I know this has been discussed in the past. I am thinking about heading to Strasburg to witness the 611 in action. I simply would like to be at track side, somewhere if that's at all going to be possible. Or is it going to be like the opening day of fishing in Pennypack Creek when I was sixteen. Shoulder to shoulder. The old men getting grumpy 'cause I want a spot.
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Pennypack Creek ??? - Holy crap what part of Northeast Philly are / were you from ?
I was from Bustleton 
I can't recall how many grade crossings there were on the rail line. Most of it seems like private property except for the grade crossings. perhaps a Google satellite view would help.
I would think that you could be comfortably shoulder to shoulder at the station area. The shop tour looks interesting - only $25
The engine is running for 6 weeks in Strasburg (a bunch of us riding during the York meet). You might want to be 'strategic' about when you go. It's really nice just to sit in Strasburg and watch the trains arrive, depart, and turn. Also filling up the water is right there near the station.
If you want a visit without the crowds, pick on of the later weekends. The first weekend will be a zoo, and the second weekend is the photo charters, so that will really be a zoo. Later in the month, the crowds will die down a bit. You can't "chase" it as the line is too short, so pick a crossing and wait for them. Ride a trip also. Midday sun is ugly, and selling tickets goes a long way to making the trip up there profitable.
dorfj2 posted:Pennypack Creek ??? - Holy crap what part of Northeast Philly are / were you from ?
I was from Bustleton
Just a bit south of Cottman and the Boulevard. As kids we would walk over to Browse Ave. where it meets the park. I haven't been by there in many years, so if memory serves Brouse Ave. ends about there as it curves around the park. Correct me if my memory is wrong. There used to be a Park Guard station there. We'd fish for Bluegill off the foot bridge just up from where the main stream joins a small tributary. We also spent alot of time at the Torresdale waterfall. I do recall once seeing a switcher pushing or pulling some freight cars over the trestle at Torresdale.
As we got older and discovered girls, "Little City" was always a good spot to go after a movie on Saturday night. Then we graduated to the street that runs into State Road at the water works.
Many good memories of growing up in the Northeast in the fifties and sixties.
There's a couple of Arcadia Press books that have some pretty good photos of the Northeast.
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