After traveling north on Amtrak’s Auto Train, Christine and I enjoyed
our first visit to the Manassas Battlefield Park where the Battle of
Bull Run was a major event of the Civil War. A quick visit to the
Air and Space Museum Annex in Chantilly, VA provided our first close up
look at Space Shuttle Discovery. And a restful night at a nearby
Hampton Inn prepared us for the next day’s easy drive to Lancaster
County, Pennsylvania.
As expected upon reaching Pennsylvania Dutch country we immediately
encountered a horse and buggy traveling along a rural Lancaster County
road. As we were arriving on a Sunday afternoon, the roads around
Bird-in-Hand, Ronks, and Strasburg were well traveled by these
conveyances as it was a Sunday for visitation amongst the Amish.
During the course of our four days in the area we came to appreciate
the dedication these folks have for their traditional ways, avoiding
ownership of motorized vehicles or use of electricity in their homes
and businesses.
A pair of horse and buggy conveyances ahead of us on the highway
We slow for a horse and open buggy
We drove to Strasburg in early afternoon to watch the passage of Thomas
the Tank Engine over the Strasburg Railroad that weekend. The
fully operational Thomas was built at the Strasburg Railroad shops
using a working 1917 0-6-0T steam engine with a Thomas exterior.
Five non-operational Thomas engines have also been constructed by
Strasburg Railroad for use on assorted tourist railroads around the
country including a narrow gauge version. A recent addition has
been a Percy replica which does not provide motive power and requires a
working engine on the opposite end of the train.
Our vantage point was outside the Red Caboose Lodge located along
Paradise Lane east of the Strasburg Railroad station and we had a great
view of trains climbing uphill from the station. Before the
tracks were clear for the train pulled by Thomas, the regular westbound
Strasburg Railroad train pulled by steam locomotive # 90 passed with
the 2-10-0 Decapod leading the way. Moments after that train
cleared, a train pushed by Thomas delighted onlookers as it headed to a
point a mile or two to the east. A third train trailed Thomas
with a diesel switch engine in front and the Percy replica on the
rear. This train operated a shorter distance than the Thomas
train which, in turn, covered about half the distance of the actual
excursion train.
Strasburg Railroad # 90 pulls an afternoon train past bucolic farms
Wooden coaches comprise most of the Strasburg fleet
The caboose leads the Thomas train as it backs along the rail line
Thomas The Tank Engine shoves a train past our vantage point
Thomas pushes his train past the Red Caboose Lodge
A Strasburg diesel pulls the Percy train on its short run
A non-powered Percy replica brings up the rear
Percy’s eyes have moved since the prior photo
During the course of our stay in the area, we observed the Strasburg
Railroad from numerous vantage points as several back roads and county
highways parallel or cross the right-of-way between Strasburg and
Paradise. We also observed the adjacent former Pennsylvania
Railroad main line from numerous overpasses east of Lancaster. On
our final day in Lancaster County we would ride the Strasburg Railroad
and tour the adjacent Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania as described
later in this story.
The second day in the area proves to be a real highlight as we visit
The Amish Village, an authentic former Amish homestead. A tour
guide provides an interesting tour of the former Amish home and we
receive a great description of the furnishings inside the house and the
clothing and traditions of the Amish. After examining all of the
rooms inside the house including the kitchen, we walk to the barn area
where a variety of live animals represent livestock one would typically
find on an Amish farm. The grounds include a one room
schoolhouse, blacksmith shop, windmill, and various other structures
common to nearby farms.
The Amish Village
The Amish Village features a covered bridge
A one room schoolhouse at The Amish Village
Following our tour of The Amish Village we climb aboard one of the
attraction’s 14 passenger minibuses for a 90 minute tour of area
backroads. The tour turns out to be the perfect introduction to
Pennsylvania Dutch country as it applies what we learned in the village
to real Amish scenes. Our driver knows all of the most scenic
routes through the area and regales us with a lot of interesting
information. We quickly learn how to spot Amish homes by the
absence of power lines leading to the house and the laundry hanging out
to dry in the front or side yard. We also learn how to spot one
room schoolhouses that dot the area. Along the way we see a
number of Amish adults plowing their fields, tending laundry, or riding
in horse drawn buggies as well as youngsters playing or riding foot
propelled scooters along the road. Near the end of our tour we
stop at a working Amish farm for a chance to shop for handmade items
and homemade treats while interacting with the Amish workers.
Visiting The Amish Village and taking its Back Roads Tour is the
perfect introduction to Pennsylvania Dutch country and the Amish
culture. After a visit it is well worth having lunch at Katie’s
Kitchen, a nearby Amish restaurant, where the food is delicious and
prices are reasonable.
A 14 passenger minibus used for The Amish Village Back Roads Tour
One of many Amish farmers seen mowing and conditioning hay.
The Amish can be found patronizing non-Amish businesses
The Amish Village Back Roads Tour took us past many Amish working the fields
Our tour guide showed us many Amish farms
The scenic highlight of our tour was this view of a valley filled with Amish farms and rolling fields
Laundry hung out to dry and the absence of power lines are indicative of Amish home and farms
Another man mowing and conditioning hay.
Our day continues with a visit to Lapp’s Toys and Furniture, an Amish
business where wooden toys and furniture are made by hand. We
purchase a few items for our little grandson and are glad to know they
are high quality, handmade by expert craftsmen. We enjoy browsing
at various shops and enjoy the serenity of the area.
We are delighted by our lodging for our three nights in Lancaster
County as the Amish View Inn exceeds even our lofty expectations.
The front desk staff is warm and accommodating and our room in the
adults only wing is exceptionally spacious. The room contains a
huge wall mounted flat screen television, a sofa, and a recliner
without sacrificing space whatsoever. The view from our windows
is amazing as a cornfield and Amish farm stretch a couple hundred
yards. The view straight down from our window is into the edge of
the cornfield and we enjoy watching the sun set over this beautiful
scene. Our room contains an oversized bathroom with enclosed
water closet, a glass enclosed shower, and a claw footed whirlpool tub
with a flat screen television mounted on the adjacent wall.
Mornings begin with a delicious breakfast featuring Lancaster County
foods prepared fresh and included in the price of the room. The
Amish View Inn is family friendly as its family wing includes an indoor
swimming pool and the same great views as the adult wing.
Throughout our visit we notice several Amish passing on the main road
in their horse and buggy as they travel around the area surrounding the
town of Bird-in-Hand.
The front of Amish View Inn
The breakfast room at the inn overlooks an Amish farm
Our comfortable room at Amish View Inn
Our room featured a claw footed whirlpool tub with wall mounted television
This wonderful view awaited us each morning
Sunset over farmlands behind Amish View Inn
Another Amish View Inn sunset
Chef made waffles are one of the great offerings during breakfast
Local products are used for breakfast at Amish View Inn
Nighttime is peaceful at Amish View Inn
Next to our hotel stands The Amish Experience which contains a theater
that houses the multimedia presentation “Jacob’s Choice” which
dramatizes the choice Amish teens must make concerning whether to stay
in the Amish community or leave for the outside world. This is an
interesting look at a seldom remarked aspect of Amish life and a good
introduction to a replica Amish house and school room depicting daily
life in the Amish world. A knowledgeable tour guide explains
various aspects of the house and school room and patiently answers many
questions. Area tours of the area are also available aboard Amish
Experience minibuses.
The Amish Experience offers a good introduction to the Amish culture
A replica of a one room schoolhouse awaits visitors to The Amish
Experience. Guests also visit a theater presenting the multimedia
show "Jacob's Choice".
A typical Amish kitchen is presented at The Amish Experience
Girls clothing is displayed in one of the bedrooms at The Amish Experience
After a morning visit to The Amish Experience we head east to the town
of Intercourse, PA where we enjoy lunch at a cozy little
restaurant. Later we visit Immergut Hand Rolled Soft Pretzels, an
Amish business where you can watch fresh pretzels made right before
your eyes. The result is mouthwatering and it is hard to resist
making another visit the next day. After that we drive along some
more back roads past Amish farms and drive through several covered
bridges identified on a Lancaster County map we acquired through the
local visitors bureau.
Fresh baked Immergut Hand Rolled Soft Pretzels in Intercourse are a treat
Herr’s Mill Bridge is located along Ronks Road
A covered bridge along Belmont Road
An Amish woman plows a field late in the day near Bird-in-Hand
Our final morning in the area begins with another greatbreakfast at The
Amish View Inn then takes us on the short drive to Strasburg where we
visit the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. This wonderful
facility contains an impressive variety of equipment in its climate
controlled building and outdoor rail yard. Included are numerous
Pennsylvania Railroad steam locomotives with varying wheel
arrangements, a Tuscan red PRR E-7 diesel, a pair of PRR GG1 electric
engines (including # 4800 nicknamed “Old Rivets”), a Pennsy GP-9,
Conrail GP-30, and an assortment of engines from various short line
railroads. A Virginia & Truckee 2-6-0 from out west is
included in the collection as it was built in Pennsylvania by Baldwin
Locomotive Works in 1875. A pair of Amtrak electric engines, E60
# 603 and AEM7 # 915 are displayed outdoors. In all, over 40
locomotives can be found at the museum.
View of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania from Strasburg Railroad
The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania is directly across the street from Strasburg Railroad
One of many steam locomotives housed at the museum
Virginia & Truckee 2-6-0 # 20 was built in Philadelphia by Baldwin Locomotive Works
Pennsylvania Railroad E7 # 5901 displays its Tuscan red paint with gold pinstripes
PRR GG1 # 4935 painted in Brunswick green
Three generations of electric locomotives, GG1, E60, and AEM7 on the grounds of The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
More than 20 passenger cars are located on museum grounds including
Pennsylvania sleeper observation lounge car “Tower View” which brought
up the rear of the famed Broadway Limited. Additionally, PRR
sleeper “Scioto Rapids”, Reading observation car # 1, a Lehigh Valley
rail diesel car, and PRR Metroliner car are on site. A
well-stocked gift shop and numerous other displays are also available
for guests to enjoy.
Reading observation car # 1 used on The Crusader
Lehigh Valley rail diesel car # 40
An original Metroliner coach
Broadway Limited sleeper-observation car “Tower View”
Directly across the street is the Strasburg Railroad, built in 1832 and
billed as America’s oldest short line railroad. We board train #
110, The Susquehanna Limited” which departs at 11:00am.
Immediately we pass through the railroad yard and shop area then march
past the Red Caboose Lodge and other businesses located off Paradise
Road where we watched Thomas The Tank Engine and Percy pass on
Sunday. A few minutes later we pass Groffs Grove where we will
stop on the return trip. There is a passing siding here which is
used when two Strasburg Railroad trains operate at the same time.
By 11:20am we are in the midst of switching at Paradise (also known as
Leaman Place). Here 4-6-0 steam locomotive # 475, the oldest
engine running on the Strasburg Railroad, cuts off and runs around to
the opposite end of the train for the return trip. The engine now
will face forward rather than running backwards as it did on the
outbound trip. This leaves our coach as the rear car which offers
some nice views behind us.
4-8-0 # 475 prepares to pull our train backwards on the run to Paradise
Our coach sits right behind the locomotive on the outbound journey
# 475 uncouples and runs by our train at Paradise right beside Amtrak’s former Pennsylvania Railroad mainline
During the switching we see no rail traffic on the adjacent former
Pennsylvania Railroad mainline. Amtrak’s Pennsylvanian and
several Keystone trains pass this point daily and occasionally are seen
from Strasburg Railroad trains. There is an interchange track
here as well that handles some freight and periodic movements to the
railroad museum.
The return trip begins at 11:25am and soon we spot a few Amish
residents walking down a road as well as others working on their
farms. With approximately 35,000 Amish residents in the region,
it is not difficult to observe this interesting culture. The
train soon stops at Groffs Grove and a large group of youngsters and
accompanying adults detrain. The kids make a beeline for the
picnic tables, swing sets, see-saws, and merry-go-round located beneath
a stand of shady trees. They will board the next train due in
about an hour. Just across Cherry Hill Road from this stop is a
popular corn maze which is open during the fall as part of the Cherry
Crest Adventure Farm which also features an apple blast range and many
other family friendly activities during the summer and autumn.
Our coach's platform offers a nice view as we travel along the scenic route.
Kids head straight for the picnic tables and playground after detraining at Groffs Grove
Amish residents can be seen from the Strasburg Railroad
Our nine-mile round trip comes to a close at 11:47am as we return to
the East Strasburg station where our ride began. We join a 45
minute small group tour of the Strasburg Railroad shops which takes us
behind the scenes in the engine shop and the running repair shop.
Inside those buildings we see a variety of railroad equipment
undergoing repairs and restoration and learn about the purpose and
operation of equipment used to maintain a working steam railroad.
We see a wooden coach that is being rebuilt into a first class car
which will increase capacity in that popular service. The Thomas
engine that pulled a train on Sunday is parked inside the running
repair shop as is the Percy replica seen that day. There are a
few pieces of railroad equipment from other tourist lines undergoing
contracted repair and restoration. This is a leading source of
revenue for the Strasburg Railroad since it has an excellent
shop. With a roster of 18 cars, three regularly operating road
steam locomotives, a steam powered switcher, a diesel, and the steam
powered Thomas engine, the Strasburg Railroad shops are kept busy.
The shop tour offers insight into maintaining a working steam railroad
A former Baltimore & Ohio wooden coach is being rebuilt into a first class car
Percy rests in the shop at Strasburg Railroad after a Thomas The Tank Engine weekend
Another working Strasburg steam engine, # 89, undergoes maintenance in the shop
In addition to the train ride to Paradise and the shop tour, Strasburg
Railroad offers numerous packages (including combination tickets with
area attractions), special events, and various levels of service aboard
the train. Another unique tour allows participants to view the
firing up of the steam locomotives and other preparations at the start
of the day. It is wise to consult the Strasburg Railroad web site
linked below to verify operations as schedules do change seasonally.
A miniature train ride operates on Strasburg Railroad grounds
Wooden cars lay over between runs at Strasburg Railroad
Strasburg Railroad’s first class car
There are many rail options for reaching Lancaster County, PA.
Amtrak directly serves Lancaster with trains from New York,
Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh that connect with other trains from the
north, south, and west. Travelers from Florida can follow the
routing that we took and ride Auto Train from Sanford to Lorton, VA
then make a half day drive to Lancaster County. This is also a
viable option for Amtrak passengers coming from the south into
Washington, DC as rental cars are available at Washington Union Station
for the short drive to Lancaster County. As detailed previously,
there are many things to see and do in Lancaster County, many wonderful
restaurants, good shopping (including a large outlet mall), and a
choice of lodging headlined by the inn where we stayed. It is
worth noting that the city of Lancaster has little Amish presence thus
those wishing to experience that culture should plan to rent a vehicle
and visit communities such as Bird-in-Hand, Strasburg, Intercourse, and
points in between.
