Steam hisses, a whistle echoes across rolling farmland, and a string of vintage coaches glides past red barns and quilt-patterned cornfields. That’s the Strasburg Rail Road in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania—America’s oldest continuously operating shortline railroad and one of the country’s most beloved heritage rail experiences. For generations, Strasburg has offered an unhurried, 45-minute journey through Amish country behind immaculately maintained steam locomotives. In recent years, it has also become known for themed excursions that pair history with hospitality, including an especially popular offering: the Murder Mystery Dinner Train. Equal parts whodunit and classic supper club, this experience blends theatrical intrigue with a multi-course meal served aboard a moving 19th-century-style train. Here’s a detailed look at the railroad and what to expect when you book the mystery.
A brief history on steel rails
Chartered in 1832 to connect the town of Strasburg with the Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad at Leaman Place, Strasburg Rail Road began life as a practical freight and passenger link for a farming community. Like many small lines, it weathered boom-and-bust cycles, changing transportation eras, and periods of dormancy. In 1958, a group of local investors rescued the line from abandonment and reimagined it as a living museum that would operate historic equipment in regular service. They succeeded. Today the railroad runs a fleet of vintage coaches and authentic steam locomotives on its roughly 4.5-mile line between East Strasburg and Paradise, Pennsylvania—9 miles round trip, usually completed in about 45 minutes.
Beyond daytime excursions, Strasburg has grown into a full hospitality and events venue: family-friendly seasonal trains, wine-and-cheese rides, shop tours, special photo charters for enthusiasts, and immersive dinners that turn the rails into a stage. The line also maintains a nationally respected steam shop that restores and services historic equipment for railroads across North America, underscoring Strasburg’s role as both entertainer and preservationist…