On Sunday the 14th I will be driving across the PA turnpike on my way home. I would like to do some rail fanning on my way home since I am driving home by myself and can stop at anytime.
Where should I stop? I would like to see some steam but anything interesting will do. Where should I go?
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Depending on where you start adn how long you have, there are a few possibilities.
Strasburg RR and the Pensylvania RR museum are located in Strasburg PA, not that far east of Philly. Strasburg runs steam, the museum has a large collection of stteamers on display.
Steamtown is in Scranton, a ways off the turnpike. They have a large collection on display and I think run some. I have not been there in some years.
The East Broadtop is in Orbisonia PA. They are currently not running I think. they have 6 narrow gauge steamers. It is a tourist line but all the origianl buildings are there along iwth quite a few original freight and passenger cars. Not too far off the Pike.
there is always the Horseshoe Curve. No steam, but should be some nice action. Altoona itself might be good too and there is a museum there also.
If you are going to get off the turnpike and continue west on I70 toward columbus, there is a very nice streetcar museum very near Washington PA. they run some cars at least every weekend. A couple of mile ride I think.
If you really want to get off the path and chase some modern stuff, go down to Sandpatch on the old B&O or Mann's Curve in Maryland. All CSX now, but neat spots. Probably not easy to get to as a side trip across the state. Just a little too far.
If you are going out the turnpike to Ohio, you can get off at exit 18 (I think) and right next to the turnpike there is a little town called Homewood. the old PRR comes up out of the Beaver River valley right there and makes a sweeping curve as it turns west to cross Ohio. that is now the NS main.
Strasburg/RRMoP, Lehigh Valley Scenic Gorge Railway, Steamtown.
You can get off at Harrisburg and drive a few minutes north to the Rockville stone bridge. You can sit in the middle of the wye at the east end and look right onto the bridge.
I would say that you should visit Strasburg and maybe go see the York in Gettysburg (that new 4-4-0).
In the Harrisburg area - Enola yard is about 10 miles north from Exit 242 (West shore/Harrisburg) on the PA Turnpike. Near the Rockville bridge already mentioned. Rutherford Intermodal Yard is 6 miles north off the turnpike Exit 247 (East Shore/Harrisburg)
If you go to Strasberg, be sure to visit the TCA Toy Train Museum.
Look up Reading and Northern Railroad, they have a tourist line by another name but it has a link on the website, just look for it. It is between Hamburg and Allentown PA, near I-78, I think the city is called Jim Thorpe PA.
Strasburg is probably the best for railroad stuff, real stuff and model RR. It is in Lancaster County just east of the city of Lancaster PA.
Lee Fritz
From the turnpike its also not a long stretch to the Middletown and Hummelstown RR, sort between Harrisburg and Hershey.
Bang for your buck in my opinion though Strasburg area is your best bet without wandering to far from the 'pike. With the Strasburg RR you are basically guaranteed to see steam in action. Additionally you have the Toy Train Museum (Not sure if its open on you're travel day) and the PA state RR musuem. There is also plenty of good places to eat and some shopping for the other half if you're not traveling alone.
Enjoy PA
Look up Reading and Northern Railroad, they have a tourist line by another name but it has a link on the website, just look for it. It is between Hamburg and Allentown PA, near I-78, I think the city is called Jim Thorpe PA.
Strasburg is probably the best for railroad stuff, real stuff and model RR. It is in Lancaster County just east of the city of Lancaster PA.
Lee Fritz
Thanks for the great ideas.
I should have mentioned that I already plan to visit Strasburg earlier in the week, most likely Thursday. I am hopping they have some freight going that day but otherwise I will get some great shots of the trains and be visiting the TCA museum.
I like the idea of seeing the Rockville Bridge. How much action is there across it on Sundays? I plan to leave the Philly area about 6:30am so I should get there by 8:30-9am ish.
There are main lines feeding it from both the north and south on both sides of the bridge. The bridge it's self is a four track mainline. But Sunday could be slow. I have not spent much time there since the end of Conrail, so hopefully someone with more current information can help.
How about a Civil War era 4-4-0 that is less than 3 months old?
No. 17, the YORK, was outshopped by Kloke Locomotive Works in Elgin, IL, in MAY, 2013. She was constructed from plans used for three replicas. The first two were UP No. 119 and CP JUPITER at Golden Spike National Historic Site at Promontory, Utah. Mr. Kloke built his own replica from those plans and named her the LEVIATHAN. No. 17, the YORK, has smaller drivers for the 5-mile 2% southbound grade to New Freedom.
From Strasburg, take Route 30 West to I-83 at York. Go South on I-83 to Exit 4 - Shrewsbury and Route 851. Turn right on E Forrest Avenue. Follow that road (Route 851) and signs to New Freedom. When the road ends at a "T: intersection in New Freedom, turn LEFT. The station is ahead on the right.
Go to www.steamintohistory.com for schedules and tickets.
Generally, the 9:00 AM train goes to Glen Rock and returns. Trains departing New Freedom at Noon and at 3:00 PM run the length of the line to Hanover Junction. President Abraham Lincoln traveled this route when he delivered his Gettysburg Address. This route - the Northern Central - was acquired by the Pennsylvania Railroad.
If you have time to visit Philadelphia by SEPTA or Amtrak, I recommend Reading Terminal Market at 12th & Market Streets (www.readingterminalmarket.com). Reading Terminal has been restored as PA Convention Center. Two escalators take passengers up from Market Street East station. Near the top of the second escalator, a magnificent 13-track train shed - the largest single-span train shed remaining in North America - unfolds overhead. Reading Terminal Market is a genuine farmers' market in the heart of downtown Philadelphia.
Within walking distance, along Benjamin Franklin Parkway, is The Franklin Institute (www.fi.edu). The Train Factory (formerly Railroad Hall) offers cab rides in Baldwin 3-cylinder compound 4-10-2 No. 60000. On display are the ROCKET, the oldest surviving Philadelphia & Reading locomotive, and People's Railway No. 3, an ancient 4-4-0 with a mysterious past.
Returning to 30th Street Station from Market Street East station or Suburban Station (beneath City Hall), board any train on Tracks 3 and 4.
Pennsylvania RR Museaum in Strasburg, across from Strasburg RR. They have a huge collection of PRR and other local RR eqpt, much indoors.
Sunday AM can be slow in terms of traffic. Lately, between 9 and 11 AM, you can usually catch a couple of eastbound unit trains (oil and stacks) and one westbound stack. And sometimes there will be power moves between Rutherford and Enola.
Poppyl
The PA Turnpike (I 76), itself, is a historic event. One of the first interstate attempts, it is still being rebuilt and modified. Mid sections near the Midway rest/fuel plazas, I believe, uses parts of the Pennsylvania and Southern RR right of way. Currently there are (4) tunnels. Cost from the Deleware River Bridge to Ohio Gateway is $39.15, with EZ-Pass $30.77. Most noted newer construction, two bridges, across the Susquehanna River, Harrisburg, and across the Allegheny River, Pittsburgh. In the mountain areas some of the old right-of-way/tunnel portals are still visible. I believe at one time as many as (7) tunnels. Not the great western mountains but an impressive display of the eastern Appalachian Mts.
Enjoy the trip.
Mike
Don't forget to consider Roadside America, one of the oldest and largest O-gauge operating layouts. It is on Route 22 in Shartlesville, East of Harrisburg.
http://www.roadsideamericainc.com/
It looks like the East Broadtop narrow gauge will be operating steam on the week ends.
There is a model railroad club called the Western PA Model Railroad museum with an impressive O gauge layout in Gibsonia, just across the river from Orbsonia. Also in Orbsonia is the Rockhill trolley museum.
1. STEAMtown is not operating ANY steam power at this time!
2. Strasburg RR and the RR Museum of PA are worth a visit any time!
3. "Steam into History" with its brand new 4-4-0 is located at New Freedom, NOT Gettysburg.
4. The East Broad Top is not in operation, but worth a visit if you're into early 20th century industrial architecture. You can walk around the property with no hassle. There's also a trolley museum there that may be running.
One more suggestion: Instead of the turnpike, take US22. It's not that much longer and it's FREE! ...and in my opinion, more interesting.
On the other hand, remember that part of the turnpike follows a stillborn railroad ROW.
I'm assuming you are driving east to west. If not, reverse the order. Suggested stops:
That should keep you pretty busy. 
George
How far off of the turnpike is Horseshoe curve?
I will be hitting the rockville bridge, even if I only hit a train or two I want to see this bridge.
I will be doing Strasburg either Thursday or Friday and if I have time I will head down to New Freedom to see the York.
Keep the ideas coming. I have all day to get form NJ to Michigan and driving alone so I can make any stops I want, unlike when I make the drive with the wife and kids.
Hi
Your welcom to visit our club tonight will be here till around 11:00 to night.
you can go to the web sight for derections http://henningstrains.com/NPOG.html
or call (267) 222-8548 ask for Harry.
How far off of the turnpike is Horseshoe curve?
Its been a while for me (I usually drive to Altoona from the East Broad Top RR on another mountain) .... but, less than a hour.
Shame you're starting out so early in the morning. Don't know if you've ever been there, but Nicholas Smith Trains is just west of Phili .... not far from the turnpike. Its a pretty cool shop, and you can get a pretty good breakfast at the Thunderbird Diner right there.
Enjoy your trip.
Horseshoe curve is about an hour off turnpike coming from east.
How far off of the turnpike is Horseshoe curve?
Its been a while for me (I usually drive to Altoona from the East Broad Top RR on another mountain) .... but, less than a hour.
Shame you're starting out so early in the morning. Don't know if you've ever been there, but Nicholas Smith Trains is just west of Phili .... not far from the turnpike. Its a pretty cool shop, and you can get a pretty good breakfast at the Thunderbird Diner right there.
Enjoy your trip.
No I haven't been there. I am staying in NJ just outside of Philly so I could make a day trip there this week.
>> I have all day to get form NJ to Michigan..
According to MapQuest, from here in Somerville to Detroit is a 9-hour-plus drive via I-80 - without stops! ...10 hours via the PA Turnpike.
Of course, when I was younger I thought nothing of a 18-hour day. I once made it to North Bay, Ontario in a single day.
Enjoy!
It looks like the East Broadtop narrow gauge will be operating steam on the week ends.
http://www.spikesys.com/EBT/visiting.html
>> The 2010 season begins June 5 and ends October 31.<<
That page hasn't been updated since!
4. The East Broad Top is not in operation, but worth a visit if you're into early 20th century industrial architecture. You can walk around the property with no hassle. There's also a trolley museum there that may be running.
That's the Rockhill Trolley Museum and it's in operation!! Check their web page.
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