The layout includes over 20 trains that travel through a miniature version of Lancaster County.
The display features over 150 interactive animations, such as working fire trucks and moving carnival rides.
It is a family-owned business that has been evolving for over 75 years.
The display incorporates a night sequence where the lights dim to showcase illuminated building interiors and streetlamps.
Hidden figures and specific thematic scenes are changed or updated periodically by the creators.
Choo Choo Barn is a massive, handcrafted model train display located in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country. The layout features over 1,700 square feet of detailed scenery and over 150 automated animations depicting local Lancaster County life. It contains 22 operating model trains running simultaneously across tracks that traverse miniature farms, carnivals, and villages. The display is known for its intricate representation of seasonal changes, including hidden fire scenes and night-time lighting effects. Visitors navigate a winding path through the indoor facility to view the multi-level train tracks from various angles. The attraction is family-owned and has been a staple of the Strasburg community for decades. It provides a highly localized view of Pennsylvania history through a hobbyist lens.
The raised viewing platforms that offer an overhead perspective of the central carnival and the mountain tunnel sections.
Look for the hidden 'Easter eggs' and pop-culture references integrated into the miniature scenes.
Allow extra time for children to spot the specific fire-fighting animations that occur at regular intervals.
Combine your visit with the nearby Strasburg Rail Road to see full-scale steam trains after viewing the models.
Do not attempt to touch the display boards or the glass barriers, as the delicate animations are sensitive to vibration.
Closed for several weeks in mid-winter for annual maintenance and updates; typically closed on major holidays.
