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All Aboard America's Oldest Operating Railroad

Deborah Block

   RONKS, PENNSYLVANIA - Coal-fired steam train number 90 takes off on the
   Strasburg Rail Road, spewing black smoke as its big wheels turn and
   clank on the tracks. The powerful locomotive, built in 1924, pulls old
   fashioned wooden passenger cars, as it takes tourists on a 45 minute
   ride through tranquil farms in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

   "I like the train," said a little boy who was staring at the huge
   locomotive.

   The Strasburg Rail Road keeps the feeling of yesteryear alive.

   "We really desire for people to experience early 20th Century steam
   railroading, like they would have back then," said Station Master,
   Steve Barall.

   Coal-powered trains worked the rails in the United States for 175
   years, starting in the 1830's, and were an integral part of America's
   westward expansion and industrial revolution.

   The Strasburg Rail Road is the oldest operating railroad in the United
   States. Founded in 1832, it is known as a short line and is only seven
   kilometers long. Short lines connected passengers and goods to a main
   line that traveled to bigger cities.

   "Back then this was Strasburg's connection to the outside world,"
   explained Barrall.

   The railroad does not have any of the original trains. It currently
   operates five steam engines and the largest fleet of historic wooden
   passenger coaches.

   Passengers can pay to sit in an open air car with wooden seats, or a
   luxurious first class accommodation with windows, dark green velvet
   chairs and polished wood walls. It reflects the opulence some people
   could afford during the era.

   The locomotive actually travels in reverse for the first part of the
   trip and then is uncoupled at the end of the line. Then it is
   re-coupled at the opposite end of the train for the return trip. The
   trains travel up to 40 kilometers per hour.

   Trains travel through time

   Husband and wife Robert and Carol said the trip reminded them of the
   allure of steam train travel.

   "Trains are such a (part of the) fabric of this country, in fact a lot
   of nations in the world, so it's nice to go back and see how the trains
   operated," Robert said. "It was fun to feel the sway back and forth and
   the slow pace," his wife added.

   "It's fun and I enjoy it because the scenery is so different," remarked
   rider Polly Campbell. "Just takes you way back in time," said Campbell
   who is in her 80's.

   Another gateway to the past is the nearby Railroad Museum of
   Pennsylvania. It is one of the largest U.S. train museums that focus on
   the story of railroading in the northeast with collections from the
   1830's to the present day.

   "We have around 100 pieces of full-size railroad equipment, passenger
   cars, steam locomotives, and freight cars," said Patrick Morrison, the
   director of the museum. "But we also have smaller objects like tools,
   tickets, uniforms that were worn by railroaders, and dining car china
   and silver."

   He said the big steam locomotives captivate people as much today as
   they did in the past when bystanders watched them pull out of the
   station.

   "Just the idea of something that powerful pulling many freight and
   passenger cars, it always fascinated folks."

   So did the caboose at the back of the train which onlookers waved at as
   the train passed by.

   At the Red Caboose Motel, which passengers can view from the steam
   train, guests can stay in 38 cabooses, a baggage car, and a mail car
   from the 20th century that were converted into rooms.

   "It's almost like sleeping in a museum," owner Tyler Prickett said.
   "This is the largest caboose motel, the largest privately owned
   collection of cabooses in the country, according to the Guinness Book
   of World Records."

   Keeping the nostalgia of the old trains alive.

   "Historically, what we want people to take away from their stay is the
   importance of railroads in building America," said Prickett.

   "I think the train is amazing. It's fun watching the scenery go by,"
   said 11-year-old Richard Prindle who was enthralled after his first
   ride on a steam train.