The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania will once again celebrate American history, service, and song during its 25th annual Trains & Troops weekend, set for Saturday, Nov. 1, and Sunday, Nov. 2. The event will take place at the Museum (300 Gap Road, PA Route 741, Strasburg, Lancaster County).

This year’s milestone event honors U.S. military personnel and the vital role railroads have played in supporting the nation’s armed forces — both on the front lines and the home front — through immersive exhibits, reenactments, and a spirited 1940s Swing Dance on Saturday evening.

“Trains & Troops is a tribute to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces, American railroads, and all those who have served, and continue to serve, in defense of our nation,” said Patrick C. Morrison, Museum Director.

A Living Tribute to Military and Railroad Heritage

Throughout the weekend, the Museum will come alive with living history reenactors, military vehicles, uniforms, field gear, maps, and memorabilia representing multiple eras of American service. Visitors can meet members of historical units, including the 82nd Airborne Division, 27th Infantry Division, and 724th Railway Operating Battalion, alongside groups such as Rosie the Riveter interpreters, the Office of Strategic Services, and the U.S. Chaplain Corps.

The Red Rose Veterans Honor Guard will present the colors at 11:00 AM Saturday and 1:00 PM Sunday, while the Lampeter-Strasburg Community Band will perform patriotic selections on Saturday morning. Later that afternoon, the Victory Society will stage a World War II-era fashion show, offering a window into the home-front style and spirit that defined the 1940s.

Inside the Museum, visitors can also explore one of the nation’s premier collections of historic locomotives and railroad cars (nearly 100 in all!) as well as the working restoration shop and immersive exhibits that tell the story of railroading’s past and future.

Swinging Back to the 1940s

Saturday night will shift into full swing with the Moonlighters big band, performing from 7-10:00 PM. Guests are encouraged to don vintage attire and dance the night away among the Museum’s historic railcars. Swing Dance tickets are available through Eventbrite, and a separate admission fee applies.

The Museum is also collecting new, unwrapped toys, books, and games for the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots drive — an annual tradition that adds a spirit of giving to the weekend celebration.

A Glimpse Ahead: The Roundhouse Project

While the Museum honors the past, it’s also building for the future. Construction is underway on a new 16,000-square-foot roundhouse, a long-anticipated exhibit space that will house six historic Pennsylvania Railroad steam locomotives in a climate-controlled environment.

Designed by Erdy McHenry Architecture, the fan-shaped roundhouse will feature ADA-accessible pathways, natural light, and updated infrastructure around the Museum’s 1928 Reading Company turntable.

“The roundhouse is both a preservation and education project — a way to protect these locomotives and share them with visitors for generations to come,” Morrison said.

Celebrating Service, Sound, and Steam

The Trains & Troops weekend isn’t just a history lesson; it’s an immersive celebration of America’s resilience, ingenuity, and community spirit. Between the living history displays, patriotic music, and the Saturday night 1940s Swing Dance, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania transforms into a vibrant tribute to the people and technology that helped shape the nation’s story.

The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, now in its 50th year, is home to one of the nation’s most significant collections of historic locomotives and railcars, and is proudly affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution. Operated by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission with support from the nonprofit Friends of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, the Museum preserves and shares the Commonwealth’s rich railroading legacy year-round.

For tickets, directions, and more information, visit the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania or call (717) 687-8628.

Find more ways to explore and enjoy Lancaster County at Discover Lancaster.