This photo was taken during one of the railroad's "Trains & Troops" events a few years back. For a number of years, in the mid and late 2000s, the Strasburg Railroad used to run this annual event on the first weekend in November, in honor of those who have served this nation in the military. On both Saturday and Sunday, the line would run 2 trains per hour, similar to what is done during the summer season. There would be a regular hourly passenger train, and a half-hour train that was typically a mixed "troop train", featuring a combination of freight cars and passenger equipment. World War I and II re-enactors would circulate about the platforms and ride these trains. The event was a photographer's dream because it offered a lot of very interesting train action in some of the best light of the year. Alas, in the last couple of years, this event has been gradually scaled back, and when I look at the railroad's schedule for 2013, it appears as if the event has been eliminated entirely. This doesn't mean you can't ride and photograph a steam-powered mixed train on the Strasburg any more. Far from it. Twice a week for much of their operating season, you can show up at 8AM and ride a real, no-kidding revenue freight.