One Tank Getaway:
Strasburg Railroad

by Julie & Greg Peters

PACK ALONG

Camera, picnic lunch for train ride


DIRECTIONS:
Travel west on 283 out of Harrisburg. Follow 30 East to 896 East — located at corner of Rockvale Square. Follow 896 East into Strasburg and turn left at light onto Route 741. Follow to Strasburg Railroad Station.


PLACES TO STAY:
Strasburg Village Inn Bed & Breakfast
687-0766

Red Caboose Motel
(in a real caboose)
687-5000

Historic Strasburg Inn
687-7691


PLACES TO EAT:
Red Caboose Restaurant
Dine in railroad car with lifelike sound effects and movement
687-5000

Iron Horse Inn
687-6362
Good ‘n Plenty
PA Dutch, family-style dining
394-7111

Being that so many Harrisburg residents only visit Lancaster to go outlet shopping, we decided to focus this One Tank Getaway on a favorite little town in the eastern part of the county - Strasburg.
We were joined on this folly by another Harrisburg resident and a Downtown resident of 30 years. Both of whom were new to this Lancaster tourist thing. We were also joined by two real live tourists from Louisiana. It was with great pleasure that we were chauffeured around in a vehicle with Louisiana license plates — with all of the freedoms taken by tourist drivers. Throughout our day we took every opportunity at making illegal turns, blocking traffic while our group tried to come to a consensus as to where we wanted to go next, and stopping and turning suddenly when we realized we’d missed yet another Dutch Country craft store (incidentally, the latter tourist driving technique caused the least amount of horn honking — since no turn signal was used, other drivers were probably tricked into thinking we had a Pennsylvania driver behind the wheel!)

First, we traveled 283 South to Lancaster and enjoyed great belly laughs every time we had to remind the naive Louisiana tourists that this ‘sorry’ stretch of road is considered a premier highway in Pennsylvania! After Route 283 merged with Route 30 East we had to begin reminding ourselves that even if we didn’t stop at the last motel, PA Dutch Cooking diner, bank, outlet store or gas station we passed, we’d find another one and yet another one still further down the road. No need for heavy braking along this stretch of road.

Finally we made it to 896 East and were able to make good on our promise to let our tourists "Gawk at the Amish". There were actually screams of delight every time we passed one of the Plain buggies. Sometimes its hard to remember how much of a novelty this is to tourists, but it explains the slow movement and utter satisfaction among tourists at following too closely behind these buggies for far too long before passing them by.

Along 896 we passed some of the top draws in the county for out of towners. The Amish Village, Living Waters, Gast Classic Motorcars Exhibit, Eldredth Pottery and Ed’s Buggy Rides. However, we passed by all of these attractions on our way to the train mecca in Strasburg, along Route 741.

Everything in this section of Strasburg seems to be about trains. Our first stop was at the Strasburg Railroad. Upon seeing the large number of tourist vehicles in the parking lot, we became a little concerned about not having reservations. However we soon learned that the two sightseeing trains could accommodate hundreds of passengers each, without any delays.

We decided to purchase boarding passes for the relatively elite Parlor Car. Tickets prices range from $7.50 for adults and $4.00 for children and up depending upon the type of boarding pass you purchased. We were all very pleased with the ambience cast by the parlor car’s decor: paneling with brass and mirrored accents to complement the velvet parlor chairs and small tables. A server was present to provide a selection of beverages and snacks to be enjoyed during your excursion including pretzels, muffins and cookies as well as coffee, apple juice, non-alcoholic beer, water and tea. (Priced from $ .80 to $1.85 each, gratuity not included) A larger range of menu items is available for passengers of the dining car.

The train ride provided an exciting journey through the farmlands of rural Lancaster County. Trains stop along the way for passengers to disembark for a picnic at a pavilion along the tracks. You may bring your own lunches or purchase a box lunch at the train station prior to your trip. You can re-board future trains that will be passing by every 20 minutes or so to complete your journey. Amidst the farms, you’ll pass the Amazing Maize Maze - the World’s Largest Maze. This is designed out of corn fields and can be visited from early August throughout the end of September.

Along the trip the conductor will describe some of the local lore, even if this is somewhat inaudible due to the noise of the train. We encourage you to obtain seats either in the first or last car since these passengers will be able to watch the engine car be moved from the front of the train and reconnected to the rear of the train prior to the train heading back the same track toward the station. The Strasburg Railroad also provides full dinners in the dining car on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings that allow more intimate travel along the rails.

Back at the station, walk across the street to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. For a small admission price, you’ll be able to trace the history of the different types of trains and their uses over the years, as well as see actual samples of various trains.

Shoppers will enjoy browsing the many shops that are nestled within the station and along Route 741. Scale model and Thomas the Train collectors will find the shops particularly interesting. Additionally, the Choo Choo Barn provides a 1,700 square foot operating train display.

After you’ve enjoyed the railroad sights in Strasburg, you’ll want to head back up to the corner where 896 and 741 meet. Stop by the Strasburg Country Store and Creamery and delight in some homemade ice cream (you gotta try the caramel/butterscotch blend - WOW!). While here, enjoy the folk arts, baskets, dolls and penny candy available within. There are other noteworthy shops and a pizza/sub restaurant at these crossroads, also. There’s also a bakery worth trying within a short walk heading west up Route 896. Overnighters might want to check out the accommodations at the Strasburg Village Inn Bed & Breakfast, right next door to the country store or the Historic Strasburg Inn, within a mile up Route 896.

After refreshing yourselves, you can head back up 896 West past the Sight and Sound entertainment complex to the Living Waters Auditorium. We chose this as our third stop because the advertisements describing "liquid fireworks" intrigued us. While the show ($5.50 for adults and $2 for children) was unlike anything we’d ever seen before, it might be a little too much for most visitors. In fact, while we consider ourselves to be both patriotic and Christian, this show really forced the issue. Even though the water and light displays were exceptional, this and the air conditioned, comfortable theater would be our only reasons for going back there again. Probably a good bet for elderly tourists, or those that are suffering from withdrawal from political convention presentations.

Other activities you’ll want to include on your trip have already been mentioned, but we do want to remind you that you’ll need to start heading back up 896 to make it to the outlets before they close. You wouldn’t want to get there late because you were stuck behind some tourists gawking at the Amish, right?