“If you’re a railfan, here you’re not strange. Here you’re a part of the gang automatically. You fit right in, and that makes our guests very comfortable”. We chat with Tom Davis, innkeeper for the Station Inn about his 22 years providing railfans with the ideal Pennsylvania getaway.
The station in is located in Cresson, PA, along what used to be the Pennsylvania Railroad’s mainline. Now, Norfolk Southern sends approximately 70 trains per day through the region. Landmarks in the area include Horseshoe Curve, the Gallitzin Tunnels, and of course, The Station Inn.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Question of the Day (27:10)
What is your favorite memory of staying in a hotel or bed & breakfast while railfanning? Let me know and I will respond to your comments in our next episode.
Subscribe on iTunes, Join our Newsletter, share this episode with at least one person today, and remember that The Roundhouse is Our House!
To answer the question of the day: I was staying at the Bridgeview in Marysville on the eastern end of the Pittsburg line, and at about 6:30 we were awoken by an engine blasting its horn for some people on the bridge. Though that was a bad reason to signal, it was cool in my eyes, or ears I should say.
It’s a cookie cutter for sure, but the Holiday Inn Cumberland Maryland is a favorite of mine. I was attracted to stay there (while visiting the WMSR) by negative comments on the hotel’s site saying things like, “Never stay at a place next to the railroad.” and ” It’s a great place if you like to be woken up by trains at all hours of the night…”. Sounds good to me! The hotel has offered “Railfan packages” in the past that include a room overlooking the Amtrak station and CSX yard, breakfast at a reserved window table, and 2 tickets to ride WMSR’s Mountain Thunder. I usually walk from the hotel to the station, which is separated by Cumberland’s gorgeous downtown shopping district (and yes, there is a hobby shop there)!
Well I am a teen. When I went to the Rileys Railhouse in Chesterton IN on the NS chicago line. That was the best memory
I have been staying at The Station Inn for 20 years…..My family originated in a town 16 miles West of Cresson near trackside……
I was inspired by these two factors to buy a home near the tracks a few miles from Cresson a couple of months ago which will be my home on through my retirement years.
It seems like a nice community. I hope you’re enjoying your new home!