Tucked into the rolling farmland of Lancaster County, surrounded by silos, pastures, and the gentle clip-clop of Amish buggies, Strasburg is a town that moves to a slower rhythm. And oddly enough, it's trains that steal the show here.
The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania: History on Wheels
The star attraction in town is the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania and whether you’re a die-hard railfan or just someone who remembers the sound of distant whistles from childhood, this place is worth every minute.
We walked into the massive indoor exhibit hall and were instantly transported. Over 100 historic locomotives and railcars, from sleek silver streamliners to soot-covered workhorses of the steam era, are lined up on real tracks like a living timeline of American transportation.
What struck us immediately was how interactive and up close everything is. You can walk right up to these steel giants, peek inside the cabs, and even climb into a few. There’s something about standing under the towering wheels of a 100-ton locomotive that makes you feel small in the best possible way.
A Walk Through American Industrial Glory
Each train tells a story. There’s the glamorous PRR GG1, a sleek electric engine that once powered high-speed trains between New York and Washington. There’s a mail car you can walk through, complete with sorting slots and canvas bags, and a caboose outfitted just as it would’ve been for the train crews who lived in them.
It’s not just about machines—it’s about the people who ran them, rode them, and depended on them. The museum does an incredible job honoring railroad workers, innovation, and everyday life across the eras.There are both indoor and outdoor displays of countless trains and cars.
There’s also a working model train room that mesmerizes kids and grown-ups alike, and an outdoor yard where even more cars are on display, some in pristine condition, others showing their age in the most beautiful, weathered way.
Just Across the Tracks: Strasburg Rail Road
As if that wasn’t enough train magic for one town, directly across the street from the museum is the Strasburg Rail Road—America’s oldest continuously operating railroad.
We hopped on a vintage steam train and rode through Amish country, past fields and grazing horses, in a railcar with open windows and wooden benches. There’s something kind of magical about the steady chug-chug of the engine and the way the smoke billows past the window. It’s a short ride, but it feels like time travel.
More Than Trains (But Still Mostly Trains)
Strasburg is small, but there’s charm everywhere you look. There are antique shops, ice cream parlors, and rolling farmland perfect for a casual bike ride or picnic. You’re also just a short drive from Lancaster, Bird-in-Hand, and other towns with Amish markets, homemade pretzels, and roadside farm stands selling root beer in Mason jars.
Even if you’re not a "train person" going in, it’s almost impossible not to become one while you're here.
Final Thoughts: The Town Where Trains Still Matter
Strasburg is a place where the past isn’t just remembered—it’s lived. Where locomotives aren’t just museum pieces, but honored like old friends. And where the click-clack of wheels on rails still echoes across the fields.
If you’re looking for a trip that’s off the beaten path but full of heart, history, and some seriously cool machinery, Strasburg is a stop worth making.
If You Go:
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The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania is open year-round, but check for seasonal hours.
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Combine your visit with a ride on the Strasburg Rail Road—tickets often sell out on weekends.
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Kids will love the Hands-On Train Exhibit, and adults might secretly love it even more.
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Wear comfy shoes—you’ll want to explore every inch.
