Home for the Holidays

    Take a nostalgic glimpse at 100 years of holiday rail travel.  Meet costumed railroaders and enjoy seasonal music and festive decorations among our world-class collection of trains.

Saturday, December 1 & Saturday, December 8, 2012

Program Details Subject to Change

Program Description

Activities:

• Costumed interpreters representing engineers, conductors, ticket agents and railroad passengers from days gone by.
• A visit with Santa himself and his helper.
• A railroad telegrapher who will send your own personal telegram from Steinman Station to the North Pole.
• Festive holiday decorations and Yuletide music:
  -- Elite Brass. December 1, 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
  -- Brass Ornaments. December 8, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
• The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania's amazing, world-class collection of more than 100 historic locomotives and railroad cars, a number of which are open for you to explore.

• Fun and challenging hands-on activities in Stewart Junction railway education center, for the young and the young at heart.
• Rail Traffic Control gallery exhibit.
• Authentic Norfolk Southern freight engine cab simulator.
• Whistle Stop Shop museum store for wonderful holiday gifts.
• Cookies and hot chocolate, in the Museum lobby while supplies last.
• Ride nearby Strasburg Rail Road trains.
• Visit the National Toy Train Museum.

Various special value coupons may be available in limited quantities for visitors, for use at local merchants.

With its daily hustle and bustle, the arrival and departure of family, friends, fast passenger trains and slow freights, the country depot became the hub of rural life and holiday travel during railroading's golden age.

At the turn of the 20th century, there were more than 500 railroad stations along passenger routes in Pennsylvania. The Railroad Museum's Steinman Station, a permanent exhibit, represents a typical early 20th century passenger station with its waiting room, ticket office and freight room. Amtrak officials estimate that, in today's mobile, global society, more than 1.2 million Americans annually still choose to travel "home for the holidays" by train...and that number is increasing.