We Bet You Didn’t Know This Small Town In Pennsylvania Was Home To The Oldest Continuously Operating Railroad In America
A visit to Pennsylvania often offers a glimpse back in time. With its rich history, the commonwealth is not surprisingly home to some of the oldest destinations in America. From the oldest residential street in the United States to the oldest ice cream shop in America, so much cultural history lurks around every corner. Tucked in a small Pennsylvania town is also the oldest railroad in America.
A trip to the darling small town of Strasburg, with a population of just over 3,100, inevitably means a stop at a few of its railroad-themed attractions – the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, the National Toy Train Museum, and the Choo Choo Barn.
However, the highlight of any trip to Strasburg is, arguably, a visit to the oldest continuously operating railroad in America. Catch a ride aboard one of its scenic trains for an unforgettable adventure.
Sporting the nickname “the train town,” Strasburg has played an important role in the area, serving as a pit stop for travelers since it was founded in the late 1690s.
It wasn’t until June of 1832 that the Strasburg Rail Road came into existence, serving as a short-line railroad that helped connect an area feed mill to larger railroads in Pennsylvania.
Strasburg Rail Road almost met its end after World War II when it fell into disrepair. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission didn’t see much point in repairing it until railroad fans banded together to save the now-historic railroad.
They succeeded. A passenger train left the station in 1959, signaling the rebirth of the railroad, and the following year the railroad bought its first steam engine locomotive.
Today, Strasburg Rail Road earns the title of the oldest continuously operating short-line railroad in Pennsylvania, but it’s so much more than that. It’s a popular destination for railroad fans.
Strasburg Railroad takes adventurers on scenic trips on its historic trains, which wind past the farmland of Amish country. It also offers themed railroad rides throughout the year, including murder mystery trains, and hosts Easter, Halloween and Christmas events.
Did you know that Strasburg Rail Road is the oldest continuously operating railroad in America? Have you climbed aboard one of its trains? Share your experience in the comments! While you’re in Strasburg, you might want to check out one of the most haunted cemeteries in Pennsylvania.
Address: Strasburg Rail Road, 301 Gap Rd, Ronks, PA 17572, USA
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