Railroading in Pennsylvania
Railroading and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are synonymous. The Pennsylvania Railroad launched in 1846 and by 1882, was the world’s largest railroad enterprise as measured by traffic and volume. At the time, it was also the world’s largest corporation.
Railroad Museums and Railroad Excursion Trains Near Annville Inn
Strasburg Railroad (Strasburg)
Oldest continuously operated railroad in North America, established in 1832 and still carrying freight as well as an excursion passenger train and other railroad attractions.
Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad (Hershey/Hummelstown)
Middletown & Hummelstown RR, just outside Hershey. Hauls both passengers for excursions as well as freight. Fall foliage trains, murder mysteries, Santa trains, and much more.
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania (Lancaster)
Covering more than 18 acres, the collection has more than 100 historic locomotives and railroad cars that chronicle American railroad history. Visitors can board a variety of locomotives and carriages, view a 62-ton locomotive from beneath, and much more, including interactive programs and displays on the second-floor gallery.
WK&S Railroad (Kempton)
The Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern, Inc. is a privately owned heritage railroad; it operates over an isolated remnant of a former Reading RR line. It is known as the “Hawk Mountain Line” due to its close proximity to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary.
Rockville Railroad Bridge
Completed in 1902, the bridge remains the longest stone masonry arch railroad viaduct in the world. Most recently, in July of 2026, the world’s largest and heaviest steam engine rolled across this historic bridge. (See next article, below).
The bridge has been in continuous use since it opened at the turn of the century and is still a heavily used railroad bridge today. The bridge deck contains several rail lines; it is not unusual to see more than one freight or Amtrak train on the bridge at the same time.
Big Railroading Event In Lebanon and Annville Summer of 2026!
Because we are working on our own Garden Railroad, complete with over 320 feet of track, we are showcasing an event that pulled in railroading enthusiasts from throughout the country.
In July 2026, we were blessed to be on the “main line route” of the world’s largest steam engine, Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014. 2.5 million pounds, capable of speeds of 80 mph, built in the 1940s and fully restored. Water tender carriage holds over 25,000 gallons of water– like a swimming pool! Crowds felt its whistle reverberate in their chests, felt the ground shake when it pulled into the station. The Big Boy stopped in Lebanon and passed through Annville, one mile from Annville Inn.
Over 5 million people saw Big Boy No. 4014 in various towns as it went from California to Philadelphia, Pa., and likely as many saw it on its return trip. This was its first trip east of the Mississippi to celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday.
