posted Jan 29, 2024

All Things Train in Lancaster, PA

•Train-themed attractions straight ahead!•

All aboard! Calling all train enthusiasts, Lancaster is full of train-themed attractions. From museums and history, to rides and restaurants we have plenty of things for your railroad itinerary.

We even have our very own “train town,” Strasburg, PA. Plus, there are many train events for you to add to your calendar.

Events

Attractions

Stay

Eat

Events:

Wine & Cheese Train
Strasburg Rail Road
All aboard at the Strasburg Rail Road for regional wines and cheese from Town Clock Cheese Shoppe in Gap, PA. On the return trip you can select your favorite wine from the samplings, take in the scenery, and enjoy more fruit and cheese. Beer is also available for an additional cost.

Legacy of Sleepy Hollow
Strasburg Rail Road
Discover the true Legacy of Sleepy Hollow, only at the Strasburg Rail Road! The greatest ghost story ever told did not tell us the whole story. Join Isabel Crane, the great-great-granddaughter of the legendary Ichabod Crane, as she takes you on a frightful journey filled with sword fights, ghosts, and a centuries-old curse surrounding her family.

Christmas Trains
Strasburg Rail Road
Hop onboard Santa's Paradise Express, Night Before Christmas Train, the Christmas Tree Train, Santa's Christmas Trolley, or the Christmas Caboose Charter to ring in the holiday season.

Santa's Surprise Train
Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad
Santa visits with gifts for the children on board (infant through age 11). Bring a camera for pictures with Santa! Snack concessions are available on board.

Attractions

Strasburg Rail Road
Did you know that Lancaster County is home to America’s oldest operating railroad? Strasburg Rail Road was founded in 1832 and is still running today. Visitors can enjoy a 45-minute train ride through the picturesque farmland in Presidential, first-class, coach, and open-air cars. Once you are back at the station children can explore and play on pint-sized Pufferbelly and Cranky Cars. Throughout the year special events like Thomas, wine & cheese trains, trivia night trains, Santa’s Paradise, Christmas Tree Train, Night Before Christmas Trains, and other events are held. Be sure to check the railroad’s website for more information on events and tickets to these popular, themed rides.

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
At this hands-on museum, train enthusiasts can sit in an engineer’s seat, explore a caboose, experience a turn-of-the-century passenger station, and inspect a 62-ton locomotive from underneath. With more than 100 historic locomotives and vintage railroad cars, the Museum is Pennsylvania’s premier museum of railroading and offers a world-class collection in addition to an education center and working restoration shop. True history lovers can even review their library and archives by appointment. The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania has several themed days throughout the year, like Reading Railroad Days, 1940s Swing Dance, Trains & Troops, and more! Dates and more information on these special events can be found on their website.
Check out the Whistle Stop Shop at the museum for some train memorabilia.

Middletown and Hummelstown Railroad
Enjoy an 11-mile train ride along the Swatara Creek and learn the history of the surrounding area. This 75-minute ride through the Swatara Creek Valley offers live narration and sing-alongs as well as special events like the Easter Bunny Express, Chicken BBQ Specials, Mother’s Day Special Dinner, Civil War Train Rides, and more! The original railroad company was founded in 1888 and was used by the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad until 1976.

Choo Choo Barn- Traintown, U.S.A.®
Experience one of America’s largest, most engaging custom model train displays. With more than 1,700 square feet of special model train display, 22 operating trains, and over 150 hand-built animated figures and vehicles, this display is sure to impress you. The layout represents many scenes traditionally found around Lancaster County, such as Dutch Wonderland Family Amusement Park, the Strasburg Rail Road, and even an authentic Amish barn raising. If you are visiting during the holiday season, stop by to see if you can find all the hidden Santas in the display.

Barnyard Kingdom
All aboard the Country Barn Express. Destination? Scenic farm views of a real working farm! Now part of your experience visiting Barnyard Kingdom you can ride the 2-foot scale track train around the farm. From your seat of the open-air car you can see the barnyard animals, sprawling farmland, and farm operations. During the Christmas season, ride the train out to the Christmas tree field to cut your own tree!

National Toy Train Museum
Showcasing an extensive collection of toy trains from the mid-1800s to the present, train collectors will love the National Toy Train Museum. The museum even has seven interactive, operating layouts and represents over 100 different manufacturers. There is also a research library with information on toy trains and their manufacturers. The train displays are revised and updated yearly.

Northern Central Railway
Northern Central Railway offers riders an authentic experience via a replica Civil War-era steam locomotive as well as a mid-20th century diesel locomotive. The trains followed along the historic Northern Central Railway, which was a critical railroad that helped enable the Union victory in the Civil War and played a major role in the Industrial Revolution, allowing for the transportation of products to wide geographic markets. President Abraham Lincoln rode the Northern Central Railway to and from Gettysburg when delivering the Gettysburg Address, and his funeral train passed from Baltimore to York via the NCRR.

Family Fun at Oregon Dairy
Hop aboard The Barnyard Express and enjoy a tour of Oregon Dairy's Family Dairy Farm. Meet the dairy herd, visit friendly farm animals, and learn about agriculture during your tour. The train will even take you right through the barn where the hard-working dairy cows live!

Gettysburg Lincoln Railroad Station
Whether you’re beginning your Gettysburg journey or returning to reflect, the Gettysburg Lincoln Railroad Station invites you to step into history at the station where U.S. history was made. Explore the stories of a field hospital during battle, a presidential passenger and a railway to recovery. Through interpretive banners, historic artifacts and a brief orientation film, the station tells the story of its historic roles before, during and after the Battle of Gettysburg—and the stories of the people who passed through its doors.

Reading & Northern Railroad
Climb aboard a train on the Reading & Northern Railroad and take a day trip to one of PA’s picturesque locations. This summer explore what Downtown Pottsville has to offer, including a Yuengling Brewery Tour, Jerry’s Classic Cars & Collectibles Museum, The Pottsville Outdoor Market, and more! Available June – December, take the train to Jim Thorpe, highly regarded by many for its picturesque Poconos backdrop and small-town charm.

Rough and Tumble Engineers Historical Association offers you to explore the sprawling 33 acre musuem that features antique steam engines, blacksmith shops, tractor pulls, and so much more.

Strasburg Train Shop
One of the most well stocked model railroading supply stores in Pennsylvania with more than 2,000 square feet of engines, rolling stock, buildings, scenery, tools and an extensive collection of die-cast. We specialize in detail parts…you won’t find this selection anywhere else!

York Train Fair
Hosted by the Eastern Division of the Train Collectors Association (TCA), the York Train Fair is the premier event for model train enthusiasts, collectors, and families alike. Held biannually in nearby York, Pennsylvania, this legendary meet brings together thousands of hobbyists from around the world for six expansive halls of buying, selling, learning, and connecting since 1969.

Where To Stay

Red Caboose Motel
If you find there is too much to do in one day, why not stay the night in your own train car? At the Red Caboose Motel you can choose from 38 cabooses, a baggage car, and a mail car to sleep in. All cars are decorated in schemes of America’s most favorite railroads.

Loose Caboose Campground
Your family will love their playground and look around the real train car on the property. They are also pet-friendly.

Where To Eat

Cafe 1832
After your ride aboard the historic Strasburg Rail Road you can eat at their on-site restaurant. This historic atmosphere is the perfect setting for lunch, dinner, or just a quick bite. Under the direction of former Disney Chef and graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Phillip Ponticelli, Café 1832 is family-friendly, featuring a scratch-made menu using fresh ingredients for seasonal dishes including soups, salads, sandwiches, and dinner options. Gluten free and vegetarian options are available.

Casey Jones Restaurant
Also located at the Red Caboose visitors can dine at Casey Jones Restaurant for breakfast, lunch, or dinner in an actually Pullman dining car. The menu features many Pennsylvania Dutch favorites for you to enjoy as you watch trains and buggies go by.

Transportation to Lancaster

Before you set off on your adventure to Lancaster, PA, make sure you’re familiar with how to get to and from, and around Lancaster. There is so much to see in each corner of the county, so it’s helpful to understand the resources available during your trip in order to make your travel plans less stressful.

If you're coming in by train be sure to stop at Last Call Coffee at the Lancaster Train Station.

Transportation in Lancaster, PA