In this series Steam heritage railway lines were visited in the Eastern part of the United States. Seven of these heritage railroads in the states of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Maryland were filmed exclusively for 24Trains.tv. Steam is still used regularly and in 9 videos, recorded in October 2023, you can see the beautiful museum trains in action. A variety of standard and narrow gauge locomotives were filmed: from small tank locomotives, geared timber locomotives to large tank locomotives and a large Mallet in an early autumn landscape. Enjoy authentic American steam in this beautiful series! Credits: John Raby

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Eastern US Steam Heritage Lines

Part 1: Reading, Blue Mountain and Northern & Strasburg

The long route from Reading Outer Station via Port Clinton to Jim Thorpe is used for steam passenger excursions. Jim Thorpe in Pennsylvania is a historic town which is now a major tourist attraction. The railroad is primarily a freight railroad but steam and diesel passenger trains are a major sideline. Modern steam loco 2102 (rebuild in the late 1940s) hauls long passenger trains of 17 coaches and is the most impressive loco we saw in action during our trip. It hauls full-day excursions over a route of 60 miles in both directions. Enjoy this beautiful US steam train! Credits: John Raby

Episode 1: Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern

This long-established heritage operation regularly offers steam-hauled trains from Strasburg in Pennsylvania to Lehman Place Grove where there is an active connection to the rail network. The steam loco in use is former Canadian National #89 built by the Canadian Locomotive Works, Kingston, Ontario. Nice to see this steam train in action here! Credits: John Raby

Episode 2: Steam on the Strasburg Rail Road

Part 2: The Cass Scenic Railroad

The standard gauge Cass railroad is operated by the Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad within the West Virginia State Park. In this first episode the ride goes from Cass to the Bald Knob summit at 1440 meters above sea level.
It is an 11 miles (17,7 km) uphill slog for the Shay, Climax and Heisler geared locos. Currently five Shays steam locos make up the active fleet with a Climax and a Heisler under repair and other locos stored. 
Have fun looking at these beautiful American steam locomotives, where the autumn colours make it even more beautiful!
 Credits: John Raby

Episode 1: The Cass Scenic Railroad - Cass to Bald Knob

The Cass Scenic Railroad in West Virginia State Park also operates a day-trip along the river valley route to Durbin. This route has only been restored in 2023 after flooding washed away the track in places. The trains are operated by a Shay steam locomotive hauling the train rather than propelling it.
 The pace is slow as Shays can&rsquo;t go that fast, but that gives you more time to enjoy the environment in autumn colours!
 Credits: John Raby

Episode 2: The Cass Scenic Railroad - Cass to Durbin

Part 3: East Broad Top & J and L & Western Maryland 

The 3ft gauge East Brod Top (EBT) is a former coal railroad in Orbisonia/Rockhill, Pennsylvania. In 2020 it was purchased by a non-profit foundation and resumed operation in summer 2021 and ran its first steam service in 2023. Steam locomotive no. 16 has been restored and will be followed by no. 15, starting in 2024. All 6 of the Baldwin 2-8-2 Mikado narrow gauge steam locos and a fully equipped steam workshop survived. The current operation is only 5 miles from Rockhill to Colgate Picnic Grove. The line plans to re-open to Robertsdale around 27 miles along the way where the EBT has a museum. Enjoy this beautiful museum railroad! Credits: John Raby

East Broad Top Museum Railway

Located in Youngstown, Ohio, the J&amp;L Narrow Gauge Railroad is a 24" gauge (61 centimetres) steel mill demonstration railroad where historic narrow gauge rail equipment, used in steelmaking and heavy industry, is preserved and operated. The centrepiece of the railroad is the J&amp;L 58, a 45 ton Porter 0-4-0 Tank locomotive once used by Jones &amp; Laughlin Steel in Pittsburgh. Credits: John Raby

J&L Narrow Gauge Railroad

The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad is a museum rail company based in Cumberland, Maryland that operates passenger and occasional freight trains using both steam and diesel locomotives over ex-Western Maryland Railway tracks between Cumberland and Frostburg. They have a large mallet steam locomotive, the Baldwin 1309 and another smaller steam loco, the Baldwin 734 which was under repair when this video was made. This is a very nice museum railroad, which you can enjoy here! Credits: John Raby

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