Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania — Attraction in Lower Frankford Township

We visited RMOP on a Smithsonian Magazine's Museum Day. We didn't have too high an expectation partly due to the pricing of admission, which is only $10 for a regular adult ticket. But we ended up having a great time. After spending the morning on a hot day across the street at Day Out with Thomas event, it felt so nice to be indoors where it's air conditioned!!

The entrance is on the main road, and it's a long walk from the parking lot. Just follow the arrows and signs. I loved the atrium just inside the entrance, as well as the facade outside. Their modern designs were stark contrast to the historic theme and exhibits.

The main hall houses numerous locomotives from different eras and technologies - stream, electric, and diesel. You can get onto a few of them. Just keep an eye out on signs at each train. It's a great place to go back in time and admire the grandeur of these monstrous steel decapods. My favorites are No. 1223, John Bull, and the 20 Tahoe.

Then there's the interactive section which is on the first isle street set immediately to the right as you enter the main hall. There you can find the Western Union telegraph demonstration, a short video presentation, a long stretch of model trains and rails which you can have hands-on control and switching, and finally a meticulously built miniature model village and railroad layout with trains moving through them.

Don't forget the train yard outside to the right of the main hall, the cat walk/observation bridge at the center divide for a good overlook, and the second floor gallery where you can find another miniature village, paintings, and numerous placards...

This museum is phenomenal! If you’re a train enthusiast plan to spend several hours to see the whole thing . It’s open from 10am- 4pm, and if you’re someone who likes to read the posted information cards at the displays there’s a lot to see!

There’s a “Main St.” walk next to some of the more turn of the century, early 1900’s trains. That area of the museum really transports you back in time. It has examples of shops, a ticket booth for train fare, and a period example of a sitting room.

There are some trains within the museum that you’re able to go into, although most of them are posted as do not enter. We were lucky and a staff member was giving information to a small group and let us go into a train car that was posted as closed for a private look around.

This is a great place to bring your family and anyone of any age would completely enjoy this museum.

We highly recommend also saving a bit of time to walk outside and see the train yard. This has exhibits that aren’t completely restored yet, or seem too large to house in a building. There are all states of restoration shown here in the yard and there was also a train that had scaffolding which was being rebuilt.

The trains inside the museum appear as 100 % restored and are in pristine condition. Really loved all the information included about each train. We spent 3 hours here and I was able to see everything I wanted and take my time on the exhibits.

If you’re in this area definitely stop here! It’s worth the $10...

I have been here many many times. My grandson, Eli, started going when he was two and now he is four. It’s $10 per adult and for 3-12 it’s $8. Under 3 is free. I got him into the railroad and trains through my working in the railroad industry for a legal firm and then working at SEPTA for a few years contract. I enjoy train tracking with him and it’s grown from regional rail, the blue line and trolleys to freights and how to locate them. Eli and I are big fans of the Big Boy from UP. We both educated ourselves on every kind of cargo cars and what they are called. We also include Amtrak because it’s part of the Northeast Corridor and goes by right where I once lived. We will be going again to Strasburg for the annual “A Day Out With Thomas” scheduled for next month. Strasburg RR Museum is a wonderful place to visit and spend time in and outside. Eli’s first visit to now, he’s educated himself so much on what the trains do and the safety people need to take. You definitely need a few hours to really enjoy it. If you’re going to walk the outside as well, the last time you can go outside for the day I believe is 45 minutes before closing at 4. You need at least that much time outside too. If you have time, go over to the railroad station and take a ride on the steam train. The caboose is...