Pennsylvania Train Tides
The Keystone state is noted for hosting some of America's most famous railways, including those that can be found on the classic board game, Monopoly.These railroads included the PRR, B&O, and the Reading. Along with the NYC, Erie, Bessemer, Delaware & Hudson, Lackawanna and Lehigh Valley they formed the foundation for rail transportation in the early 1900's. Along with it's 50 short lines, and tourist railroads, it is easy to see that it ranks as one of the top 3 states for railroading. Norfolk Southern operates on 2,340 route miles.
It was also home to the Baldwin Works steam locomotive builder begun in the 1830s.
Pennsylvania has both the first and the oldest all-iron railroad bridge still in service. The first, Richard Osbourne's Manayunk Bridge on the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad line, predecessor of the Reading Co. Railroad, was built about 1845. (One of its cast and wrought iron trusses is on display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.) The oldest iron railroad bridge still in service, designed also by Osbourne, is the Reading Railroad's Hall's Station Bridge, erected in 1846, that now connects a private farm to a branch of the former Reading, just east of Williamsport.
Today, GE produces their diesel electric locomotives in Erie.
America's first tourist railroad, the former Mauch Chuck Switchback, began as a coal hauler at Jim Thorpe.
Scenic train rides in Pennslvania include the nations oldest railroad, the Strasburg Rail Road, the Pioneer Lines Scenic RR, the New Hope & Ivyland RR, the East Broad Top RR, Steam Town Historic, and the Tioga Central.
You can also run a steam locomotive at the Williams Grove Historical Steam Engine Assoc.
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Located near the famous Horseshoe Curve , the Rail Roaders Memorial museum houses railroading artifacts and is dedicated to revealing, interpreting, commemorating and celebrating the significant contributions of railroaders and their families to American life and industry. Directions
ASHLAND
PIONEER TUNNEL COAL MINE & STEAM TRAIN
The Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine & Steam Train runs a scenic train ride along the Mahanoy Mountain and features a narrow gauge 0-4-0 steam locomotive tour of the Mammoth Stripping . Directions.
BELLEFONTE
BELLEFONTE HISTORICAL RAILROAD
The Bellefonte Historical Railroad runs a 60 mile scenic trainride over the Nittany & Bald Eagle RR. Restored 1888 station houses museum of historical railroad memorabilia. Directions.
MECHANICSBURG
WILLIAMS GROVE HISTORICAL STEAM ENGINE ASSOC.
The WGHSEA runs steam engine train rides from April through September. Want to ride on a steam locomotive? The Williams Grove Historical Steam Engine Association also offers the opportunity for you to run their former Pennsylvania Railroad B4a 0-6-0 #643. Built in 1901 in the PRR’s own shops in Altoona PA. No.643 has been a favorite at Williams Grove since 1961. Qualified locomotive crew will teach you the basics of how to operate the locomotive, and then you will take her out on their mile of track! Slots are available in 30 minute increments.
Directions.
MIDDLETOWN
MIDDLETOWN & HUMMELSTOWN RAILROAD
Relax and enjoy an 11 mile, 1 hour and 15 minute, train ride aboard the Middletown & Hummelstown RR along the Swatara Creek, while learning the history of the area. Passengers board our 1920’s vintage, Delaware, Lackawanna & Western coaches at our 1891 Freight Station in Middletown, Pennsylvania. Directions
NEW HOPE
NEW HOPE & IVYLAND RAILROAD
The New Hope & Ivy Railroad scenic excursion train ride includes either a 1925 Baldwin 2-8-0 steam or diesel locomotive and a dinner train aboard restored vintage 1920s coaches through Bucks county. Departure from New Hope is from a restored 1891 Victorian station. Directions.
A National Historic Landmark, the East Broad Top Railroad is a narrow gauge scenic excursion steam train ride that operates a combination of antique wooded coaches and open air flat cars built in the 1920s. The four and a half mile excursions run weekends from June through October. Directions.
SCRANTON
STEAMTOWN NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
Relive the golden age of steam railroading with the "Live Steam" experience. Museum complex includes visitors center, theater, history museum, round house and technology museum. Steamtown scenic train rides include a short excursion aboard vintage commuter coaches on the Scranton Limited. Locomotive cab rides are also available. Displays include the only Union Pacific Big Boy  , No. 4012, that is exhibited in the eastern US. Directions.
STRASBURG
STRASBURG RAIL ROAD
Travel aboard the oldest railroad company in the US, the historic Strasburg Railroad 's nine mile steam train ride runs though Amish farmland and features several different travel accommodations, including fully restored open air coaches, a deluxe lounge car and a first class parlor coach. Special excursions include a Wine & Cheese, Dinner & Murder Mystery Trains. Check schedule for "Day Out with Thomas" trains as well. Listed in Parade's "Unforgettable Day Trips by Rail". Directions.
Located across the street from the Strasburg RR, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvaina has an extensive collection of former PRR locomotives, cars and artifacts. Among the restored locomotives on display, is the PRR"s No. 460, 1914 built Atlantic Class 4-4-2, known as the “Lindbergh Engine,” along with the 1920 Pacific Class 4-6-2, No 3750 .
TITUSVILLE
OIL CREEK & TITUSVILLE RAILROAD
A two and a half hour scenic train ride aboard the Oil Creek & Titusville RR runs thought the Oil Creek State Park. Departure is from an 1892 - vintage freight station. Bicyclists and canoeist welcomed, as they will drop you off along the route. Fall Foliage, the Santa Train ride and Murder Mystery Dinner excursions are very popular. Directions.
WELLSBORO
TIOGA CENTRAL RAILROAD
The Tioga Central Railroad of Wellsboro, Pennsylvania operates excursion and charter train rides on a thirty-four mile, 90 minute, railroad extending north from Wellsboro, Pennsylvania to a location about three miles south of Corning, New York. Scenic train rides run weekends from Memorial Day through October. Excursions include All American BBQ Dinner Train, Sunset Special, Fall Foliage Express, Fireworks Special, and The Lake Shore Twilight. Directions.
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