Ak-Sar-Ben - STRASBURG1 - Passenger Car, Old-Time, Coach, Combine - Strasburg - 3-Pack

Specific Item Information: Old-Time Passenger Car Set: 2 Coach / 1 Combine

Combine: Eshelman Run / Coaches: Cherry Crest & Mill Creek

Road Name History: The SRC is the oldest surviving railroad still operating under its original charter in America. The company was founded in 1832 and by 1837 built a four and a half mile line from the town of Strasburg, Pennsylvania to connections in Leaman Place. Trains were horse-drawn until 1851 when they bought their first locomotive, a used 4-2-0 which is thought to be one of the first 50 locomotives built in the United States. In 1957 Hurricane Hazel destroyed much of the railroad. The owners applied for abandonment but a group of local railfans bought the company and set about repairing the line. Freight service to their only remaining customer resumed in 1958 and the following year they introduced tourist trains. Today, the operating Strasburg steam fleet includes an 0-6-0T dressed as Thomas The Tank Engine, a former Canadian National 0-6-0, a former Canadian National 2-6-0, a former Great Western 2-10-0 and a former Norfolk & Western 4-8-0. They also operate an SW8, a 10-ton Plymouth, a 20-ton Plymouth, and a Lancaster Oxford & Southern gas motor car. There are additional locomotives undergoing restoration. The tourist business remains strong and freight service has picked up considerably in recent years and is pulled by steam, diesel or both.

Brand/Importer Information: Ak-Sar-Ben Hobby Co
Information on AkSarBen Hobby and their history is sketchy at best. Of course, AkSarBen is Nebraska spelled backwards so one might assume that they got their start in the Husker state. The most recent evidence of their existence, however, was in the 2010 Model Retailer Hobby Industry Directory listing them in Jacksboro, TN. The phone number listed is disconnected, so, who knows for sure? What is known is that AkSarBen Hobbies was owned by Allen Miller and got their start in the 1980's producing very high quality custom, limited edition HO and N Scale products. They probably have left the model train business for more than 20 years ago.