Background
Since its charter in 1832, the Strasburg Railroad continues to operate under the name of which it was created. This is the only railroad in the western hemisphere to accomplish this feat, as although ownership has changed, the name of the company remained constant. Considered one of the most popular tourist railroads in the United States, Strasburg attracts well over 300,000 guests annually.
Strasburg is unique as not only is it a tourist railroad, it also hauls revenue freight often utilizing a steam locomotive, which is a welcome treat in the modern era. This revenue freight is interchanged at Paradise, Pennsylvania, delivered by Norfolk Southern, via Amtrak’s Harrisburg-Philadelphia mainline, the Keystone Corridor.
Additionally, Strasburg conducts repair work for other railroads and museums, and has an ever expanding client base. In fact, the railroad is planning to extend their workshop facilities in order to accommodate the increased work load. Strasburg’s railroad shops are a trip back in time, as workers clean boilers, grease side rods, and perform overall general maintenance on the historic equipment, just as it was done in the heyday of steam.
