Railtrail Annual Brochure 2024

W orldwide T our –

GROUND ONLY

BY AIR

Join us on this truly amazing, new tour to the USA featuring 7 steam lines including marvellous double headed shay locomotives and a phenomenal 2-6-6-2 Mallet in operation. On this action-packed adventure we will also experience two scenic diesel excursions, an Amtrak ride into New York with free time in the infamous “Big Apple”, and two fascinating railroad museums.This is the journey of a lifetime to create lasting memories!

DAY 1 Wednesday 2nd October We depart from London Heathrow on a lunch time flight to Philadelphia , continuing by private coach to Strasburg for our six-night hotel stay in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Keep a look out for the Amish horse-drawn buggies. DAY 2 Thursday 3rd October Today, we have an exciting, guided tour of the Strasburg Railway workshops before taking a steam hauled ride over their line to Paradise! In the afternoon, we will explore the excellent Pennsylvania State Railroad Museum and its large collection of locomotives and rolling stock learning of the role railroads have played, both past and present, in building and shaping our daily lives. (B) DAY 3 Friday 4th October After breakfast this morning, we travel by road Orbisonia for a 5-mile steam hauled ride over the narrow-gauge East Broad Top railroad to Colgate Grove, situated amongst picturesque farm fields and enchanting forests. We will also look around the incredible workshops,“frozen in time” from the 1950’s and, afterwards, we will enjoy a leisurely tram ride on the neighbouring Rockhill Trolley Museum . (B) TOUR HIGHLIGHTS ★ Enjoy a guided tour of the Strasburg Railway ★ Ride the East Broad Top and visit an amazing historic workshop ★ Discover the Wilmington and Western steam ★ Marvel at a huge Mallet locomotive in operation on the Western Maryland ★ Experience double headed Shay locomotives in the mountains of West Virginia ★ Steam on the Greenbrier Express along the banks of the beautiful Greenbrier River ★ Visit the historic B&O Railway Museum ★ Explore the Pennsylvania State Railroad Museum ★ Enjoy an Amtrak ride into New York with free time to discover the “Big Apple” ★ Classic vintage diesel rides over scenic lines Also included in your Tour Fare: ★ 11 nights’ bed & breakfast plus 4 lunches ★ Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

Fares Ex London By Air From £TBC

Fares Ex Philadelphia/ Washington DC Ground Only From £3399

OR

East Broad Top

© Shutterstock © Shutterstock

DAY 4 Saturday 5th October We will travel by road to Wilmington, Delaware for the lunch time steam hauled ride through beautiful woodland scenery on the Wilmington & Western Railroad , one of the first “heritage railroads” in the United States. The journey will take us to Mt. Cuba and return through fascinating railway features such as Wooddale Rock Cut (a tunnel without a roof), where rock walls come within five feet of the train on each side! There will be time to photograph the afternoon train departure before returning to Strasburg. (B) DAY 5 Sunday 6th Octoberr Today we experience a day of history! Firstly, a ride behind a steam replica of a classic, 1860’s era, 4-4-0 locomotive on the Northern Central Railroad atYork taking the same route President Lincoln took for his Gettysburg address through rolling hills and peaceful valleys.This afternoon we visit the famous Gettysburg Battlefield, home to some of the most historic and scenic Civil War sites.Visitors can walk in the footsteps of soldiers who fought at such iconic places as Culp’s Hill,The Peach Orchard, Wheatfield, Devil’s Den, Little Round Top, and Cemetery Ridge. (B)

DAY 6 Monday 7th October Following breakfast this morning, we will experience an Amtrak day trip from Lancaster into New York , a two and-a-half-hour ride, giving us six hours of exploration in the “Big Apple” before returning on Amtrak to Lancaster. Your tour manager will recommend and advise on the best sights to see in the city – Empire State Building, Staten Island Ferry, Times Square or Grand Central Station amongst many others. (B) DAY 7 Tuesday 8th October We are travelling by road today to the B&O Museum in Baltimore which preserves and shares the storied legacy and experiences of American railroading. Housed in the historic Mount Clare Roundhouse , we can step directly into history and discover some of the very earliest locomotives. After our exciting visit, we will continue to Cumberland for our two-night stay at the Ramada Inn with rooms overlooking the CSX main line tracks (plenty of freight action!) . (B)

Amish Horse-Drawn Buggy

High Falls of Cheat

© iStock

Book now – online at www.railtrail.co.uk or telephone: 01538 382323

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