Conrail Days at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania

The Consolidated Rail Corporation arose from a federal bail out of the railroad industry in the 1970's to become a profitable and successful private enterprise till its spit up in 1999 between Norfolk Southern and CSX. The equipment, history and spirit of Conrail will be highlighted, in partnership with the Conrail Historical Society.

Join the Conrail Historical Society at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania on May 13th thru 15th for Conrail Days. Hours are 9AM to 5PM on Saturday, Noon to 5PM on Sunday.

Special exhibits will be on display inside the museum to help tell the Conrail story during its’ 23 year history with static pieces, literature and videos playing, some of which to include;

• “Rail Traffic Control: Managing The Crossroads Of Commerce”  This exhibit, curated by Museum visitor services manager Ryan C. Kunkle, illustrates the history of railroad technical operations through fascinating photographs, artifacts and video from... the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania’s rich collections. A simulated rail traffic operation, where Museum visitors will have their own chance to try and run a railroad, rounds out the experience. See how train orders were passed to transportation crews the old fashioned way even through to the end of Conrail. Imagine a train at speed just 3 feet away as you try and hoop up an order to the operating crew!

• “Office Car Special” educates on the unique way Conrail used their business train: Marketing, Sales, Inspection, Appreciation. See actual artifacts from the uniquely painted Conrail trainset. New items from previous year's on display.

• "The Walls of Corporate" displays many of the items that were found on the walls inside the corporate headquarters. Including advertising plaques, framed pictures, and the CONRAIL wording. Some large banners will also be hung from Management meetings over the years.

• “Conrail Logo Timeline” will display the many logos developed and used by Conrail throughout the years for use in joint or solo projects. This is a piece not to be missed. It's debut display in the fall of 2010 was to rave reviews. 

 • “SD80MAC” will tell the story of the largest and most technologically advanced locomotive of its’ time. See advanced sales brochures and the original locomotive's chair out of CR 4100, the first SD80MAC.

• “Conrail Freight Cars” will give an example of common freight cars on the Conrail system at a time. HO models will represent the car with a small write up accompanying the model.

Due to the construction on-going at the museum, the night photo session will not happen this year. We plan to return the night photo session in 2012. Construction has also caused the museum parking lot to be closed. You will have to park at the Strasburg Railroad. Some handicapped parking is available in the turnaround west of the museum. 

Saturday May 14, 2011 Presentations

• 10:00am - Bill Kalkman will present a slide show on Conrail from Beginning to End.

• 12:00pm - Jim Kleeman will present a slide show on Conrail over the years.

• 2:00pm - Jeremy Plant will present a slide show and a book signing on his recently released book, "Conrail In Color, Vol. 1: 1976-1979."

 We hope you are available to join us this weekend to help celebrate Conrail.