STRASBURG, Pa. – Call it neighbors helping neighbors. After a devastating fire destroyed a 95-year old dairy barn at Verdant View Farm, Strasburg Rail Road is sounding a rally cry to help the neighboring farm raise funds needed to rebuild. In a show of support, Strasburg Rail Road, in partnership with Lerro Productions, is hosting The Red Ball Express, a mixed freight photo charter Saturday, May 26. All proceeds are earmarked for the Verdant View Farm.

Ticket holders to the Red Ball Express will enjoy a multi-hour steam-powered mixed train photo charter beginning late afternoon, extending into the evening. In conjunction with the Memorial Day holiday, the charter will take on a Military Railroad Service theme, with uniformed WWI and WWII re-enactors and encampments along the rail line. Tickets for the event are $200. Strasburg Rail Road and Lerro Productions are donating their time and equipment to maximize the amount able to be donated to Verdant View Farm. For those who would prefer to give a straight donation, Strasburg Rail Road has set up a link to donate.

The photo freight charter, which is scheduled to depart at 4:30 p.m. and run through 9:30 p.m., is open to the public, specifically those who share a passion for trains and photography. Those attending should bring their own camera and be comfortable getting on and off the train.

Lighting will be provided. Lerro Productions will also provide guidance to help the photographers capture their shots of the train at various locations along the line.

Details and tickets are here: https://www.strasburgrailroad.com/ride/events/red-ball-express/

Strasburg Rail Road is one of Pennsylvania’s leading family attractions and is home to museum-quality, turn-of-the-century steam locomotives, freight cars, dining cars, private cars, and one of the largest fleets of historic wooden passenger cars in the world. Founded in 1832, Strasburg Rail Road also holds the unique distinction as being America’s oldest short-line railroad.