Strasburg Railroad by CivilWarTrails

Strasburg Railroad was founded in 1832. Precisely when the railroad first turned a wheel is still a matter of patient research, but the earliest timetable found to date indicates Strasburg trains were scheduled as of December 1851.

On February 22, 1861, President Abraham Lincoln made a stop at Leaman Place on his inaugural train ride, en route to Lancaster. His four-minute visit brought nearly 5,000 people out to cheer for the President and Mrs. Lincoln.

To prepare for the President’s visit, Strasburg Rail Road had purchased their first passenger car, which ran on a special train to transport people to and from Leaman Place.

First used for passenger and freight transportation, the railroad’s main purpose became a freight interchange with the Pennsylvania Railroad. The Strasburg Rail Road celebrated the 175th Anniversary of its railroad charter in 2007.

Panorama by Alan Chaffee Photography