I have been to the Strasburg and rode the train, but it was several years ago, and I am up for another visit aftet reading this thread.
I have also been to RoadSide America, thanks for the link to remind us all how cool it is.
One thing that wasn't mentioned in there write up is the lighting, which features automated cycle through a 24 hour day. This is so cool to se the layout go from sunrise through the day to sunset and nighttime. A definite visit for the bucket list.
Aflyer
Thanks rack776, I appreciate the sentiments.
I've been to "Roadside America" as well, cool doesn't begin to describe it. "Stunning" is more like it. Not railroad themed although there are "O" Gauge trains to add some action to the display.
And I got a kick out of your tale about being trapped between two groups of people with, shall we say, hygene deficiencys. Reminds me of a story about the late British actor Ernest Thesiger, if you've seen "Bride of Frankenstein" you've seen him.
He was home on leave from the Western Front during the First World War. A friend asked him what the front was like. "Simply dreadful", he said. "The noise! And the PEOPLE!"
Scrambler81, Rack776 AND all. Thanks so much.
Firelock76 Ah yes, that diabolical Choo-Choo Barn. Why diabolical? Well, you go in and see the massive and incredible layout with all its wonders, you get the fever REAL bad, you're hooked solid, and then you exit into a model railroad hobby shop! Diabolical, I tell you! Either that, or it's marketing genius! My God, the money I spent...
Ah yes, that diabolical Choo-Choo Barn. Why diabolical? Well, you go in and see the massive and incredible layout with all its wonders, you get the fever REAL bad, you're hooked solid, and then you exit into a model railroad hobby shop! Diabolical, I tell you!
Either that, or it's marketing genius!
My God, the money I spent...
My first trip to The choo choo barn I learned it only has a narrow path around the layout, I was stuck between 2 slow moving groups of people and neither group knew about deodorant.....I had to take a second trip around to get a more "comfortable" look at everything.
My wallet escaped unharmed by the hobby shop, they carry mostly new items...but I had to watch out they did have some shelves with postwar lionel stuff.
The TCA museum is nice, There is a display Lionel made for a school shop teacher that shows the step by step process of how the prewar commador vanderbuilt locomotive body was stamped out, really cool to see that. I could have stayed all day reading everything. The standard gauge layout was torn down to the bench work for a remodel back in July when I went. I was really looking forward to seeing that. It took us an hour to get through all of it.
Roadside America in Shartlesville PA off I-78 is cool to visit if you go by that way, it has more scenery than trains but it is fun to see. http://www.roadsideamericainc.com/
There's a great place to eat in the Strasburg area, its Jenny's Diner, 2575 Lincoln Highway in Ronks, PA.
Take Route 896 north from Strasburg, make a right on the Lincoln Highway, it's not too far and it'll be on your left.
A real old-time diner, the type where you used to have to show a pack of cigarettes to get in. Don't worry, it's non-smoking now. How good is it? Well, when we were there I ordered a hot turkey sandwich, Lady Firestorm ordered the turkey dinner, and our friend Charlie ordered the pork roast. I got half a turkey on the sandwich, Lady Firestorm got the other half, Charlies pork roast portion was so big it had everything but the "oink!" Great food and plenty of it!
There is a whole lot to do in Strasburg, and in the area surrounding it. I've long considered it my happy place. I don't think I would drive 1.5 hours just to see the Toy Train Museum. I've been there a few times, and while it is really nice, you'd really need to include time for the other 3 train attractions. The Pennsylvania Railroad Museum can easily take up over half a day, and it is well worth it. The ChooChoo Barn can be done in 30 or 45 minutes, and I'm pretty sure there is some type of Man's Law that requires you to stop there if you drive through Lancaster. The Strasburg Railroad? Real, live steam trains pulling restored passenger coaches, a train shed where trans are restored and repaired, and cool little town with shops and food. Need I say more?
I try to get there at least once a year, even if it is just to hit the ChooChoo Barn and have lunch at the railroad. I did fit in the full tour early this year.
By the way - Unless you bring small children, make sure you don't schedule your visit the same week as Thomas the Tank Days. Crowded doesn't begin to cover it.
Firelock76, Nationwidelines, Trainrat, Phillyrreading, Legacy: Thanks, so much.
Sounds like a lot in the area. We do have a time constraint so maybe next time. We'll see. Appreciate all your input.
I would say it depends on how much time you have when you get there. If your going to be in that area you will want to take in the Stasburg railroad and the ChooChoo barn as well as the toy train museum and the railroad museum. That is a lot of ground to cover with probably a minimum of an hour in each. I would say just to hit one of them for the 3 hr drive to and from plus gas I think I would go back when I had more time.
Yes, visit the museum and go to the Choo Choo barn which is a mile or less away. Right in front of the TCA museum is the red caboose motel.
Roger
I guess you need to determine what your chances of being in the area again are and how much time you have on your upcoming trip.
I have been to the TCA museum a couple of times, but have made the trip when in York for the TCA show, with the museum being about an 45 minutes to an hour from York. I have enjoyed visiting the museum and may go back again this October.
Another nearby attraction is the Pennsylvania Railroad museum, which is about a mile from the TCA museum. This is an interesting attraction in itself.
NWL
I'm assuming you mean the National Toy Train Museum, owned and operated by the TCA. I've been there, I honestly can't say whether it's worth an hour and a half detour out of your way to see it. It IS spectacular though, like Christmas morning gone beserk! If you're really nuts about toy trains then yes, it's worth the detour, but only you can judge for yourself.
My advice would be to make it a destination all it's own sometime. The Strasburg area has a lot of rail related things to see, from the Strasburg Railroad to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. All great sights to see.
It has been suggested that we visit the museum if we were ever in the vicinity. Checking the map and our travel plans, it would require about an hour and a half detour (each way).
If you have ever been to the museum, would you think that the side trip was worth it OR would you suggest that, at some other time, we make it our actual direct destination?
As always, many thanks.
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