The back lots
April 21, 2002
A very unofficial site !!
(above is the railroad's copyrighted logo used without permission)
The Strasburg Rail Road is located in Strasburg Pennsylvania in Lancaster County. As evidenced by its two word spelling of Rail Road, this small road has roots back to 1832 (although the literature seems to indicate that operations started in 1851). Never a major route, this 4.5 mile short line served feed mills and the mercantile needs of a lush dairy area before the advent of highway truck transportation. Early on, all railroads participated in the people transportation system before the advent of highways and private autos, one reason that almost all decent-sized towns were able to find investors to build a railroad if one did not already pass by. Strasburg's passenger business was almost put out of business by a competing trolley line in the early part of the 20th century, partly because of the trolley boom and perhaps too because the trolley went to Lancaster, while the railroad went in the other direction making for somewhat of a roundabout route from Strasburg to nearby Lancaster. Even after surviving the coming and going of the the trolley line, the railroad slowly waned until the 1950's, like many other railroads in the U.S., awaiting some economic or natural diaster to put it finally to rest. The Strasburg surely would have went this route but for a Lancaster railfan and some associates who bought the road from its family owners. To put the road back into operations, it was decided that other investors must be found who could contribute $450 each. Back 45 years ago, $500 was the equivalent of half the cost of an automobile, so finding the investors was not an easy task. Finally someone came up with the idea of making every investor a vice president of the railroad and the capital was raised. The early idea of paying the bills with renewed freight business was found not to be sound and the railroad started to concentrate on the tourist passenger business. This decision proved to be excellent as the surrounding area was turning into a major tourism destination. Later,the existence of an operating steam railroad was a key factor in locating the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania right across the street instead of some of the more famous railroad locations in Pennsylvania. Somewhere I read that the Strasburg is the only tourism railroad that has no subsidies from a government body. Watching the loaded trains contiually pulling out on their 45 minute shedule during peak season, one has to believe that the Strasburg Rail Road is in its golden age.
A five mile local railroad might not at first glance seem like a worthy destination, but this railroad has its advantages. For me, after moving from the Frostburg/Cumberland areas with all of its railroading connections, it is great just to breathe coal gas! And, the Strasburg area also has that dairy farming atmosphere that brings back other sensual memories. In the busy months, this railroad has two trains on the single line at one time and watching the well-timed meets at Groff's with its spring switch siding is interesting. Although certainly not in mountainous country, the westbound grade is 1% or more, making the steam locomotives strain. Finally, if you are a family person with a spouse not into "old trains", that person can do some outlet shopping or some other thing while you take in the Stasburg. And, do not forget the Railroad Museum right across the street!
Here is the view of the Railroad Museum across the street and some locals in a prevalent form of transportation.
I do not know the origins of this Brill motorcar.
This GE 44 tonner was formerly Pennsylvania RR 9331. When the Strasburg operated some of its earlier lighter steam locomtives, this diesel was required to move longer trains westbound.
One wonders if this classic Russell snowplow was used during the snowy '03 winter. If so did any one get photos?
The Strasburg did a super job in restoring this Ma & Pa boxcar. Note that the M&PA car is for online loading only. The always cash strapped road elected not to make mandatory upgrades in the 1920's to allow their equipment to qualify for interchange. The M&PA got back into the interchange business in a big way in the 1970's when new owners made a business of rebuilding other roads' boxcars and sending them forth to earn per diem.
Although the engine house looks like it dates back to the original owners, it was built after the railroad first acquired steam in the 1960's. In fact, the entire terminal area was an open field before the current tourist operation with the original Strasburg facilities closer to downtown.
- August 4, 2002-
Note that 475 is connected backwards to the train. The locomotive backs eastbound, runs around the train and then pulls smokebox first on the way home. According a great book on this railroad that can be bought for a couple of bucks on the train, this locomotive was built by Baldwin in 1909 for the N&W. After avoiding the torch for a while on the N&W, this locomotive was destined for the scrapper but was saved by a fellow from Holsopple PA. After this great person's death, the locomotive went on a Midwest odyssey before being permanently restored (at a substantial cost) by the Strasburg.
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