A Strasburg Vacation Memoir...

[Kooljock1]

Hey all, just got back from our family vacation to Strasburg, PA. First, let me say my wife and children are some of the most patient people to walk the planet!

Having said that, we arrived in Strasburg last Thursday afternoon, and checked into The Red Caboose motel. For those of you who've never stayed there, it's the equivilent of "roughing it". The beds are soft and lumpy, the pillows hard, and the plumbing somewhat lacking...especially when five people are using the bathroom! Still, it was great fun for the kids, and you couldn't beat the view of watching steam-powered passenger trains running through the corn fields just 1-hundred yards away. The kids also LOVED the on-site petting zoo area, and went there first thing in the morning, and last thing in the evening. Just stay away from the restaurant. We tried lunch, and I felt my life s-l-o-w-l-e-y ebbing away while waiting for the food, the dessert, the check, etc...

Almost within walking distance is the Strasburg Railroad. Actually, it is in walking distance, it's just that I was the only one willing to walk. This is a first-class tourist operation, and when we arrived, they had three engines steamed-up, including the #475, #90, and a former CPR #89. The cars are all beautifully restored, as is the on-site water tower, switch tower, and out-buildings. The whole operation screams "tourist trap", but tastefully so, and is in definite contrast to the seedy image of Steamtown in Scranton. And if you're seeking a real-railroading expereince, then you should leave and go to a first-class railroading museum. Luckily, there's one right across the street!

The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania is what the Smithsonian would be like if they only did trains...IT'S THAT GOOD! A terrific collection of steam, electric, and diesel...both freight and passenger rolling stock...all heavy on the P-Company, but others were included too. If you consider yourself a bit of a ferroequinologist, this is a MUST visit for you.

If you stay at The Red Caboose, and walk out past the orange and blue "LIONEL LINE" N5c cabin car, you'll end up at TCA headquarters: The National Toy Train Museum. This was also my first visit. What a facility! I really liked the almost full-sized LIONEL gold-transport car filled with the greatest items in toy trains. Everything from the hand-built "Electric Express" from 1902 LIONEL, to the 700E, to a mint-mint Blue Comet was in there. It gave me the shivers! There were FIVE operating layouts, plus a big-screen TV showing train videos. When I was there I saw our good friend Elliot(Big Boy) showing off his old "Entertrainment" layout. A BIG boy on a BIG screen! Whadda hoot.
If I had but one suggestion for the TCA folks, it would be to provide in-depth descriptions to the displays. While I was there, I over-heard several visitors who had absolutely no idea of the signifigance of the items they were looking at. It seemed sad to see them waltz past the truly worthwhile displays.

Finally, I got to the Strasburg Train Shop, but the family put their collective feet down when I wanted to go to The Choo Choo Barn next door. THAT I'll save for another vacation!

Jon [8D]

[spankybird]

Great Report Jon,[tup]

They miss one of the really great layout by not going to the Choo Choo Barn. [:(]

Did you by chance take any pics to share with us [?]

[Anonymous]

I was wondering about the old ex Ma and Pa coaches that used to sit beyond the engine shops awaiting restoration. Were they still there?

The eating can be slow in the Dutch country. Sometimes life is not very fast compared to what you may have been used to from home.

Be sure to check the choo choo barn's schedule when you go next time, I think they do close for several months at a time a year.

[Big_Boy_4005]

Strasburg is train heaven!!! Ditto with Tom, no Choo Choo Barn? You have me beat though, I've never stayed in a caboose. I don't know, what it is Jon? It seems like everywhere you look, they're playing that video. I didn't realize that the TCA had made me a "poster child" for our "disease". It sounds like you have a great family, to follow you on "daddy's dream vacation".[swg]

[Kooljock1]

Yeah Elliot...that was my first thought too!: "there he is again!" It was pretty kool to watch the movie, while being able to see a MINT 400E pulling a dozen red hoppers around the loop only a few feet away.

As far as the MA & PA coaches, they were still there awaiting their "treatment" . There was also a completely disassembled engine with "CUMBERLAND" on the tender outside of the restoration shop. I didn't get to do the shop tour, so I don't know all of the answers to the next projects, except that the PRR Broadway Limited Obs "Mountain Top" will be the next fully restored car across the street, with the plan to couple her to the 4935 GG-1. Also "Old Rivets" #4800 is completely stripped, and awaiting her turn in the paint shop. The K4s, L1s, E6, B6, and A5 all had their boiler jacketing removed along with their domes. I saw some newly tooled domes awaiting their installation outside the shops.

Jon [8D]

[GregM]

Jon,

Wife and I are planning on going to Strasburg this October during York week. Sounds like we will get our moneys worth. Thanks for the write up.

[4kitties]

Having done it once, I can state that going to the York meet and Strasburg the same weekend is about as fun as it gets. My wife and I have been to Strasburg many, many times and have never been disappointed (except off-season when the Choo Choo Barn and the TCA Museum are closed.) I will echo the quality of the displays, and the Choo Choo Barn is a must-see.

Also, Cherry Crest Farm (http://www.amazingmaze.com) is very close to the train station and actually is right on the rail line. Its Amazing Maize Maze is open on Fridays and Saturdays in October, and it well worth doing. If you're not up to that the farm has plenty of other attractions and their yummy roasted corn is like nothing I've ever tasted - just great!