Our One Tank Trips often take us beyond the borders of Berks County, but this week we're headed to a whole new galaxy. WFMZ's Karin Mallett takes us along to the final frontier with a visit to the Star Trek exhibit at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. 

  >> REPORTER: Exploration that's kept us watching for more than four decades. And now you are invited along. It's the full Star Trek experience at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.
 
>> TROY COLLINS: Many of our fans have come dressed costume, many of our fans have come to debate the different issues that are brought forth here in the exhibit, there's a lot of enthusiasm. 

>> REPORTER: You'll see the evolution of the Enterprise.. hang out in the Engineering Room, and if space travel has you feeling woozy, the sick bay is nearby. 

>> COLLINS: People have become so accustomed to seeing sick bay and here it is, right in front of your eyes. 

>> REPORTER: There are costumes and props from the original Star Trek series... all the way through this summer's blockbuster movie. 

>> COLLINS: One of the most dramatic pieces is Captain Kirk's original chair, it was the one that was used in the television series. You can sit in that chair, there are no velvet ropes around it. 

>> REPORTER: A green screen backdrop turns it into a photo op. Move over, James T. Kirk.. there's a new captain in town. 

>> COLLINS: We want people to feel that they are- immersed in the enjoyment that Star Trek has given to so many fans throughout the generations. 

>> REPORTER: Talk about immersion.. we're here on the bridge of the starship enterprise. With 42 decks, this ship was a small city in space..and one of the only places where if you wanted to go somewhere else.. 4 words would get you there. Beam me up, Scotty. 

>> REPORTER: Oops.. didn't mean to do that.. especially without my phaser.
 
>> COLLINS: Today a lot of that technology actually does exist so the mind of Gene Rodenberry wasn't too far off from reality.

>> REPORTER: Finding my inner vulcan on a One Tank Trip to Star Trek: The Exhibition at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.. Karin Mallett, 69 News Berks Edition.

One-way time from and to downtown Reading: 1 hour, 10 minutes 
One-way distance from and to downtown Reading: 62 miles 

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