Railroad Tourism Continues to Drive Pennsylvania Economy

The Pennsylvania railroad heritage has helped drive the state's industrial rise and continues to influence travel, commerce, and tourism. The rail network supports a freight movement and a growing tourism economy across the state, linking communities and enriching education through preserved equipment and guided tours.

Tourist railroads offer curated experiences for guests to experience rail travel. They include the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway through Lehigh Gorge State Park near Jim Thorpe, the 11-mile Middletown & Hummelstown line, and the Strasburg Rail Road, which runs through Amish country in Lancaster County. Several tours are also available near Philadelphia, offering scenic excursions on the Colebrookdale Railroad in Boyertown and the New Hope and West Chester railroads. They pair nostalgic rides with dining or special theme experiences.

Iconic engineering landmarks from the era of railroad building endure in the state. They include the Johnstown Inclined Plane and the Starrucca Viaduct and Tunkhannock Viaduct in the northeastern part of Pennsylvania. The Kinzua Bridge State Park skywalk has repurposed a former rail span for visitors to enjoy in recreational pursuits.

Additionally, railroad history museums tell the story of the lives of those who built and benefited from the railroad. Across the state, dozens of railroad interpretive museums include the Railroaders Memorial Museum, the Annville Train Station & Heritage Center, the Derry Station Railroad Heritage Park, and the SEPTA Transit Museum in Philadelphia.

Today, railroads in PA are not relics of the past but an active force shaping the state's economy, identity, and visitor experiences.