Strasburg Township near Ronks in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Strasburg Rail Road

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, May 19, 2012

1. Strasburg Rail Road Marker

Inscription. Established in 1832 in response to the Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad's bypass of Strasburg, it remains the oldest American railroad operating under its original charter. Local railroad enthusiasts saved it from abandonment in 1958 and developed it as one of the most successful tourist railroads in the United States. The fleet of operable historic steam engines and passenger cars, among the largest in the nation, preserves the state's rail transportation history.

Erected 2011 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1832.

Location. 39° 58.975′ N, 76° 9.649′ W. Marker is near Ronks, Pennsylvania, in Lancaster County. It is in Strasburg Township. It is on Gap Road (Pennsylvania Route 741) 0.4 miles east of Historic Drive ( Route 896), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 Gap Road, Ronks PA 17572, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania, specifically in Pennsylvania Dutch Country,

and in the Susquehanna Valley.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: In Memory of Henry Keiper Long (within shouting distance of this marker); Reading Observation No. 1

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(about 400 feet away); 37 East Main Street (approx. 0.8 miles away); 33 East Main Street (approx. 0.8 miles away); Soudersburg Methodist Church (approx. 2.2 miles away); A Very Old House (approx. 2½ miles away); Leaman Place (approx. 2.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ronks.

Other markers no longer nearby. Pennsylvania Railroad No. 7688 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Pennsylvania Railroad No. 460 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Pennsylvania Railroad No. 3750 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Pennsylvania Railroad No. 6755 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Lehigh Valley No. 40 (was about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing); Pittsburgh and Lake Erie No. 508 (was about 400 feet away but has been confirmed missing); Monongahela Railway No. 67

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, August 13, 2015

2. Westward

(was about 400 feet away but has been confirmed missing); History of Railroad Pump Cars (was about 600 feet away but has been permanently removed); Original Head Race & Water Turbine (was approx. 1.9 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . Strasburg Rail Road. (Submitted on May 20, 2012, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, August 13, 2015

3. Eastward

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, August 13, 2015

4. Southward

The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania is directly across Route 741 from the Strasburg Railroad.

Strasburg Rail Road Steam Engine image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, May 19, 2012

5. Strasburg Rail Road Steam Engine

Awaiting departure from the station.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 20, 2012, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,170 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 20, 2012, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 15, 2015, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. 5. submitted on May 20, 2012, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.