Strasburg Rail Road
The Strasburg Rail Road (reporting mark SRC) is the oldest continuously operating railroad in the western hemisphere and the oldest public utility in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Chartered in 1832, the Strasburg Rail Road Company is today a heritage railroad offering excursion trains hauled by steam locomotives and rarely diesel locomotives on 4.5 mi (7.2 km) of track in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, as well as providing freight service to area shippers. Its headquarters are outside Strasburg, Pennsylvania.
 | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Strasburg, Pennsylvania |
| Reporting mark | SRC |
| Locale | Strasburg and Paradise Townships, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania |
| Dates of operation | 1832–present |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Length | 4.5 mi (7.2 km) |
| Other | |
| Website | strasburgrailroad |
Strasburg Railroad | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Strasburg currently has four operating steam locomotives: Great Western No. 90, Canadian National No. 89, Norfolk & Western No. 475 and Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal No. 15 (rebuilt as Thomas the Tank Engine) and the nation's largest operating fleet of historic wooden passenger coaches. The Strasburg Rail Road is one of the few railroads in the US to occasionally use steam locomotives to haul revenue freight trains. It hosts 300,000 visitors per year.[1]
The nearby Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania occasionally uses Strasburg Rail Road tracks to connect to the Amtrak Philadelphia-to-Harrisburg Main Line junction in Paradise, Pennsylvania.
Description
Strasburg Rail Road is a shortline railroad built to connect the town of Strasburg with a main line. Today, the original four and a half miles (7.2 km) line carries passengers on a 45-minute round-trip journey from Strasburg to Leaman Place Junction through nearly 2,000 acres (810 ha) in southeastern Lancaster County.
The train includes the United States' only operational wooden dining car on which visitors may dine while riding. Attractions at the station include the fully operational 15 in (381 mm) gauge Pint-Sized Pufferbelly[2] (Cagney steam-powered ridable miniature railway) a vintage pump car and several c.1930s "cranky cars" along with several gift shops and a cafe.
A percentage of each train ticket is contributed to the Lancaster Farmland Trust.[3]
The railroad's mechanical and car shops maintain and restore locomotives and rolling stock for the Strasburg Rail Road and a wide variety of public and private clients, including fellow steam railroads, train museums, attractions, and more. In 2016–17, the shops were enlarged by 12,000 square feet (1,110 m2) to accommodate demand for their services.
Its freight department carries goods to and from the main line for local and regional clients. Since 2008, freight carloadings have increased substantially, spurred by development of a $1.5 million transshipment facility funded by the railroad and matching grants.[4]
History
By the 1820s, the canal system had replaced the Conestoga wagon as the primary method of overland transportation. When the Susquehanna Canal opened, the majority of goods were directed through Baltimore, Maryland, rather than Philadelphia.[5][6] The small amount of goods that were destined for Philadelphia traveled via a wagon road through Strasburg.[6] Philadelphia attempted to reclaim its position as a major port city by constructing the Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad in 1831. A railroad was easier and more cost effective to build than a canal. Because the new railroad would bypass Strasburg and cause Strasburg to lose its livelihood, a group of businessmen petitioned the state government for the right to build their own railroad to connect Strasburg to the Philadelphia and Columbia.[7] A charter was issued by the Pennsylvania Legislature with the signature of Governor George Wolf on June 9, 1832, to "incorporate the Strasburg rail road [sic]".[8]
Although the pre-1852 history of the Strasburg Rail Road is sketchy, it is believed that the line was graded in 1835 and was operational by 1837.[7][9] The railroad operated as a horse-drawn railroad until it purchased a second-hand Norris-built, 4-2-0 steam locomotive named the William Penn in 1851.[9] Controlling interest in the railroad was purchased by John F. and Cyrus N. Herr in 1863. The rails were replaced around the same time with heavier ones to accommodate the locomotive.[10] In 1866, the Herrs were granted a charter to extend the Strasburg Rail Road to Quarryville; surveys were carried out, but the extension was eventually canceled because of an economic depression in 1867.[11] Isaac Groff managed The Strasburg Rail Road for about 20 years until the fire of January 16, 1871, which destroyed the depot, grist, and merchant-mill, planing-mill, and machine-shop — in all, more than $50,000 worth of property. In 1878, the Strasburg Rail Road and the shops were sold.[12] The railroad was eventually again sold in 1888 to the Edward Musselman, with the Musselmans retaining control of it until 1918, when it was purchased by State Senator John Homsher. By this time, the number of passengers had dropped off due to tracks for the Conestoga Traction Company's streetcars reaching Strasburg in 1908, which offered a more direct route between Lancaster and Strasburg.[13]
In 1926, the Strasburg Rail Road purchased a 20-short-ton (17.9-long-ton; 18.1 t), gasoline-powered, Plymouth switcher—the only locomotive that was ever built specifically for the Strasburg Rail Road.[13] By 1958, the railroad fell on hard-times from cumulative effect of years of declining freight business and infrequent runs, damage caused by Hurricane Hazel, and inspectors from the Interstate Commerce Commission's lack of approval for operation of the Plymouth locomotive.[13][14] Upon the death of Bryson Homsher, the Homsher estate filed for abandonment with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.[15] Hearing of the potential abandonment, an effort to purchase and save the railroad was organized by Henry K. Long and Donald E. L. Hallock, both railfans from Lancaster. They organized a small, non-profit group to purchase the railroad. After the better part of a year of hard work, the purchase was completed on November 1, 1958. The following week, on November 8, the first carload of revenue freight was hauled to what was then the only customer, a mill in Strasburg.
Tourist excursion service began on January 4, 1959, and their first steam locomotive arrived the following year.
Locomotive roster
Main units
| No. | Images | Wheel Arrangement | Builder | Built | Status | At Strasburg | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 475 |  | 4-8-0 | Baldwin Locomotive Works 28343 | 1906 | Operational | Since 1991 | Strasburg Rail Road 475, ex-Norfolk and Western 475[16] No. 475 is Strasburg's oldest operating steam locomotive. Used for pulling excursions and occasionally heavy freight. 475 uses a Norfolk and Western "Hooter" Whistle. |
| 90 |  | 2-10-0 | Baldwin Locomotive Works 57812 | 1924 | Operational | Since 1967 | Strasburg Rail Road 90, ex-Great Western Railway 90[16] No. 90 is Strasburg's strongest and largest steam locomotive. Used for pulling excursions and occasionally heavy freight. 90 wears a Reading 6 chime. |
| 89 |  | 2-6-0 | Canadian Locomotive Company 922 | 1910 | Operational | Since 1972 | Strasburg Rail Road 89, ex-Canadian National Railway 89, ex-Canadian National 911, originally Grand Trunk Railway 1009[17] No. 89 is Strasburg's fastest steam locomotive. Used for pulling excursions and occasionally heavy freight. Currently sports a PRR 3 chime whistle. |
| 31 or 7312 |  | 0-6-0 | Baldwin Locomotive Works 32894 | 1908 | In storage, awaiting restoration | Since 1960 | Formerly Strasburg Rail Road 31, ex Canadian National Railway 7312, exx Canadian National 7240, exxx Canadian National 7157, exxxx Grand Trunk Railway 1708, originally Grand Trunk Railway 118. Last operation in 2009, restoration work is currently put on hold due to other busy projects. Steve Weaver, the VP of freight services, stated that the railroad still indeed wants to get the locomotive back up and running again once they has the time and money.[18] |
| 15 |  | 0-6-0T | H.K. Porter, Inc. 5966 | 1917 | Operational | Since 1998 | Ex-Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal No. 15. Currently the railroad's smallest standard-gauge steam engine. Heavily altered by the Strasburg Rail Road to resemble Thomas the Tank Engine, it is used for pulling trains for the railroad's annual Day Out with Thomas events and at other locations. |
| 3 | 4-4-0 | Cagney Bros. | 1920 | Operational | Since 2003 | Miniature steam train, originally operated at an amusement park. 15 in (381 mm) gauge.[19] | |
| 972 |  | 4-6-0 | Montreal Locomotive Works | 1912 | In storage; awaiting restoration | Since 1995 | ex-Canadian Pacific Railway.[16] Acquired from the Rail Tours Inc. of Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, last visited in 1979. Currently sitting idol in the yard in pieces, awaiting for restoration. |
| 39 | 4-6-0 | Juniata Shops | 1929 | Boiler under restoration | Boiler since 2008, remainder pending | #39 is a PRR G5 class "Ten Wheeler" type steam locomotive. Potentially on lease to Strasburg Rail Road for 48 years if prerequisites of signed lease are met.[20] Ex-Long Island Rail Road.[16] Boiler and firebox is currently under restoration, while the rest of the locomotives parts is being restored at the Railroad Museum of Long Island. | |
| 9 | 4-4-0 | Cagney Bros. | 1903 | Under restoration | Since 2012 | Another 15 in (381 mm) gauge miniature engine, similar to no. 3. | |
| 1 | (B) | Plymouth Locomotive Works | 1926 | Operational | Since 1926 | Operates on occasion. Only engine specifically built for Strasburg. 20-ton plymouth | |
| 2 | (B) | Plymouth Locomotive Works | 1930 | Operational | Since 1984 | Operates on occasion, only for moving restoration engines. Plymouth 10 ton diesel, and Rethemed to "Rusty" in 2020 for pictures. | |
| 10 | (B-B) | Sanders Machine Shop | 1915 | Operational | Since 1962 | Former Lancaster, Oxford & Southern Railcar(LO&S) and only car at Strasburg with roller bearings. Used in some occasions. Called "THE WHISTLER" in the 1980's. | |
| 1235 | (B-B) | Electro-Motive Diesel | 1953 | Inoperable; awaiting restoration | Since 2018 | Former Santa Fe Railroad SW9; future service will be used to help with freight services after being restored fully. | |
| 8618 | (B-B) | Electro-Motive Diesel | 1952 | Operational | Since 2009 | Former New York Central SW8 Used for freight service and on rare occasions, excursion service. Rethemed to "Mavis" in 2019. |
"Thomas" is Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal #15. The engine was sold to the Strasburg Rail Road by Keith Brigode from the Toledo, Lake Erie and Western Railway in March 1998 and was originally going to pull excursions on the site. However, it would not be easy to run the engine the entire line and back due to the engine's limited water capacity of the saddle tank. Unfortunately, the railroad had already purchased the engine and it was scheduled to arrive in May of that year. When Strasburg Railroad finished shooting arrangements for the film, Thomas and the Magic Railroad, a few representatives from the Britt Allcroft company were impressed and requested the railroad to host Day Out with Thomas events. The railroad accepted the offer and restored No. 15 to resemble the character, Thomas the Tank Engine. The engine first ran under its own power as its "Thomas" rebuild on April 14, 1999. Thomas's face was replaced with the animatronic CGI face in April 2014.[21]
No. 89 was purchased from the Steamtown Foundation in 1972. En route to Strasburg that June, it was in Penn Central's Buttonwood, Pennsylvania, yard when Hurricane Agnes flooded the Susquehanna River. The floodwaters entered the locomotive's stack, delaying its debut at Strasburg. 89 arrived at the railroad facing East, and it remained in that status until the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania's turntable was installed across the street in 1975.
For several years, groups have scheduled photo charters when the railroad reletters locomotives in their heritage paint scheme. For the movie Thomas and the Magic Railroad, #475 and three passenger cars (only two of which wound up being used) were relettered "Indian Valley".
No. 90 is occasionally repainted into different paint schemes for photo charters, such as the Great Western Railway (Colorado) scheme in a 2013 charter.[22]
No. 972 was acquired from Rail Tours Inc. of Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania after the company could not afford the payments for mechanical repairs that Strasburg was performing on the locomotive at the time. She sits in sidings until she can be repaired.
- While there are many locomotives which have gone through the backshop for restoration, some have been established to be in the shop only on hearsay. Only locomotives that have been publicly displayed or have been given a press release count as restorations/re-builds.
SRR also has a collection of early internal combustion locomotives; All but No. 1235 are in operation.
No. 1 has operated on the Strasburg Rail Road ever since it was built in 1926. The engine is notable for being used to reconstruct the track and rails for the railroad between 1958 and 1959, after the railroad was purchased to become a tourist line.
No. 1235 was brought to the railroad in late 2018. It arrived in poor condition, and is currently awaiting restoration to operation.
Former units
| No. | Wheel Arrangement | Builder | Built | At Strasburg | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1223 | 4-4-0 | Juniata | 1905 | 1963–1989 | Ex-Pennsylvania Railroad D16sb (PRR) No. 1223. Last operation in 1989. Currently on display at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. |
| 7002 | 4-4-2 | Juniata | 1902 | 1983–1989 | Ex-Pennsylvania Railroad E2a (PRR) No. 8063 until it was changed to her sister's number and reclassified as a E7s Atlantic. Last operation in 1989. Currently on display at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. |
| 7 | (B-B) | General-Electric | 1915 | 1959–1963 | Former Warwick Railway electric number 100, originally built for University of Michigan as an electric steeple cab. She was rebuilt as a GE 28-Ton in 1960 and was scrapped in 1977 as her prime mover was leased and had to be given back in 1963. With no mover, she had to be scrapped. Only engine after 1958 to ever be scrapped. Her cab and hood were sold to Middletown and Hummelstown Railroad in 1977 and she has either been taken apart or still around somewhere. |
| 21 | (B) | Mack | 1921 | 1969–2001 | Former Lewisburg, Milton & Watsonburg rail's; only operated a few times in the 1970s; Donated to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in 2001. |
| 33 | (B-B) | General-Electric | 1948 | 1961–2011 | Former PRR GE-44 ton #9331; Primary freight locomotive until 2008 after which saw only sporadic service; Sold to Walkersville Southern Railroad in spring 2011. |
| 4 | 0-4-0 | Baldwin Locomotive Works 21831 | 1903 | 1962–2020 | Ex-Reading Company 1187.[16] Last operation and retired from service in 1967.[23] Recently acquired by the Age of Steam Roundhouse from an auction on July 15, 2020.[24] The Roundhouse plans on performing a complete, in-depth cosmetic restoration of #1187, which will return it to its original Reading appearance.[25][24] |
| 98 | 4-4-0 | ALCO | 1909 | 1961–1964 | Ex-Mississippi Central Railroad. Never operated at Strasburg Railroad since she was only being stored there and the agreement was to store her there till facilities could be found for her, but, she must have the Strasburg name. So while she was a Strasburg name, she technically wasn't theirs. She was given back to the rightful owner of the Wilmington and Western Railroad and is under 1472 restoration. |
| 8000 | (B+B) | ALCO | 1931 | 1958-1959 | EX-Baltimore and Ohio Oil-Electric Boxcab #8000 was given to Strasburg in 1958 by Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, she only lasted a year before being given back. No builder class was stated but was built by ALCO. Also could have also only been restored by Strasburg. She was given back to B&O until she was finally sold to the Railroad Museum Of transportation in St. Louis. |
Both 1223 and 7002 were leased for operation. 1223 was leased from the PRR from 1965 to 1968, from Penn Central from 1968 to 1979 and from the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania from 1979 to 1990. 7002 was also leased from the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. After ultra-sonic testing both engines were found to have thin spots in their fireboxes, which are a part of their boilers, thus the engines were taken out of service. The railroad stated they could have done the repairs but the lessor, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, wanted to preserve the "historical fabric" of each locomotive and did not renew their leases the following year. 1223's last day of service for SRC was Thursday, October 26, 1989, while 7002's was earlier that year in January right after filming a Prudential Insurance commercial in Harrisburg Train Station. They have both remained on static display since being removed from service.
No. 1187 ran as No. 4 between 1962 and 1967. It had inadequate strength for SRR's heavy trains. As such, it ran as a switcher during the summer months from 1963 to 1967. It is a camelback-type locomotive. After a loan to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, it long sat dismantled pending long-term future restoration. It ws acquired by the Age of Steam Roundhouse in Sugarcreek, Ohio, in an auction on July 15, 2020,[25][24] and left the Strasburg yard on July 31, 2020.
No. 98 was bought by Strasburg to be used like 31 and 4, but restoration was slow and so she was sold. She is currently out of service undergoing a overhaul at the Wilmington and Western Railroad.
Pre-1958
Strasburg rostered at least six steam locomotives prior to 1958. Evidence suggests that Strasburg only rostered one locomotive at a time, operating it until it was no longer economically viable to run it anymore and would purchase a new locomotive to replace it.
| No. | image | Wheel Arrangement | Builder | Built | At Strasburg | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 560 | 0-4-0 | Juniata | 1893 | 1924-1926 | EX-PRR A3 class switcher. Strasburg's last steam locomotive before acquiring the Plymouth. | |
| 937 | 4-4-0 | Juniata | 1876 | 1906-1924 | EX-Pennsylvania Railroad D13-a 4-4-0 engine. Renumbered as Strasburg's second No. 1 and scrapped in 1924 after Plymouth was cheaper to maintain. | |
| 929 | 4-4-0 | Juniata | 1873 | 1926-1943 | EX-Pennsylvania Railroad D13-a 4-4-0 engine. Renumbered as Strasburg's first No. 1. Sold in 1906 after plymouth was cheaper to maintain | |
| "Strasburg" | 4-4-0T | Baldwin Locomotive Works | 1863 | 1863-1892 | Strasburg's first new locomotive. | |
| "William Penn" | 4-2-0 | Long & Norris | 1835 | 1851-1863 | Strasburg's first locomotive, rumored to be one of the first 50 locomotives built in the US. | |
| 5203 | (B+B) | Juniata | unknown | 1900-1926 | 5203 was one of the two combine coaches that Strasburg owned in the 1900's. She was used as a normal combine coach would be used until she was turned into a flatcar after a few years of being used. A few weeks after she was turned into a flatcar, she fell apart and was scrapped | |
| (B+B) | Juniata | 1900's | 1926-1948 | the number and type of this car is unknown, but is a Pennsylvania Railroad combine coach like 5203. Scrapped after falling apart and was replaced within that same year. | ||
| W-04 | (B+B) | Pressed Steel Car Company | 1907 | Since 1929 | Ex- New York, Philadelphia and Norfolk Railroad boxcar. Is the oldest equipment still surviving from the pre-1958 era next to Plymouth #1. Boxcar numbers were also SRC W-34, SRC #110, SRC NY&PNRR #998, PRR #96451. Used on photo charters like the other equipment |
Passenger car roster
| SRR No. | Name | Builder | Built | Type | Notes | Significance of Car Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (RDG 10) | Paradise | Harlan and Hollingsworth | 1913 | Business | ex Reading | Original name given to the car by Edward Stotesbury, former president of the Reading Railroad. Originally named "Paradise" from 1964 to 2001. Restored to original "Reading" paint scheme. |
| 20 | Willow Brook | Jackson & Sharpe | 1913 | Coach | ex Maryland and Pennsylvania | Named for Strasburg Rail Road Company founder and fifth company president (1971-1982). Put into service at Strasburg in 1959. Number 20 is its original MA&PA number. Originally named "Willow Brook" from 1959 until 2007 when it was renamed "William M. Moedinger".[26] |
| 58 | Cherry Hill | Harlan and Hollingsworth | 1911 | Coach | ex Reading | Named for Strasburg Rail Road Company founder and CMO (1962-1986). Arrived at Strasburg in 1958. Originally named "Cherry Hill" from 1958 until 2007 when it was renamed "Huber Leath".[26] |
| 59 | Grasshopper Level | B&M Salem Shops | 1904 | Coach | ex Boston and Maine | A nickname for an area of Lancaster County just south of Strasburg along Route 896. Arrived at Strasburg in 1959. |
| 60 | Eshleman Run | B&M Concorde Shops | 1903 | Combine | ex Boston and Maine | Named for Strasburg Rail Road Company founder and 3rd company president (1965-1970). Arrived at Strasburg in 1960. Originally named "Eshelman Run" from 1960 until 1999 when it was renamed "Donald E.L. Hallock".[26] |
| 62 | Gobbler's Knob | Pullman | 1897 | Coach | ex Boston and Maine | A nickname for an area in Lancaster County just south of Strasburg along Route 896. Put into service in 1962. |
| 65 | Walnut Hollow | Harlan & Hollingsorth | 1910 | Coach | ex Reading | Unknown significance. Put into service at Strasburg in 1962. |
| 68 | Hello Dolly | Pullman | 1896 | Open Air/Observation | ex Boston and Maine, built as a coach | Named for the 1969 movie for which this car was rebuilt and in which this car starred. |
| 70 | Cherry Crest | Pullman | 1904 | Coach | ex Boston and Maine | Named for the ex-Cornelius Ferree farm along the Strasburg Rail Road line. Put into service at Strasburg in 1970. |
| 71 | Daffodil Spring | Pullman | 1904 | Open Air | ex Boston and Maine, built as coach | No significance in the name. Put into service at Strasburg in 1971. |
| 72 | Mill Creek | Pullman | 1906 | Coach | ex Boston and Maine | Named for the tributary of the Conestoga River. Put into service at Strasburg in 1972. |
| 73 | Pleasant View | Pullman | 1907 | Open Air | ex Boston and Maine, built as Coach. | No significance to the name. Put into service at Strasburg in 1973. |
| 75 | Henry K. Long | Laconia | 1910 | Lounge | ex Boston and Maine, built as Coach | Named for Strasburg Rail Road Company founder and first company president (1958-1963). Put into service at Strasburg in 1975. |
| 88 | Pequea Creek | Laconia | 1910 | Parlor | ex Boston and Maine, built as Coach | Named "Marian" for Strasburg Rail Road Company founder and first board secretary. She was the wife of William M. Moedinger. Put into service as the First Class Parlor car at Strasburg in 1988. |
| 92 | Susquehanna Valley | Harlan & Hollingsworth | 1910 | Coach | ex Reading | Named "Susquehanna" for the Susquehanna River, which forms the western boundary of Lancaster County. Put into service at Strasburg in 1992. |
| 93 | Lee E. Brenner | Laconia | 1909 | Diner | ex Boston and Maine, built as Coach, only wooden dining car in regular service in the US | Named for Strasburg Rail Road Company founder and second company president (1963-1964). Put into service at Strasburg as the dining car in 1993. |
| 96 | William McFarlan | Pullman | 1896 | Coach | ex Boston and Maine | Named for a former Strasburg Rail Road Company VP whose estate gift funds to the company, from which the restoration of this car was made possible. Put into service at Strasburg in 1996. |
| 99 | Valley View | Laconia | 1909 | Open Air | ex Boston and Maine, built as Coach | No significance with the name. Put into service at Strasburg in 1999. |
| 105 | Warren F. Benner | Barney & Smith | 1912 | Coach | ex Western Maryland | Named for Strasburg Rail Road Company founder and second company treasurer (1967-1998). Put into service at Strasburg in 2005. |
| 118 | Linn W. Moedinger | American Car & Foundry | 1910 | Lounge | ex Baltimore and Ohio | Cocooned from 1990–2015. Restored 2015–2018. Completed November 2018. Inaugural run November 19, 2018. Named for Strasburg Rail Road Company CMO (1988-2018), president (2000-2018), and son of William and Marian Moedinger. |
| 3214 | none | Laconia | 1909 | Baggage | ex Boston and Maine, built as Combine | rebuilt in the 70's and used for a photo charter in the 80's. Now used for storage purposes |
| TBD | TDB | Wagner Palace Car Company. | 1899 | Coach | ex Rutland 704, cocooned | |
| TBD | TBD | Barney & Smith | 1910 | Cafe/Observation | ex Baltimore and Ohio, cocooned | |
| TBD | TBD | Jackson & Sharpe | 1899 | Coach | ex Bangor and Aroostook, cocooned | |
| TBD | TBD | Jackson & Sharpe | 1899 | Coach | ex Bangor and Aroostook, cocooned | |
| 9125 | TBD | ACF | 1946 | Baggage | ex New York Central | used for storage |
| 9140 | TBD | ACF | 1946 | Baggage | ex New York Central | used for storage |
| 9146 | TBD | ACF | 1946 | Baggage | ex New York Central | used for storage |
Retired Equipment roster
| SRR No. | Name | Builder | Built | Type | Notes | Significance of Car Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200 | London Run | Harlan and Hollingsworth | 1920's | Coach | ex Western Maryland Railroad | Was used on normal trains in the 1980's when it arrived, though it was sold to Durbin and Greenbrier Valley railroad in the late 1980's. |
| 203 | Conestoga Creek | Juniata | 1930's | open air | ex-Pennsylvania Railroad. | Conestoga Creek was one of the first few coaches Strasburg had after 1958. She arrived in 1962-1963 as a PRR Emu trailer. She was the only open air coach they had next to the Cinder Catcher Club Car #102. She was sold in the 1970s or 1980s to the Durbin and GreenBrier valley Railroad. |
| (PRR 7510) | Pequea Valley | Pullman | 1920's | Sleeper | ex Pullman | Pequea Valley was a steel sleeper car built by Pullman for long trains and was named "White Cloud". However in the 1960's she was bought by Strasburg and renamed. She was used to tour the country with a Reading Business coach named "Paradise". When the tours were over, Pequea Valley would be on static display with Paradise. Though in the 90's, she was painted a rust red, renamed Pullman, and was sold to Harlansburg station, PA for static display. |
| (PRR 120) | Strasburg | Juniata | 1940's | observation | ex Pennsylvania railroad | Had no number while on Strasburg and was never used on the normal consist back in the 1960s when she arrived. She would sit in the siding where the track is next to the sheds. She was sold in the late 1960's. |
| 120 or 102 | Cinder Catcher Club Car | American Car & Foundry | 1913 | Open air gondola | ex-Pennsylvania Railroad | She is a GRa gondola for the PRR to use. She arrived at Strasburg in 1959 and used as a snowplow until 1962 where she would be turned into an open air gondola to be used like a coach. She was retired in the 70's and was used like other freight cars at the time. She sits in the yard rotting away until further restoration. |
| 11 | Pennsylvania Railroad | 1904 | Caboose | ex PRR | EX-PRR ND Bobber Caboose #476582. Was used from 1959 to 1969 where she was sold to a train station in New Oxford, PA | |
| (PRR #7446) | Pennsylvania Railroad | 1930's | BURRO 5 ton crane | ex PRR | EX-PRR 5 crane #7446. Was used from 1961 to 2016-2017 where she was sold to Walkersville Southern Railroad. Tipper over on her side in 1964 on a set of points | |
| 3556 | Pennsylvania Railroad | 1886 | Coach | ex PRR | EX-PRR wooden coach #3556. Was leased with 1223 at Strasburg Railroad from 1965 to 1989, where she was used on the last run with 1223 nicknamed the "Pennsylvania Limited". Currently on display at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. | |
| 8177 | Pennsylvania Railroad | 1896 | Coach | ex PRR | EX-PRR wooden coach #8177. She was leased with 1223 and 3556 by Strasburg from 1965 to 1989, where she was used on the last run with 1223 nicknamed the "Pennsylvania Limited" like 3556. Currently on display at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. | |
| 4639 | Pennsylvania Railroad | 1900's | Combine coach | ex PRR | EX-PRR wooden combine coach #4639. She was leased with 1223, 3556, and 8177 by Strasburg from 1965 to 1989, where she was used on the last run with 1223 nicknamed the "Pennsylvania Limited" like 3556 and 8177. Currently on display at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. | |
| 245 | 1920's | Coach | Ex-Pullman | Little to nothing is known about this coach besides that it was a cherry red, had a white roof, and was EX-Gettysburg Railroad Coach. Was at Strasburg Railroad in the 1980's. | ||
| 330 | 1916-1920 | Coach | ex-Pullman | EX-Gettysburg railroad 2300-Series coach. EX-New Jersey transit #4330. Was at Strasburg in there mid-80's and was sold to Middletown and Hummelstown Railroad | ||
| 206 | 1920 | multiple units car | Ex-Pullman] | ex-Delaware Lackawanna & western #687. At Strasburg in 1992. At Grapevine Vintage Railroad | ||
| 207 | 1920 | Coach | Ex-Pullman EMU | ex-Conrail #3367. At Strasburg in 1992. At Grapevine Vintage Railroad | ||
| 208 | 1920 | Coach | Ex-Pullman EMU | ex-Conrail 3367. At Strasburg in 1992. At Grapevine Vintage Railroad | ||
| 209 | 1920 | Coach | Ex-Pullman EMU | ex-Conrail 3355. At Strasburg in 1992. At Grapevine Vintage Railroad |
References
- "Locomotives find new life among the crash and bang of Strasburg Rail Road's mechanical shop". LancasterOnline.com. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
- Strasburg Rail Road - Pint-Sized Pufferbelly
- "Lancaster Farmland Trust". 2014. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
- Rutter, Jon (August 21, 2011). "When the Strasburg Rail Road hauls freight, it means business". LancasterOnline. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- Hallock, p. 132.
- Hallock, p. 133.
- Hallock, p. 134.
- Journal of the Forty-second House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 1. Harrisburg: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 1832. p. 986.
- Hallock, p. 135.
- Hallock, p. 136.
- Hallock, p. 140.
- Ellis, Franklin (1883). History of Lancaster County Pennsylvania: With biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men. (1883). United States: Everts and Peck. p. 1067.
- Hallock, p. 141.
- Soloman, p. 76.
- Hallock, p. 143.
- "Equipment Roster" (PDF). Strasburg Rail Road. June 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2013.
- Edson & Corley (Autumn 1982) p.132
- https://theroundhousepodcast.com/2019/08/20/085-strasburg-rail-road-freight-traffic/
- "Fun Extras". Strasburg Rail Road. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
- "Engine 39 Finds a Home at Strasburg Rail Road". Strasburg Rail Road. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
- "S. Berliner, III's BEDT Page: BEDT #15". Retrieved January 15, 2007.
- Conrail6370 (2008-11-14), "A Near Miss at Cherry Hill Siding" on the Strasburg Railroad November 8,2008, retrieved 2018-11-07
- "Class A4-b 0-4-0 Switcher, #1187". Surviving Steam Profile. Reading Company Technical and Historical Society. Retrieved September 3, 2012.
- "Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum acquires a rare steam locomotive". Roundhouse Reports. Sugarcreek, Ohio: Age of Steam Roundhouse. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- "Digest: Age of Steam museum acquires Camelback locomotive". Trains magazine. July 16, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- "Equipment Roster (July 2018)" (PDF). strasburgrailroad.com. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
Sources
- Bell, Kurt; Plant, Jeremy (2015). Strasburg Rail Road In Color (1st ed.). Morning Sun Books. ISBN 978-1582484792.
- Conner, Eric; Barrall, Steve (2017). Strasburg Rail Road. Images of Rail (1st ed.). Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4671-2507-9.
- Edson, William D.; Corley, Raymond F. (Autumn 1982). "Locomotives of the Grand Trunk Railway". Railroad History. Boston, Mass.: The Railway and Locomotive Historical Society, Inc. (147). ISSN 0090-7847.
- Hallock, Donald E. L (1964). "A brief history of the Strasburg Rail Road". Journal of the Lancaster County Historical Society. Lancaster, PA: Lancaster County Historical Society. 68 (4): 129–146.
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Strasburg Rail Road. |
- Official website
- Strasburg Rail Road on Facebook
- Strasburg Rail Road on Twitter
- HawkinsRails' Strasburg scrapbook
| Authority control |
|---|