Frequent Questions
- How big is the Museum?
- The Museum is on 18 acres of land, including a 100,000 square foot exhibit hall for the display of over 50 pieces indoors. Additional displays are stored outside in our Restoration Yard. There are over 100 locomotives and railroad cars.
- Is the Museum heated and air conditioned?
- The main building is, and the large exhibit hall where the trains are is now climate controlled with a modern geothermal system, so temperature extremes are no longer a problem.
- Are there any "open" locomotives or cars?
- Not all rolling stock pieces are open for public inspection, for safety and preservation reasons.
Visitors can get up close to observe closed pieces from ground level, or from special platforms. Several key pieces are accessible to the public, including a steam locomotive cab, a caboose, and a passenger car.
- May I take pictures?
- Bring your camera! Indoors and out. (Commercial photography or unusual activity subject to restriction; please call in advance.)
- Is the outdoor yard always open?
- Not always. Its primary purpose is to store rolling stock awaiting restoration. Although access to it is not a part of the regular program, we open it as much as possible.
There is no additional charge for access to the yard, but donations to assist the restoration activity are most appreciated. - How long does it take to go through the Museum?
- That depends on your interest and whether special events are ongoing. A visitor can go through the Museum, take part in a scheduled tour and visit the Whistle Stop Shop in about two hours. A minimum time is one hour. Stay as long as you want!
- Can we leave the building and then come back?
- Tickets are good for the entire day of purchase. We're happy to have you back if you leave to ride the train on the Strasburg Rail Road, or for any other reason. Please retain your receipt and show it at the front desk when you return.
- Do you have food in the Museum? Is there any place to eat?
- Food or beverages cannot be brought in to the Museum. However, an area with a soda machine and picnic tables is located near the Yard entrance on Platform Five West. Occasionally, during special events, an on-site vendor may sell food and beverages in specified areas.
- Do any of the locomotives still run?
- No. Some of the locomotives COULD become operable again with some VERY EXPENSIVE rebuilding work.
These are not ordinary locomotives, but have special historic value which must be preserved for future visitors to enjoy. - How do we ride the train? What other activities are available nearby?
- We don't offer train rides, but the Strasburg Rail Road is located directly across the street from the Museum. Check with our front desk and ask about combined tickets.
For information, call the Strasburg Rail Road at 717 687-7522, or see their web site at www.strasburgrailroad.com. The Museum and the Rail Road are independent operations, as is the nearby National Toy Train Museum. - Do you have any special events or trips?
- Special events include "Home for the Holidays," "Trains and Troops," and featured railroads days. The Friends of the Museum sponsors several Museum "rambles" annually.
- Who owns the Museum? When did it open?
Opened in 1975, the Museum is owned and operated by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, an agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Additional funding and operational support is provided by the Friends of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. - Was this an old railroad station or shop?
- No. Although our neighbor, the Strasburg Railroad, dates to 1832, the Museum is the first structure built specifically to house a railroad collection in the United States. A 1995 addition to the main hall was designed to reflect the architecture of a 19th Century trainshed.
More Questions?
Call Us 717 687-8628
Answered during open hours.
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Answered during weekdays.