Just want to get an opinion of someone who's been to Steamtown. We live in Southern New Jersey and go to the Strasburg railroad a few times a year. I was thinking about taking my son ot Steamtown this coming Sunday. Obviously the Big Boy would be a big plus, just wondering how the rest of it compares with Strasburg. Do they have a model store there?
Thanks
Dan
I spent about three hours at Steamtown but it was on a cloudy day the end of December a couple years ago while on the way to Key West, FL.
I was able to walk through the yard will no problems even with a 2-8-2 pulling a couple passenger cars.
Right in front of a 0-4-0 which is in front of the Big Boy is a turnout with Catenary that connects to a trolley line.
http://s98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/richg1998/?action=view¤t=mvi_0456.flv
(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/richg1998/Roundhouse2.jpg)
(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/richg1998/Roundhouse1.jpg)
I have been to Strasburg but in the early fall so hard to compare.
Rich
Dan,
Steamtown is worth at least one visit. You can see several engines out in the parking lot including the Big Boy, a Grand Trunk Western 4-8-2, a Reading T-1, 4-8-4, and a 2-8-0. There is also a trolley ride at the far side of the parking lot.
Steamtown does not have all the stores on the property like Strasburg does, but a walkway takes you up over the yard to a shopping mall in downtown Scranton.
Steamtown tries to present the visitor with a feel for what railroading was and is like including an opportunity to go into the shops where they work on engines. There is an overhead viewing walkway in the shops to give you a unique view.
One cannot really compare Strasburg and Steamtwon due to the fact that Strasburg is in the middle of a "tourist trap" area with several museums and trains constantly running.
I have been into the Steamtown museum several times and always enjoy my visits.
I'll echo Bob's comments - Steamtown is a museum of railroading, while Strasburg is a tourist railroad. At Strasburg, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania is across the road, where there is lots of nice equipment stuffed and mounted. The normal ride at Steamtown is quite short, just from the yard area up just past the former DL&W station (now a hotel). They occasionally run longer trips up to Moscow or Pocono Summit, and those are worth the time and effort. There is a smallish gift shop right near the entrance from the parking lot. If you do visit and have the time, I do recommend the trolley ride. It runs mostly on the former L&WV interurban right-of-way, including a mile-long tunnel.
Here are a few pics from Steamtown. It was worth the visit to me.
http://www.sarget.com/traintour/steamtown/traintour-pasteamtown.html (http://www.sarget.com/traintour/steamtown/traintour-pasteamtown.html)
Few more videos. Hope they work.
http://s98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/richg1998/?action=view¤t=mvi_0421.flv
http://s98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/richg1998/?action=view¤t=mvi_0458.flv
http://s98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/richg1998/?action=view¤t=mvi_0473.flv
http://s98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/richg1998/?action=view¤t=mvi_0481.flv
http://s98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/richg1998/?action=view¤t=mvi_0433.flv
There is a gift store in part of the oil house with a tank car outside the house. Als a work train with crane nearby. Plenty to see.
Rich
This may add a few hours to the trip making it an overnighter, but a trip to horse shoe curve and the east broad top would be well worth it. the EBT has a large and old and 1 of a kind shop for engine repairs. There is a trolley museum and they have rides available behind steam, in trolleys and on speeders.
Remember, a trip to the EBT needs to be on a Saturday or Sunday as that is the only two days of the week they run the trains and speeder rides. The trolleys, I think, run other days of the week.
Thanks everyone. Think I'm leaning towards Strasburg. Want a nice day out for my son who's 5 and I'm thinking that he would probably enjoy Strasburg more, plus it's only a total of 3 hours in the car rather than up to 6. Definately will do Steamtown one day though, maybe try and get one of their excursions.
Dan
Now knowing that your son is so young, I think the Strasburg decisions is absolutely the best choice!!
I agree. With a 5-year old, the cacaphony of Strasburg with the train ride, the crank-it train for kids, etc., is the better option for short attention spans. Steamtown is better when he's about 10 or so.
Quote from: ebtnut on May 14, 2010, 02:28:34 PM
I agree. With a 5-year old, the cacaphony of Strasburg with the train ride, the crank-it train for kids, etc., is the better option for short attention spans. Steamtown is better when he's about 10 or so.
And I understand that a couple times a year, Thomas comes to visit Strasburg. :)
Quote from: Johnson Bar Jeff on May 14, 2010, 02:31:54 PM
Quote from: ebtnut on May 14, 2010, 02:28:34 PM
I agree. With a 5-year old, the cacaphony of Strasburg with the train ride, the crank-it train for kids, etc., is the better option for short attention spans. Steamtown is better when he's about 10 or so.
And I understand that a couple times a year, Thomas comes to visit Strasburg. :)
I just love Google. Did a quick search for Strasburg Thomas. Have fun.
http://www.strasburgrailroad.com/day-out-with-thomas.php
I also searched You Tube for Strasburg PA Thomas. Have more fun. Turn up the speakers.
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Strasburg+PA+thomas&aq=f
It is quite surprising what you can find for all kinds of railroading on You Tube.
Rich
Theres lots to do in Strasbourg for a young railfan.
Start by visiting the Choo Choo barn a large model RR layout. While you are there go to the hobby shop next door and buy a commemorative boxcar for your layout.
By all means take the trip on Strasbourg RR however skip the dinning car the food is not worth the price. You can also skip the A/C car we found the regular coaches quite comfortable.
Buy a combo ticket with the Pennsylvania RR museum across the street but go the next day as your son will probably be tired out after the train ride. Then consider going to the National Toy Train Museum.
We opted not to stay at the Red Caboose Motel (I think that was the name) but if you stay there you will sleep in a real caboose. We happened to like the Best Western on the outskirts of Lancaster which has both an outdoor and indoor pool with a hot tub.
There are a few non rail things of interest. First you are in Amish County so you might want to visit one of their farms that offer buggy rides. Next there is Dutch Wonderland a local amusement park and finally there is the National Christmas Museum a sort of nostalgic look back at the Christmases I never had but my Fiance' did.
Have fun.
Joe
If steam is important, your best bet is Strasburg. Steam really isn't a guarantee at Steamtown.
If you spend the night, DO NOT spend the night at the Caboose Motel. (Consider this a fair warning!)
Thanks everyone. Strasburg it is. We've been quite a few times, my Avatar (the little picture on my posts, I think that's what it's called) is my son and me riding in the caboose behind Thomas on one of the day outs with Thomas there. Next one is I think in June and we're definately planning on attending. This weekend my wife will be away on business so we're looking for a 'boy's day'. Thought I might try Steamtown, but looks like Strasburg will be much more enjoyable for him. Haven't made it to the Choo Choo barn before so I'm going to make a point of getting there this time.
Thanks again
Dan
Quote from: Joe323 on May 14, 2010, 04:14:10 PM
Theres lots to do in Strasbourg for a young railfan.
Start by visiting the Choo Choo barn a large model RR layout. While you are there go to the hobby shop next door and buy a commemorative boxcar for your layout.
By all means take the trip on Strasbourg RR however skip the dinning car the food is not worth the price. You can also skip the A/C car we found the regular coaches quite comfortable.
Buy a combo ticket with the Pennsylvania RR museum across the street but go the next day as your son will probably be tired out after the train ride. Then consider going to the National Toy Train Museum.
We opted not to stay at the Red Caboose Motel (I think that was the name) but if you stay there you will sleep in a real caboose. We happened to like the Best Western on the outskirts of Lancaster which has both an outdoor and indoor pool with a hot tub.
There are a few non rail things of interest. First you are in Amish County so you might want to visit one of their farms that offer buggy rides. Next there is Dutch Wonderland a local amusement park and finally there is the National Christmas Museum a sort of nostalgic look back at the Christmases I never had but my Fiance' did.
Have fun.
Joe
And for an unforgettable dining experience, don't miss Jennie's Diner, on Route 30 East/Lincoln Highway, just east of where Route 896 cuts off the Lincoln Highway to go south to Strasburg.
The pancakes at Jennie's are the size of a turkey platter. ... :D
And for an unforgettable dining experience, don't miss Jennie's Diner, on Route 30 East/Lincoln Highway, just east of where Route 896 cuts off the Lincoln Highway to go south to Strasburg.
The pancakes at Jennie's are the size of a turkey platter. ...
We stop there it was dirty esp the restrooms We moved on.
My wife and I have been going to Dutch Country for back road biking since 85
make about 12-20 trips a year
Frequently hit the RR Museum and the RR at Strasburg
They usually run the Decapod or Mastadon and sometimes the Mogul
Here are the engines
http://bandb3536.com/strasburg.htm (http://bandb3536.com/strasburg.htm)
I believe #475 was running when we were there.
Quote from: Joe323 on May 17, 2010, 02:08:52 PM
And for an unforgettable dining experience, don't miss Jennie's Diner, on Route 30 East/Lincoln Highway, just east of where Route 896 cuts off the Lincoln Highway to go south to Strasburg.
The pancakes at Jennie's are the size of a turkey platter. ...
We stop there it was dirty esp the restrooms We moved on.
My dad and I have dinner there every Sunday when I go to visit him. There is always a line on Sundays. Never had a problem in the dining room. Food is good and abundant.
It's a truck-stop diner. If you want the Ritz-Carlton, go somewhere else.
Quote from: Johnson Bar Jeff on May 18, 2010, 04:45:52 PM
It's a truck-stop diner. If you want the Ritz-Carlton, go somewhere else.
Truck stop bathrooms aren't the best, sticking around my grandpa in Pennsylvania taught me enough about them! But its better than the roundhouse his dad worked at! ;D
Well me and the little guy had a great day. Got there in time to catch the end of the morning preparations with #90. #475 was steaming too for a while, but not running. Did the museum and the Choo Choo barn also.
Was going to get a bunch of pictures to postm but my wife too the camera with her on her trip.
Dan
It is too bad that Bachmann did make a model of #90
I have never been to Steamtown in Pennsylvania but I have seen many photos and it looks execellent. I look forward to going someday. I did however go to it when it was in Bellows Falls, Vermont in the late 1960's as a kid. It wasn't as large or nicely displayed but I thought it was great. One of my oldest and best railroad memories is climbing into the cab of the Big Boy. It was huge and I've never forgotten that. Definiteley take your kid(s) especially if they like trains. They will never forget it.
My speculation on why Bachmann did the Russian: First, a lot more railroads, including some big class 1's (Erie, SAL, WM, etc.), had Russian Decapods. Strasburg No. 90 (ex-Great Western 90) was one of only a few of that design built, almost all going to short lines. Second, the Russians got their name because they were built for Czarist Russian railways, and represent a pretty typical European design. I suspect the same basic mechanisim was used for Bachmann's continental market.