How to Plan a Ride on Strasburg Rail Road

The Daily Excursion Train is a fully narrated, 45-minute round trip across 2,500 acres of Lancaster County Amish countryside. The train travels 4.5 miles east to Paradise, Pennsylvania, then returns 4.5 miles west along the same track.

The railroad dates to a charter granted on June 9, 1832, and its operator describes it as America’s oldest operating railroad. Local investors purchased it in 1958, passenger service resumed in 1959, and slightly fewer than 9,000 riders took tourist trips in the first year.

General steam train rides are scheduled seasonally, with a fuller schedule during the warmer months. Special rides and themed trains also appear at different times of year, so check the official site before you go.

For a regular excursion, allow 45 minutes aboard the train. Most special-event rides are also 45-minute round trips, including Wine & Cheese and Dinner trains. Check the departure details for your chosen ride before setting your day’s plans.

Strasburg Rail Road offers First Class, Dining, Open Air and Coach accommodations. Choose the ride and car that suit your plans, then review the railroad’s current ticket details before booking; availability and arrangements can vary by departure.

If you select an Open Air Car, plan to use the public restrooms before boarding. Those cars do not have restrooms, and the railroad recommends going beforehand so you do not miss part of the ride.

Restrooms are available aboard the President’s Car, Parlor, Lounge and Dining cars, as well as several Coach Cars. At least one restroom-equipped Coach Car is included on the daily train.

Set aside time to arrive at the station before your scheduled departure and follow the railroad’s current instructions for boarding and parking. If you are choosing an Open Air seat, make a restroom stop before getting on board.

In Ronks, a two-star motel in the area can be part of a trip that includes the Strasburg attraction. The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania sits directly across the street from the railroad, making it easy to include both stops in one outing.

The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania is a separate, independent attraction—not part of Strasburg Rail Road—and displays more than 100 locomotives and railroad cars. Its address is 300 Gap Road, PA Route 741, Strasburg, PA 17579. A visit to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania can round out a rail-focused outing.

Check the museum’s current hours and admission information before you go; schedules and prices can change. If you want to visit both places, note that the museum has its own opening schedule and admission, separate from the train ride. Its location directly across the street makes it a natural companion stop.

The railroad also runs Santa’s Paradise Express as a recurring November and December tradition dating to 1959. If you are planning a seasonal visit, check the railroad’s current schedule for available rides and activities.