Reading Company Technical & Historical Society

About Us

the Reading Railroad Heritage Museum is the educational and interpretive center for the extensive collections of the Reading Company Technical and Historical Society. Located at 500 S. Third St. in Hamburg PA, the Museum’s displays, video, hands-on experiences, and events illustrate the impact of the Reading Railroad on southeastern Pennsylvania and beyond from its beginning in 1833 until the end of its era in 1976. The historic Reading Railroad locomotives, freight and passenger cars are displayed outdoors. A replica of a switch tower interprets Reading Railroad operations. The exhibit building features an orientation video, “The Reading Railroad Shaped Communities”, a recreated station agent’s office, and interpretive exhibits.

The Reading Company Technical and Historical Society (RCT&HS), an all-volunteer, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization incorporated in 1976, has collected over 70 significant Reading Railroad locomotives, freight and passenger equipment, hundreds of artifacts, and tens of thousands of documents and photographs pertaining to the railroad’s people, facilities, and operations, one of the largest collections in the U.S. pertaining to a single railroad.