Guide to Pennsylvania's Tourist Railroads [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Bill Simpson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1998

Pennsylvania's numerous railroad lines largely contributed to the growth of the industry throughout the nation. Today tourist railroad lines have become increasingly popular due to their romantic and even nostalgic ambiance. These lines, possible because of abandoned commercial lines, offer countless opportunities to visit the historic sites of Pennsylvania, including the Gettysburg battlefield and the Allegheny National Forest.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

In the first half of the twentieth century, the Pennsylvania Railroad became one of the largest and most powerful rail lines in the world. The breakup of this railway led to the birth of the extensive variety of tourist railroads that exists today. This updated guide takes an in-depth look at the Keystone State's railroads and includes operation schedules and fares. Train and travel enthusiasts will find themselves deep in the heart of Pennsylvania's flourishing railroad lines in this second edition, which also describes recreational activities and historical sites in each of the state's geographical regions. The Gettysburg battlefield, America's first Amish settlement, and the world's first oil well are just some of the highlights that may be seen from an open-air car, providing memorable rides for tourists of all ages. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

An avid traveler, accomplished writer, and lifelong resident of Pennsylvania, Bill Simpson also is the author of Guide to Pennsylvania's Tourist Railroads (pb) and Guide to the Amish Country (pb), both published by Pelican. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: Pelican Pub Co Inc; illustrated edition edition (March 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565542673
• ISBN-13: 978-1565542679
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,912,578 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From a forest train ride to rails through Amish country, February 8, 2004

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Guide to Pennsylvania's Tourist Railroads (Paperback)

This updated second edition of Bill Simpson's Guide To Pennsylvania's Tourist Railroads examines flourishing rail lines in Pennsylvania, including the latest operation schedules and fares and providing accompanying listings of travel options and excursions to nearby destinations. From a forest train ride to rails through Amish country, this divided Pennsylvania into four geographical regions for maximum effect, and includes suggestions for stopoffs and tourist visits to local rail museums. Rail buffs planning a trip to the state won't want to miss this.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating reading, January 28, 2000

By 

SUSAN (Pa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Guide to Pennsylvania's Tourist Railroads (Paperback)

As a little girl I rode the Strasburg railroad in Pennsylvania. When I saw this book at the store, it brought back happy memories, so I decided to buy the book. I found the information to be very interesting. I was amazed that there were so many other railroads in my state. The information was very well written. This book offers a great insight into a fascinating subject.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A useful, compact volume on a railroad-rich state, March 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Guide to Pennsylvania's Tourist Railroads (Paperback)

Knowing that Pennsylvania is rich in railroad heritage, I snapped up this volume as soon as I saw it. At the time of purchase, I was glad to see that it was current, with the reasonable idea that it would be up-to-date. The one disappointing thing with this book has been the inaccuracy of the Internet Worldwide Web home page addresses given for many of the railroads documented, if a given railroad happened to have a home page. Today's connected world depends tremendously on accurate, up-to-date information in specialized interest areas, and as far as I am concerned, there is nothing more frustrating than to find a given home page address not available or outdated. If this book receives a revision, I would strongly advise the author to remove all of the web page addresses, state whether or not at time of writing there was a home page available, and admonish the reader to use his favorite Worldwide Web search engine to locate the home page of the desired railroad. Also, it would be good if he were to state whether or not there are "unofficial" web pages in addition to the "official," because these "unofficial" pages are usually photo collections to document one railfan's photojournalistic attempts on this "favorite railroad" of his.

Otherwise, this volume is well laid out, first providing an introduction to railroads in Pennsylvania in general, railroad terminology, and a brief history of the railroad in America. The book, as well as the state is divided into four geographic regions with the railroads in the appropriate region documented within that section. I found this type of layout useful for spare-time side trip planning if I was going to be in Pennsylvania for reasons other than railfanning.