I'm thinking of a summer trip with my 11 yr old grandson, to incorporate a train ride and some better train museums (2-3). I remember the Baltimore roundhouse museum in the 60's and am aware of the national museum near Scranton and the Strasburg RR in PA. We could train ride to DC, see those three and a few other non-train things and fly back to TX. Question...what 2-3 museums should this center around? I really don't know how to select the best within a reasonable radius. Options include anything east of the Mississippi. Thanks for any suggestions.
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
Don't miss Strasburg, PA. Full size Thomas the train loco. A 2-10-0 also. Oldest operating short line.
Scranton is a great place with a trolley connection/museum next to the yard.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strasburg_Rail_Road
Look at Google Maps for the relative locations of all the places.
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL880CAAB71F71FFFD
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
If you have never been to Steamtown, you can walk through the roundhouse and see a loco being readied in the morning. A walkway allows you right in front of the loco.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=panO7E_YRk8
I made the below video below to show you how close you can get. Not the best but you get the idea.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXbz4T0foVQ&list=UUFm3SKcV1PSR2tzY5aJZmXw&index=2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Lr8HX9OVTM&list=UUFm3SKcV1PSR2tzY5aJZmXw
When do you plan to be in the area? Generally sometime around the Jul 4 holiday it is Reading Railroad Days at the museum in Strasburg, and besides all the real trains to look at, the Reading Company Technical and Historical Society is thre with a huge modular HO model layout, it's one of the few venues we can put up the whole thing, over 130 feet long.
Definitely worth the trip, since the operating railroad is literally across the street, and lots of places nearby to experience good old PA Dutch cooking. Also there is Choo Choo Barn, an operating display, plus the TCA Museum with a great college of tinplate and hi-rail, and operating layouts.
A bit over an hour away from there is another operating railroad, the WK&S, operates over a former Reading branch with actually a longer trip than Strasburg's. And near that is Roadside America, kind of the grandaddy of all those display layouts.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
A little to the south is the Cass Scenic RR in West Virginia, within an easy drive from the DC area or south from Penn. Excellent ride, real steam action, interesting displays.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
If you go to Steamtown and/or Strausburg, take a look at going on the back shop tour. At both places, the tour is run at noon while the workers are at lunch. You get to see the shop areas and locomotives that are being restored. The tour is limited to 6 or 8 people, so sign up early in the day.
Also, across the street from Strausburg, do not miss the Pennsylvania RR museum. They have a large collection of lonomotives and rolling stock both inside and outside. Everything from a replica 1840s locomotive to a GG-1 and EMD E series diesel.
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
If you're going to be in the D.C. area, Steamtown/Scranton is going to be at least a 6-hour drive.
Strasburg is closer to 4 hours from DC.
Probably take about 3 hours to get from Steamtown to Strasburg as the roads don't run from one to the other, although both are off the PA Turnpike - Strasburg on the east-west part (I-76) and Steamtown off the Northeast extension (I-476)
The B&O museum and Strasburg are feasible in a weekend, but you wouldn't really want to do both in one day.
Same with Steamtown/Strasburg.
Steamtown is still on my list of places to go. I haven't seen the other two since I was a kid, but rode the Strasburg Railroad about two years ago. It's a short trip, but for kids, that's probably a plus!
Eric
I wish I was a headlight
On a northbound train
I know it's at least a four hour ride from DC, but you could check out the Virginia Museum of Transportation and the O. Winston Link Museum in Roanoke. You can see both N&W 611 and 1218 as well as a Virgianian EL-C rectifier.
Modeling the Pennsylvania Railroad in N Scale.
www.prr-nscale.blogspot.com
I know you said you know, but I first vote for Strasburg RR and Museum as well...there is also a large Model train shop at Strasburg, too!!!
.Strasburg Rail Road - Lancaster County, Pennsylvania RR Museum of PA :: Welcome
I would second to Steamtown, but only if you go on a day when they are actually running steam and not just the vintage diesel. An excursion day is {almost} guaranteed they are running steam as well....Yes you Can get tinto the roundhouse as they ready the steamer and there is cut out in one of the roundhouses display areas with a cutaway loco so you can see all the workings of a steamer....Might be interesting or the young oneSteamtown National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service)
Then, if you are into shays,kinda out in the middle of nowhere is the Cass scenic railroad....Cass Scenic Railroad State Park
I would also check to see if East Broad Top in PA is once again operating but don't count on it...http://www.ebtrr.com/
If you really wnat to go NE, there is in Conecticut the Essex steam train adn Steam boat rides:Welcome to the Essex Steam Train
I hope you have LOADS of fun this summer with yur trip!!!
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
Thanks everyone for the info. If we do this we would rent a car in DC and take our time on some RR and other (e.g., Smithsonian) fun, ending in Philadelphia (Valley Forge, Independence Hall, Franklin Mint?) to fly home. It becomes a matter of days allocated to the trip, plus not "over-doing" it in terms of pace.
The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania is across the street from the Strassburg Railroad. Excellent collection.
The Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum has an excellent interpretive museum, but its rolling stock collection is in the weather, which they are working on. But a plus is that it sits right on the Norfolk Southern (ex-PRR) main line and there is a constant parade of trains. And 15 minutes away is the famous Horseshoe Curve.
Jerry Britton
Modeling the Pennsylvania Railroad's Middle Division in the early 1950s
http://pennsyrr.com
If you're going to have a rental car, Wilmington & Western RR and West Chester RR are both an hour or so drive from Strasburg. New Hope & Ivyland RR and Black River & Western RR are about two hours away. About an hour to the west of Strasburg is the Middletown & Hummlestown RR. The WK&S has already been mentioned.
If you are planning a full day at Strausburg, there is the Caboose Motel (probably not the right name - someone please correct me!). Ther have a number of cabooses set up as overnight cabins.
Also, the Toy Train Museum is just up the road from the motel. Great collection of toy/model trains dating from the late 1800s to 1960s/70s. A number of operating layouts with Lionel tinplate, etc.
That's it, it's the Caboose Motel. All the times I've been there in my life, I've never stayed thre, but I have eaten there a couple of times, and they have an interesting gift shop. The past few years going there with the club, I'm there for a whole week, so I stay at someplace cheaper, that has a pool.
There's now two train shops, the one that used to be right at the Strasburg Railroad closed that location and is now out at the Rockville Outlets, and there is a new one opened next to the Choo Choo Barn. They had a good selection when I visited last year, although there isn't a whole lot of current production that is suitable for my prototype and era, that's not the fault of the shop though, they were well stocked.
It's hard making a whirlwind tour - if you've never been there, there's enough to see around Strasburg with the various museums and train rides to spread over 2 days just there. DC a week might be enough, I had a free day in DC once and all I saw was the Air & Space museum and the Washington Monument - and I really could have spent the entire time in the A&S museum.
Also about an hour north of Strasburg is the Reading Heritage Museum in Hmaburg. First week in July or se we will be at the RR Museum of PA in Strasburg with the modular layout, but the real stuff is all parked up at Hamburg. Logistically that would make sense to hit up that, Roadside America and the WK&S on the way out of Strasburg, then catch the turnpike and head to Philly for the next day.
Ride the Crescent from NOLA to DC. Take a day or two off of the Crescent and spend the day in Salisbury/Spencer NC. (They're right next to each other, as in cross a street from Salisbury into Spencer.
Spencer is site of the North Carolina Transportation Museum, that's located in the old Southern shops at Spencer. You can easily spend to whole day there. On the weekends there are train rides from one end of the property to the other, sometimes pulled by the Ex Graham County shay #25. Part of the museum is they are working to rebuild the old Buffalo Creek and Gauley 2-8-0 #80 IIRC. There's also an antique car museum on property. Directly across the street from the museum is a great train shop, the Little Choo-Choo Shop. Great place to do business.
Spend a day or two there, than climb back on the Crescent into DC, then go on around the museums up there.
Carey
Keep it between the Rails
Alabama Central Homepage
Nara member #128
NMRA &SER Life member
If you are wanting to "not over do it" Strasburg is one compact place to go with lots to do and see, and I would recommend at least two days with one overnight there.
BE SURE, when you go to get a package that includes the Noon Shop tour {while the working staff is off to lunch} it Is Well worth your while! It is only at noon and only for those packages or those who pay the fee.
They run 2 steamers opposite each other, so one is loading in the station while one is out coming back and the twain shall meet at a siding and pass each other...If you are really lucky as the train meets the main line you may get to see {only if you don't blink!} one of the HIGHER SPEED NorthEast corridor Amtraks go by- not necessarily the Acela.
At the station is the Thomas the Train shop, the Model Train shop for you {with lots of Model train stuff of all scales}, and the Noon shop tour and the 2 steamers ...get there early and watch them prepare and assemble for the day's runs. Also..if you get there in the middle of the day... you can wander in without paying anything at the RR and "look around" and watch the goings-on- you just can't ride without paying. Then ride the next day. The dinner train is a good ride also in the evening. There is no admission to "get in" or go to the shops.
If you get the package deal WITH the RR Museum of PA, be sure to allow time for that in the early afternoon {like after the NOON shop tour and before the dinner train} Ride the trains in the AM before The NOON shop tour..
Just down the road to the West on rt 741 is another Model Train shop with a large quantity of MR stuff...all scales! Well worth a half a day there too. Next to it is the CHoo CHoo barn and down the road is the toy train museum {or is it the other way around?}
As mentoned, there is the other attractions too...but BEWARE you are in the heart of Amish country...buggies will abound, and every thing closes up shop in Strasburg at 5 PM SHARP- even the restaurants! {except the evening dinner or wine and cheese trains}. GO down 741 W to Strasburg square, enjoy ice cream at the corner store featured on the Travel Channel with Samantha Brown, and go N up Rt 896 {Hartman Road} to RT 30 Which is the nearby "commercial strip" where everything is open all day and night {basically its the 21st century there} and has loads of hotel chains to stay at and places like Friendly's to eat at. It is a busy parkway to the W {of Strasburg}. TO the east takes you down country Amish roads..if you choose to..be careful not to get lost! It can all look the same!
Of course, you can stay at the caboose motel, and stay in cabeese, but it fills up fast and has reservations waiting long in advance.
{While it may seem nice to take pictures of the Amish and Mennonites, they don't like it as to them it is a flase/graven image and they will turn away from you. they will often have a picnic for you to see their ways at the landing/passing siding. Just don't take their pictures to respect them.}
When we go, which is about every 2-3 years, we stay on Rt 30, and spend 3 days {including arrival day} there. to see all Strasburg has to offer it is a leisure activity I think .
{I get around with a cane and have an extrememly bad back so sitting OFTEN is a priority for me, and there is plenty for that between train rides, and the benches and eating in the "dining hall" for lunch}.
I would choose it as a destination.. It has lots to offer all who go..If you have a wife there is a quilt shop {if still there} she can go to..Amish quilts are fascinating!}
One thing: I have never been there when Thomas is running {can't stand mobs of kids and don't have any} so It will be different when he is running. You should see him Static if he isn't on loan to someone else then when you visit however. {He is a real steamer 0-6-0 with a changable face}
Well, I don't know if I sold you or not, but I look forward to going again in 2014....We get the Rail Baron Pass package if they still run - it combines train rides with admission to the RR Museum too, and the Noon shop tour. Then we usually take the dinner or cheese train in the evening for relaxing train ride..It is WELL WORTH THE $$$ it costs..
Going on the idea of riding the Crescent into DC This is what I would suggest...
Day 1 - Crescent leaves New Orleans @ 7AM
Day 2 - Crescent arrives in DC @ 10 AM. Depending on your mobility, you can walk or take a cab to the Smithsonian complex. After your visit, grab a cab to the rental car dealer of your choice and head north to Baltimore. Lodging will be cheaper in the suburbs surrounding Baltimore, but you can sometimes get good deals.
Day 3 - Spend your morning @ the B&O Railroad Museum & your afternoon @ the Inner Harbor in Baltimore. The National Aquarium is in the Inner Harbor and is worth a visit. Afterwards head north up I95 to Philly. Again, lodging in the suburbs is suggested.
Day 4 - Philly. The Constitution Center, Liberty Bell, and Independence Hall are all close together. Also close by; Penn's Landing, Independence Seaport Museum, Fort Mifflin, Reading Terminal Market, and many others. As for the Mint, I am not sure they do tours anymore, call or go online to confirm. Grab some of our famous sandwiches (we call them hoagies) and head west on I76 for a mid afternoon meal and visit to Valley Forge Park. From Valley Forge you are only an hour or so from Strasburg.
Day 5 - Strasburg. A typical day for us is the Pennsylvania RR Museum, an 11AM train ride on the Strasburg RR, and the Noon Shop Tour. For Lunch may I suggest Issac's Just down the street in the Choo Choo Barn complex. in addition to the restaurant there is a much larger Thomas Store, The Strasburg Train Shop, and the Choo Choo Barn Model Train Display. Just down the road in the opposite direction is the TCA Toy Train Museum. Enjoy your day and spend a second night in the Strasburg area
Day 6 - Head west on the PA Turnpike and then up I99 to Altoona. A must see in my opinion is Horseshoe Curve National Historic Site. We like to grab KFC and have a picnic while we watch the trains. If time allows, the Altoona Memorial Railroader's Museum is very well done, and combo tickets for the Curve and the Museum are available at either site. Afterwards, head back down I99 to the Turnpike and head to Pittsburgh. Grab an evening flight home, or spend one last evening in PA and fly home the next day.
This itinerary is suggested because I feel you get the most of what it sounds like your looking for, and I can personally attest that all of these sites are worth visiting.
Good Luck!
Chris Ballinger
Modeling the Clementon Branch of the Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines in HO scale
Thank you ALL for the great info. Now it's time to discuss with the respective supervisors (mine and grandson's). They were initially supportive, we'll see if they buy in to a decision. Sounds like B&O, Strasburg & the Scranton museum are a good core on the RR side, adding some DC and Philadelphia non-RR spots. For me, it will be back to some formerly familar country; i.e., HS in NJ, college in PA, Mom from Phila, brother lived in Bal-i-mer back then.
I'd really enjoy some scrapple & a Philly cheese steak (take a couple weeks off my life).
If you go to the Franklin Institute, be sure to visit the steam locomotive in the basement.
When I was a kid there was a box in the cab with a green button to push that moved the engine back and forth about 3 feet.
That and the walk-through heart are the things there that kids remember forever.
I would recommend Steamtown/Scranton and Strasburg.
Steamtown is truly and adventure. Lots to see and do. Steam train rides on weekends.
Strasburg has the Strasburg Railroad and steam train rides. Across the street is the Pennsylvania RR Museum. In town is the Choo-Choo Barn, a must see for a model railroader and last but not least is the Toy Train Museum just outside of town.
There are short photo essays of our 2005 and 2009 trips to Strasburg and Scranton/Steamtown respectively on my website. Just 'click' on the Railroading button and scroll down to the appropriate thumbnail. There is one for Strasburg, the Pennsylvania RR Museum and Steamtown/Scranton with a side trip to Altoona and Horseshoe Curve.
I'm sure you will have a good time whichever venue you choose.
Remember its your railroad
Allan
Track to the BRVRR Website: http://www.brvrr.com/