Toy train operating and collecting
Interested in O gauge, S gauge, and Standard gauge toy trains? Are you a fan of Lionel, MTH, American Flyer, and other brands of toy trains made today and in the past? If so, the Classic Toy Trains Toy train operating and collecting forum is just for you. If you're new here, please read our forum policies.
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humming bird
Joined on
12-13-2007
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My wife and I went to visit some very good friends in Hershy Penn, while we were there we went to the Strasburg railroad in Lancaster Co. Penn. It's quite a place, they have serveral operating steam loco's there, and ton's of boxcars, all original, you can visit the shop and see them working on the steamers, go to the Strasburg railroad museum, and even take a train ride pulled by a steam loco. It's not just a tourist attraction, it's an actual working railroad, the Strasburg is America's oldest shortline (1832). I also went to the Strasburg trainshop and got two MTH box cars, and a Strasburg railroad engineers cap!! If any of you guys are ever in Penn, I highly recommend spending a day there, it's really a good time. Paul
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fifedog
Joined on
04-06-2006
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If you can't get your train "fix" in Strasburg, you ain't got a pulse... Hey humming bird, did you check out the TCA Museum?
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Joe Hohmann
Joined on
07-13-2006
Media, PA
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Living only an hour away, I go often with 1 to 7 Grandkids in tow. Within walking distance to the RR is the PRR Museum, the TCA Museum, the Choo-Choo Barn's large animated layout, and a few train stores. You can even sleep in a caboose at the Red Caboose Motel. For the "non-train" person, it's in the middle of "Amish Country". Check schedules before you go. Much of this stuff is closed from Jan 1- April. Joe
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JimM
Joined on
01-14-2007
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We get there at least once per year as we live about an hour away too. Anyway, I always wondered WHY don't they have a Lionel O Gauge set of the Strasburg Railway? I mean, have an engine stamped with the #90 or whatever one matches any of the other real engines. Also, have some of the passenger cars reproduced with the names on them, such as CherryCrest, or any of the others. Just wondering. There is a GREAT train shop http://www.etrainshop.com/ just down the street a 1/4 mile. Right next to the Choo Choo Barn where they have a GIANT layout of the Strasburg area. Also, up the road in the opposite direction they have the BEST Toy Train Museum. http://www.nttmuseum.org/ BUT, I am sure I am not telling you "local" guys anything.... This is for the other folks that aren't from around the "Lancaster" area. http://www.strasburgrailroad.com/ Jim
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humming bird
Joined on
12-13-2007
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Yep, It's a neat place alright, Im from Illinois but my wife and I try and make it out to Pa as often as we can to visit some very close friends. We did'nt have alot of time at the Strasburg RR, but we're planning a trip back there this 4th of July for the Gettysburg re-enactments, and we've set aside a whole day for the Strasburg RR. Paul
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Joe Hohmann
Joined on
07-13-2006
Media, PA
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One thing to check out before your visit is whether or not it's Thomas the Tank Engine week (I think 3 per year). If you have young kids, be sure to get reserved tickets before hand from the Strasburg RR website. If you don't have kids, stay away from the place, because it's a mob scene (lines, shuttles to distant parking, etc.). Joe
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Anthony SRR
Joined on
11-26-2007
Long Island, New York
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I LOVE STRASBURG RAILROAD! It is the best place in the world. I have even started to model it using the Lionel 2-6-0 to make CN No.89. I also found some coach kits that match the coaches, so I'm doing pretty well in modeling. The new MTH coaches would be perferct for modeling as well Anthony
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billbarman
Joined on
05-14-2007
New york
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Man, the memories. Ive been going to strasburg every december since I was 4. Its been great every time. Nice to see some steamers in action. Also the PRR Museum Is also very nice and conveniantly across the street! Tons of locmotives steam and Diesel there. If you like trains its like heaven.
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PhilaKnight
Joined on
07-29-2007
Philadelphia
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Took my son to "A Day With Thomas" and I think I had more fun than my son. We live only a hour away and i plan to make it a yearly thing. 
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deleted
Joined on
10-14-2003
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I have memories of that railroad from my time as a child. It was a good safe place for children and families in particular to be introduced to steam and make a day of it. Just posting here I can just about hear and see #31 working hard and whistling for the Esebenshade Crossing. The one engine that was much enjoyed was the 4-4-0 D class from the PRR. That one has been placed into the PRR Museum, probably never to be run again. We would refer to number 90 as the big engine. (Little did I know back then there were bigger engines across the road. =) That photo of the M1 4-8-2 tells me that she didnt weather very well these last few decades. Hopefully they are trying to keep her decent along with the others.
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JimM
Joined on
01-14-2007
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I FORGOT to mention.... the Strasburg Railway is available to guys that "play/use" with the MS train simulator! I have the Strasburg RW and all the trains just like the real thing, and I have to tell ya... it is like being there (for a game). The scenery, cars and engines are available at http://www.train-sim.com/ too! I "think" the way I found all the cars and engines was, I just went to train-sim and did a search for Strasburg. Found all of it that way. Of course, if you don't have MSTS, then, don't waste your time downloading any of it. Because you NEED the Microsoft Train Simulator to use it. If you want just the scenery/route, look for: strasbrg.zip Jim
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Kooljock1
Joined on
01-23-2001
Colchester, Vermont
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I took this one at Strasburg in October on the last day of York:  Jon ![Cool [8D]](/trccs/emoticons/icon_smile_cool.gif)
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jefelectric
Joined on
12-06-2003
Central PA
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It sure is a great train area. I spend one day a week at the National Toy Train Museum as a volunteer. And stop in at the PA rail musuem on a regular basis as well as the RR and train shops in the area. Feel very fortunate to live nearby.
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dbaker48
Joined on
12-20-2005
Sunny So. Cal.
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I certainly enjoyed my visit there! But then I had an excellant tour guide. I found the PRR museum one of the best I've ever been to.
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Joe Hohmann
Joined on
07-13-2006
Media, PA
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One of the things my 3 year-old Grandson loves, is being able to get into the cab of one of the large steamers at the PRR Museum to "play engineer". One day, he spent a half hour in it! Our modular group sets-up our layout at the museum twice a year for their special event weekends. We get to show our hobby to people who are interested in trains, but may not be into the model train aspect of it. My biggest thrill was getting a ride in the cab of the Strasburg RR's #475 two summers ago. I had been doing a photo essay of the RR, and later gave the fireman a framed photo of himself in the cab window. This, to my surprise, resulted in the invitation. Joe
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