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All knowing board - Hershey Park and stream train in August advice

SLion

SLion

Well-Known Member
May 29, 2001
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Hi all,

Tryng to iron out plans with family and thinking HP for a trip with 7 and 5 year old. My plan was to go in first week of August (like rest of the world, I guess). We are thinking two days max near Hershey then hit some steam train destinations (7 year old is obsessed wiith steams) in area. It will be tough to get Hershey hotel as getting late to game but should we stay on-site, shuttle or drive in with the kids? I tried Hershey Camping resorts but booked solid for cabins. Would like to show him Horseshoe Curve then first visit to PSU. Looking for some nice serentity on this trip, maybe lake cabin with some store conveniences. Raystown looks popular but never been. We are coming from CT so any help would be appreciated?
 
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You can ride the Strasburg Railroad. It’s a nice ride. Hersheypark’s railroad has real steam engines. Smaller gauge of course. Williams Grove historical steam engine association also has a steam train, though I don’t know the schedule.
 
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Raffycorn said:
The state railroad museum is in Strasburg, maybe an hour from Hershey, and it’s very nice. There’s a little motel next to the museum where you can actually stay in a bunch of refurbished cabooses. Might be worth checking out for a night.
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100%. The railroad museum is excellent and worth a day. As for HP, I would try to stay onsite. Also, you might want to check out http://www.steamoramapa.com/ There is also the Rough and Tumbler association that is not too far from Strasburg. https://roughandtumble.org/
 
I used to stay at the Hershey Lodge with the kids which was great. They have shuttles back and forth, decent dining options on site and nice pools. They have also added a mini water park since I last stayed there.
 
RLCookie said:
You may also want to check out Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster. It is owned by Hershey. I believe the rides at Dutch Wonderland are more suited for the ages of your kids. Just a suggestion.
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That hasn't been owned by HERCO for about ten years. Palace Entertainment bought it.

But it's also closer to Strasburg, so might be a better idea.
 
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SLion said:
Hi all,

Tryng to iron out plans with family and thinking HP for a trip with 7 and 5 year old. My plan was to go in first week of August (like rest of the world, I guess). We are thinking two days max near Hershey then hit some steam train destinations (7 year old is obsessed wiith steams) in area. It will be tough to get Hershey hotel as getting late to game but should we stay on-site, shuttle or drive in with the kids? I tried Hershey Camping resorts but booked solid for cabins. Would like to show him Horseshoe Curve then first visit to PSU. Looking for some nice serentity on this trip, maybe lake cabin with some store conveniences. Raystown looks popular but never been. We are coming from CT so any help would be appreciated?
Click to expand...
INSTEAD OF HERSHEY,CHECK OUT KNOEBELS-PLUS THEY HAVE A CAMPGROUND-AND ONLY 40 MINUTES TO HERSHEYWHICH IS 40 MINUTES TO THE STRASBURG RAILROAD COMPLEX,
 
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SLion said:
Hi all,

Tryng to iron out plans with family and thinking HP for a trip with 7 and 5 year old. My plan was to go in first week of August (like rest of the world, I guess). We are thinking two days max near Hershey then hit some steam train destinations (7 year old is obsessed wiith steams) in area. It will be tough to get Hershey hotel as getting late to game but should we stay on-site, shuttle or drive in with the kids? I tried Hershey Camping resorts but booked solid for cabins. Would like to show him Horseshoe Curve then first visit to PSU. Looking for some nice serentity on this trip, maybe lake cabin with some store conveniences. Raystown looks popular but never been. We are coming from CT so any help would be appreciated?
Click to expand...
At the Curve you can get a combined ticket to the railroad museum in Altoona for a reduced price.
 
MacNit07 said:
Agree...lines at Hershey are insane..
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Evenattheturn said:
INSTEAD OF HERSHEY,CHECK OUT KNOEBELS-PLUS THEY HAVE A CAMPGROUND-AND ONLY 40 MINUTES TO HERSHEYWHICH IS 40 MINUTES TO THE STRASBURG RAILROAD COMPLEX,
Click to expand...

ok so here’s the deal with Knoebels

first off the lines at knoebels can get insane too

Both my daughter and son working there - they cannot open all the rides this year because they don’t have enough workers

I’ve been told that the Skloosh will not be opening this year at all and I’m not sure which other rides

it is free parking and admission but whether you get tickets or a hand stamp and buy food it still will cost you a good penny till you’re done for the day

it is a great park overall but if enough rides aren’t open it may not be a great bet this year ?
 
Unfortunately, the East Broad Top isn't running steam right now, though they will be running diesel this summer. It's a great place for steam. Good to see that they are back in business.
 
Evenattheturn said:
INSTEAD OF HERSHEY,CHECK OUT KNOEBELS-PLUS THEY HAVE A CAMPGROUND-AND ONLY 40 MINUTES TO HERSHEYWHICH IS 40 MINUTES TO THE STRASBURG RAILROAD COMPLEX,
Click to expand...
Knoebels is 65 miles from Hershey Park. Google says 70 minutes; more like hour an half. Hershey to Strasburg is 45 miles. Google states about 70 minutes; allow about twice that because of traffic on US30 around Landcaster.
 
Jim Thorpe Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway

www.lgsry.com

Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway | Train Rides in Jim Thorpe, PA

Welcome to the Lehigh Gorge and Scenic Railway! Our railway provides round-trip train rides for passengers of all ages to enjoy the stunning scenery of the Lehigh Gorge State Park. Every season offers unique and memorable riding opportunities. In addition to our rail services, the town of Jim Tho
www.lgsry.com www.lgsry.com
 
Strasburgh RailRoad is outstanding! If not that time, visit during one of the Thomas the Train Engine events!
 
Go to Hersheypark on Sunday night. Believe they will let you in at 7pm until close and then you can go back on Monday on the same ticket. Sunday night always has the least amount of people.
 
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Raffycorn said:
The state railroad museum is in Strasburg, maybe an hour from Hershey, and it’s very nice. There’s a little motel next to the museum where you can actually stay in a bunch of refurbished cabooses. Might be worth checking out for a night.
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Strasburg is very nice, Was a bandit on the Dry Gulch Railroad in Hershey Park. We used to give a kid a Star Badge and ask if the would be our deputy and a bag of rocks with GOLD written on it. Then a bandit would hold up the train for the gold and the sheriff would shoot us. The kids loved it. They probable do not use the guns anymore. That was in 1985
 
PSUeng said:
Strasburg is very nice, Was a bandit on the Dry Gulch Railroad in Hershey Park. We used to give a kid a Star Badge and ask if the would be our deputy and a bag of rocks with GOLD written on it. Then a bandit would hold up the train for the gold and the sheriff would shoot us. The kids loved it. They probable do not use the guns anymore. That was in 1985
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Who are you? I worked at that ride in 1985 as an attendant. Then a few years later as an engineer.
 
PSUeng said:
Doug. and you
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I'm Mike. I worked on the shift with Paula Klimovsky. You'd remember her (unless you bat from the other side). I don't remember all of the engineers names from that year. I remember Randy (Fuzzy), Kurt (tootie fruity little rudy), Dave Kohr and Andy Greider. I can't remember the other two though.

EDIT: It seems to me one of the other two was Jay (don't recall a last name). Are you the sixth guy who for some reason I don't remember? Or did you give me a fake name? I'm pretty sure Randy went to Penn State for engineering. If by chance you are really Randy, tell your little brother all his old friends have been trying to track him down.
 
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SLion said:
Hi all,

Tryng to iron out plans with family and thinking HP for a trip with 7 and 5 year old. My plan was to go in first week of August (like rest of the world, I guess). We are thinking two days max near Hershey then hit some steam train destinations (7 year old is obsessed wiith steams) in area. It will be tough to get Hershey hotel as getting late to game but should we stay on-site, shuttle or drive in with the kids? I tried Hershey Camping resorts but booked solid for cabins. Would like to show him Horseshoe Curve then first visit to PSU. Looking for some nice serentity on this trip, maybe lake cabin with some store conveniences. Raystown looks popular but never been. We are coming from CT so any help would be appreciated?
Click to expand...
Lake Raystown Resort has a number of different rental options including yurts, park model campers, rustic cabins, condo style buildings and hotel style accomodations. There is a restaurant on site near the marina. You'll need to check what is available as it has been pretty popular the past year. From there Altoona for the Railroaders museum and Horseshoe Curve is about 45 min. In Duncansvile, just outside of Altoona, check to see if the Everett Railroad is having any excursions. They run both steam and diesel but it's not a regular schedule. 30 minutes the other direction is Orbisonia/Rock Hill for the East Broad Top & Rock Hill Trolley museum. As mentioned, East Broad Top is not currently running steam, but they are hopeful to be doing so later this year.

Lake Raystown Resort

Everett Railroad

East Broad Top Railroad

Railroaders Memorial Museum
 
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mjrino said:
Go to Hersheypark on Sunday night. Believe they will let you in at 7pm until close and then you can go back on Monday on the same ticket. Sunday night always has the least amount of people.
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This is good advice. This is called "preview" meaning you get a preview of the park. They stamp your ticket "preview" and hand it back to you but you'll have to ask first. Time may vary a bit from 7:00 so ask at the gate before handing over the ticket.

The local Giant Food Store sells discounted tickets at their customer service counter. Worth a stop. I however purchase my tickets from Craigslist. Park employees get two tickets with every paycheck and they sell them for $25 -$30 each.

If still looking for ideas I'd recommend the Ashland Mine Tour and Steam Train Ride. It's just off i-81 and if you've never been in a coal mine it's worth the stop. Bring jackets as it will be cold.
www.pioneertunnel.com

HOME | Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine & Steam Train 19th and Oak Street, Ashland, PA. 17921, Non-Profit, Anthracite Educational Coal Mine Tours

Educational Anthracite Coal Region Coal Mine & Steam Train Tours. Pioneer Tunnel
www.pioneertunnel.com www.pioneertunnel.com
 
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MJG-90 said:
I'm Mike. I worked on the shift with Paula Klimovsky. You'd remember her (unless you bat from the other side). I don't remember all of the engineers names from that year. I remember Randy (Fuzzy), Kurt (tootie fruity little rudy), Dave Kohr and Andy Greider. I can't remember the other two though.

EDIT: It seems to me one of the other two was Jay (don't recall a last name). Are you the sixth guy who for some reason I don't remember? Or did you give me a fake name? I'm pretty sure Randy went to Penn State for engineering. If by chance you are really Randy, tell your little brother all his old friends have been trying to track him down.
Click to expand...
ok, maybe it was 1983/84, I graduated PSU in 85. Jim McClain, and a real big dude were the bandits I worked with. 6'3" 240 cannot remember his name. we had no girls' on our crew. ?? Wiess and Randy I think were engineers. It was a fun time we played a lot of pranks on each other. One time during a storm/shut down, I jumped the fence and went to The Dark Side (Park Side) Bar and got us a 6 pack. good times
 
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Agoodnap said:
This is good advice. This is called "preview" meaning you get a preview of the park. They stamp your ticket "preview" and hand it back to you but you'll have to ask first. Time may vary a bit from 7:00 so ask at the gate before handing over the ticket.

The local Giant Food Store sells discounted tickets at their customer service counter. Worth a stop. I however purchase my tickets from Craigslist. Park employees get two tickets with every paycheck and they sell them for $25 -$30 each.

If still looking for ideas I'd recommend the Ashland Mine Tour and Steam Train Ride. It's just off i-81 and if you've never been in a coal mine it's worth the stop. Bring jackets as it will be cold.
www.pioneertunnel.com

HOME | Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine & Steam Train 19th and Oak Street, Ashland, PA. 17921, Non-Profit, Anthracite Educational Coal Mine Tours

Educational Anthracite Coal Region Coal Mine & Steam Train Tours. Pioneer Tunnel
www.pioneertunnel.com www.pioneertunnel.com
Click to expand...
I think Hersheypark is only open 11-7pm now (unless it changed very recently- staffing issues). The preview is after 5pm IIRC.
 
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