The freight yard has seen a 169% surge in the number of incoming freight cars in March, many of them bringing ingredients for food and pet products to manufacturers responding to a pandemic-driven surge in demand.

“Railcars loaded with commodities such as wheat, oats, soybeans, corn and more are keeping local mills and other facilities in operation so consumer products like bread, Pop Tarts, dog food and even kitty litter can be adequately stocked on local grocery store shelves,” said Steve Barrall.

Strasburg Rail Road -- established in 1832, making it the oldest continuously operating railroad in the western hemisphere -- has taken two key steps to help lessen the pandemic's impact.

It’s donated 140 N95 masks and 8,000 nitrile exam gloves to Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, and it’s reached out to local, state and officials to offer its manufacturing expertise and capabilities to help make ventilators or other medical equipment.