Road trip this summer offers up a free day in the Scranton/Harrisburg/Lancaster PA area. Conditions: 1 Day, Three Railfans (aged 38, 5 and 3,) two railfan supportes (age 30 and 9) We have never spent time in the area, and will be doing either Steamtown or Strasburg/PRR Museum. Curious to know your thoughts which one is a better choice. Steamtown lists only the following trains operating on the day we have available: ""Scranton Limited" short train rides (diesel-powered)" I thought I wanted to go to Steam town, but it is a bit out of the way for us, and was hoping to get my boys behind a steamer. Does Strasburg run steam every day? Hard to tell from their website. Thanks guys (and gals)
I would personally pick Strasburg as you not only have the Strasburg RR itself, but you also have the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, the National Toy Train Museum and the Choo Choo Barn all within a mile radius. I do believe that Strasburg runs steam daily.
As far as I know, Steamtown is not running steam much. The only operational steamer they have now is CN 3254. Strasburg is a hoot, with several engines, and if you can swing it, get a shop tour. Also, as LegomanBill mentioned, the RR Museum of PA is right across the street with over 100 engines/rolling stock on display, plus the model sites and the Caboose Motel. IMHO. Oh, and the Amish horse drawn buggies are cool.
FWIW- We went to Strasburg. Had an awesome day, the boys loved it! Rode the train behind Strasburg (nee N&W) 475. Train ride is 40 minutes, which was perfect for my 5 and 2 year old. Daughter and wife even enjoyed the trip, plenty for all to look at. Saw #90 under steam in the yard, did not see #89. There is a great small train ride on the grounds and a good gift shop. My 9 year old daughter and I did the hand car, which was fun. We went to the Trackside cafe for lunch and to get out of the heat. The food was good but the staff was a bit overwhelmed and it was very hot in the dinning area. Tucked behind one building we found a real nice train themed playground which seemed like everyone else appeared to miss. We then went across the street to the Pennslyvania State Railroad Museum, which was also great. There is a fantasic kids area there with model and lego trains everywhere. I wish I had known about that and we would have spent more time there, could have dropped the kids and momma there and fully explored the museum more. Loved the fireless tank engine, (first time I saw one of those,) and a neat surprise for us was the sugar cane locomotive from Oahu (my daughter was born in Hawaii.) Great place to go if you are interested in seeing historical PRR and PC equipment. We ran out of time to get to the Choo-Choo Barn. The next day, heading home, we stopped at Horseshoe Curve for a great picnic lunch. Was a little surprised there was an admission fee to get up to the railfan area, but in the end it was worth it.
Glad to read how everything worked out so well. Hope perhaps you will have a photo or two which can be shared?
