to Paradise and back, with add-ons available. The team can arrange lunch from the menu or boxed lunches, eaten on board or at the picnic grove. Parties are not available during Christmas, Thomas or Easter Bunny trains.

Is the Strasburg Rail Road a museum?

Not exactly. It is a working heritage railroad that runs steam excursions, freight service and a locomotive restoration shop, though its historic engines and cars make it feel like a living museum. The separate Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, a state museum, sits directly across Gap Road, and many families visit both.

What are Strasburg Rail Road mechanical services?

The railroad's mechanical and car shops maintain and restore locomotives and rolling stock for outside clients, including other railroads, steam operators, train museums and heavy industry. The shops were enlarged to 30,000 square feet in 2016 and 2017 to keep up with demand. Contact the railroad directly for business inquiries.

Who owns the Strasburg Rail Road?

The line is run by the Strasburg Rail Road Company. In 1958, when the Homsher estate filed to abandon it, Lancaster rail fans Henry K. Long and Donald E. L. Hallock organized a group that bought the railroad, completing the purchase on November 1, 1958. For questions about the company today, contact the railroad directly.

What steam locomotives run at the Strasburg Rail Road?

The railroad has five working steam engines: No. 475, a 1906 Baldwin 4-8-0; No. 90, a 1924 2-10-0 and the largest; No. 89, a 1910 2-6-0 often used on shorter trains; No. 31, a 1908 Baldwin 0-6-0; and Thomas, a 1917 Porter 0-6-0. Each 45-minute trip burns about half a ton of coal.

Can you eat on the Strasburg Rail Road?

Yes. The Dining Car serves meals on board, and Cafe 1832 runs special Dinner on the Rails trips. At the station there is a cafe and general store, and from April to October you can bring your own lunch to the picnic grove along the line. Group birthday parties can add boxed lunches too.

Is the Strasburg Rail Road good for toddlers?

Yes, it is one of the easier train rides for little ones. The trip is only 45 minutes, open air cars let them hear and see the engine, and back at the station they can ride the miniature Pint-Sized Pufferbelly, a pump car and cranky cars. Thomas and Santa events are especially popular with young kids.

What else is near the Strasburg Rail Road?

The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania is across the road, the Choo Choo Barn is in Strasburg, and the National Toy Train Museum is about a mile away. A little farther, the Ma and Pa Railroad Heritage Village is about 20 miles away, and the Stewartstown, West Chester and Reading and Northern railroads are all 28 to 30 miles away.

Keep exploring

More family train guides from Rally

Kelsey Cecil
Previous

Train Museums in Maine: Every Railroad Museum by Town
Next

Tennessee Central Railway Museum in Nashville, Tennessee