Attention train fans: Railroad Museum of Pa. announces 2012 events

From Montgomery Media: Attention train fans: Railroad Museum of Pa. announces 2012 events
xperience the awe-inspiring power of trains and the fascinating heritage of our nation's railroading on display during 2012 at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. There is something for everyone to enjoy in the Museum's family-friendly and innovative education and preservation programs. The world-class collection of more than 100 historic locomotives and vintage railroad cars includes everything from classic woodburners and mammoth steam locomotives to sleek, electric-powered and diesel engines. A number of authentic locomotives and railroad cars are open regularly for visitors to explore.

Take the throttle on a simulated run in a real Norfolk Southern freight locomotive cab, sit in an engineer's seat, climb aboard a caboose, explore Steinman Station early 20th century replica passenger depot, inspect a 62-ton locomotive from underneath, view restoration activities in real time via closed circuit TV, enjoy hands-on activities in Stewart Junction railway education center, view exhibits of art and artifacts in the second floor gallery and browse the Whistle Stop Shop museum store.

The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania's main Rolling Stock Hall now features climate control year-round, for the comfort of visitors and the preservation of the major artifacts. Please call ahead, visit the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania's web site and Facebook page or join the email list for more information and programming updates.

Events and other activities currently slated for the Museum in 2012 are:

* CHARTER DAY: Sunday, March 11. Observe the 331st birthday of the Commonwealth, amid Pennsylvania made and operated historic rolling stock, here at the Keystone State's official railroad museum. Regular Museum hours. Open to the public free of charge.

* ROLE OF RAILROADS IN PENNSYLVANIA DURING THE CIVIL WAR: Saturday, April 21 through Sunday, December 30. Railroads were a key to the successes of both the Union and Confederacy during the Civil War, and the contributions of Pennsylvania's railroads were an integral part of the Union's eventual victory. From supplying the Armies with munitions and food, to transporting troops, prisoners and communications, the Civil War was the first war in which railroads were a major factor.The fascinating photographs, documents and artifacts in this exhibit tell the story of Pennsylvania's railroads during the War Between the States. Regular Museum hours. Included in the regular Museum admission.

* CONRAIL DAYS: Friday, May 11 through Sunday, May 13. Conrail arose from the wreckage of six failed railroads in the 1970s to become a profitable and successful private enterprise. This program highlights the equipment, history and people of Conrail, and is presented in partnership with the Conrail Historical Society. Regular Museum hours. Included in the regular Museum admission.

* NORFOLK SOUTHERN DAYS: Saturday, June 2 and Sunday, June 3. Celebrate the 30th anniversary of Norfolk Southern! Meet today's railroaders and view exciting contemporary and historic railroad equipment on site from the "Thoroughbred of Transportation." Operation Lifesaver, music by the Norfolk Southern Lawmen and special presentations will also be featured. This program is presented in partnership with the Norfolk Southern Corporation. Regular Museum hours. Included in the regular Museum admission.

* READING RAILROAD DAYS: Tuesday, July 3 through Sunday, July 8. Enjoy the remarkable Reading Railroad trains of eastern Pennsylvania history through tours of Reading Company equipment and a huge, operating model railroad from the Reading Company Technical & Historical Society. Regular Museum hours. Included in the regular Museum admission.

* BARONS & BUILDERS DAY CAMP: Monday, July 9 through Friday, July 13, for ages 9 & 10 and Monday, July 23 through Friday, July 27, for ages 11 & 12. Kids build, create, learn and play as they explore railroads and railroad history through a program of unique tours, innovative hands-on projects, field trips by train and special demonstrations. Each camp has a limited number of openings on a first come basis. The cost is $175 per camper ($125 per camper for Museum members). Registration begins February 1, 2012. Please call after the June 4, 2012 deadline to determine if spaces are still available.

* HOGWARTS EXPRESS PARTIES: Friday, August 10 and Saturday, August 11. This is where the magic happens! Kids are encouraged to dress like their favorite Harry Potter character for a reading in one of the Museum's historic coaches. They will also create potions and a Hogwarts-inspired take-home craft. Advance registration, with a $10 per child fee ($5 per child for Museum members), is required. Hogwarts Express Parties are offered on a first come basis. Recommended for children ages 8 to 13. Registration begins July 2, 2012. Regular Museum admission rates also apply.

* MEMBERS DAY: Saturday, September 22. Museum members enjoy special members-only presentations and other great railroad and Museum-related activities. Also held during the day is the annual business meeting of the membership. A not-to-be-missed evening banquet-honoring volunteers, members and other special friends-caps off a full day. Advance registration is required.

* GARDEN RAILWAYS TOUR: Sunday, October 7, from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Enjoy a self-guided tour of various private homes, featuring unique garden railways with operating model train layouts. Garden Railways Tour tickets are $10 per person for ages 6 and over, and go on sale at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania beginning July 23, 2012, and at all Stauffers of Kissel Hill locations in central Pennsylvania on September 1, 2012.

* TRAINS & TROOPS: Saturday, November 3 and Sunday, November 4. Honor our veterans, and the men and women currently in uniform, while you experience many splendid railroad and military archival displays, enjoy patriotic music and learn the significant role railroads played time and again in the defense of our nation. Regular Museum hours. Included in the regular Museum admission.

* 1940s SWING DANCE: Saturday, November 3, from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Jump, jive and swing to the popular Sound of Roses live band among the trains in the Railroad Museum's huge Rolling Stock Hall. Come dressed in military uniform or 1940s clothing, if you like, to revive the past! A special savings combination ticket, per person, for the dance and both days of Trains & Troops is $35. The dance ticket only, cost per person, is $25. Veterans, active duty service personnel and Museum members are admitted for $20 per person.Advance tickets are highly recommended. Call, stop by the Museum store or visit the Museum's web site. Dance tickets go on sale beginning February 14, 2012.

* HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS: Saturday, December 1 and Saturday, December 8. Take a nostalgic glimpse at holiday rail travel and meet costumed engineers, conductors, ticket agents and passengers representing the past century. Enjoy seasonal music and festive decorations among our world-class collection of trains. Visit Santa and send your personal telegram to the North Pole. Regular Museum hours. Included in the regular Museum admission.

* POLAR EXPRESS PARTIES: Saturday, December 1 and Saturday, December 8. The conductor calls all aboard for a reading of the new classic holiday story in one of the Museum's historic passenger coach. Kids who believe are welcome to dress in their pajamas, and will delight creating their own seasonal take-home craft and receiving a small bag of goodies. Advance registration, with a $10 per child fee ($5 per child for Museum members), is required and is offered on a first come basis. Recommended for children ages 3 and over. Registration begins October 22, 2012. Regular Museum admission rates also apply.

RAILROAD MUSEUM RAMBLES: The Friends of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania annually sponsors trips to great destinations of railroading, historical, scenic and general travel interest. Join us for one or more of these memorable excursions to take in the sights and sounds of railroading. Registrations are currently being accepted for "Riding The Rails of America's Great Southwest," June 16 through 23, 2012. Additional 2012 Rambles will be announced.

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania scheduled hours of operation for the year 2012 are:

• January through March, November and December: Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Sunday, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• April through October: Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Sunday, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania will be open to visitors on Martin Luther King Jr Day, Presidents' Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Memorial Day, Father's Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans' Day and Black Friday in 2012.

The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania will be closed on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day in 2012. The Museum also will be closed Mondays from January through March and Mondays in November and December.

Regular admission prices for the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania are: Adults 12 to 64, $10.00; seniors 65 and over, $9.00; youth 3 to 11, $8.00; and children 2 and under, free of charge. Most special events and exhibits are free of charge to members of the Friends of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. Proceeds from events benefit the Friends of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania's important education and preservation programs. Hours, admissions, events and other activities may be subject to change without notice.

Information on Museum reserved group tours-including the Restoration Shop Tour, Children's Tour, White Glove Tour and Curator's Tour-facility rentals, education programs, school groups, merit badge programs, outreach programs, membership, volunteering, business partnerships and charitable giving is available on the web site or by calling the Museum.

The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania is located on PA Route 741, Strasburg, ten miles east of historic downtown Lancaster in the heart of the beautiful, Pennsylvania Dutch Country of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. For information on area lodging, dining, shopping, entertainment, historic sites and other attractions, go online at www.strasburgpa.com,

www.padutchcountry.com or www.visitpa.com or call (800)PADUTCH or (800)VISITPA.

Additional train-related attractions, all within a mile of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, include the legendary Strasburg Rail Road-just across the road from the Museum-the captivating National Toy Train Museum and the engaging Choo Choo Barn. The official railroad museum of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania is administered by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, with the active support of the non-profit Friends of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania.

For more information on Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania programs, collections and operations, call (717)687-8628, log onto www.rrmuseumpa.org or visit the Museum's Facebook page. Smartphone users may visit m.rrmuseumpa.org.