Strasburg, PA
"Choo Choo Barn, Strasburg PA" by Howard N2GOT / Flickr, CC BY 2.0
About Choo Choo Barn
In the 1,700‑square‑foot Choo Choo Barn near Strasburg, Pennsylvania, a miniature landscape showcases 17 operating trains weaving among more than 177 hand‑built animated figures and vehicles. Visitors watch the trains navigate detailed replicas of local landmarks—including The Willows Restaurant, Dutch Wonderland and the Strasburg Rail Road—while seasonal lighting and landscaping create a lively tableau. The display, opened in 1961, updates each spring, preserving the Groff family’s original vision.
At a Glance
Verified daily- Type
- Heritage railroad & tourist attraction
- Location
- Strasburg, PA
- Rating
- 4.8 ★ 1,675 Google reviews
Upcoming Events
No ticketed events are currently listed for Choo Choo Barn. Many heritage operators publish schedules seasonally or run on regular open hours instead of dated events.
Check the operator’s website for current hours and special runs, or subscribe to event alerts and we’ll email you when something is scheduled.
Plan Your Visit
- Parking
- Free lot · paid lot · street parking
- Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Hours
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMTuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMWednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMThursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMFriday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMSaturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMSunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Find the Depot
The Trains
The 1,700-square-foot display runs 17 operating model trains through a miniature landscape of more than 177 hand-built animated figures, past replicas of local landmarks including the Strasburg Rail Road.
History
See full history
The Choo Choo Barn begins in 1945 when George Groff creates the exhibit in the basement of his family home on Franklin Street in Strasburg, Pennsylvania. In 1961 the Groffs relocate the collection to a township maintenance building along Route 741, opening the new facility on Thanksgiving Day with six trains and six animated figures. After George and Florence Groff retire in 1979, their son Thomas Groff and his wife Linda assume ownership and curatorship, a role they continue to fill as the display is refreshed each spring.
Around the Depot
Pennsylvania's Choo Choo Barn pairs with the Ma & Pa Railroad Heritage Village about 20 mi off and the Stewartstown Railroad Company roughly 27 mi away.
The National Toy Train MuseumMuseum·★ 4.7 (300)<1 miView →
Ma & Pa Railroad Heritage VillageTrain Ride·★ 4.5 (103)20 miView →
Harrisburg, Lincoln & Lancaster RailroadTrain Ride·★ 4.7 (18)27 miView →
Stewartstown Railroad CompanyTrain Ride·★ 4.5 (95)27 miView →Canadian Pacific Locomotive No. 972Attraction·★ 4 (3)<1 miDirections →Strasburg Historic District (Strasburg, Pennsylvania)Attraction·★ 5 (2)<1 miDirections →Strasburg Heritage SocietyMuseum·★ 4 (3)<1 miDirections →Strasburg Scooters & ToursAttraction·★ 4.8 (497)<1 miDirections →Getting There & Staying Nearby
Optional trip extras from our travel partners.
Rent a Car
Most heritage railroads sit well off the interstate. Picking up a rental at the nearest airport is usually the easiest way in.
Compare rentals on Discover Cars →Bookings made through this link support usatrainrides at no extra cost to you.
Tours & Activities near Strasburg
Tours
Guided tours, day trips, and things to do around the area, bookable in advance through Viator.
Browse nearby tours →Bookings made through this link support usatrainrides at no extra cost to you.