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Steam Town: rail fans, this is your place!

Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2012 6:07 am
by jbjeeps
Steam Town National Historic Site in Scranton, PA

If you’re interested in railroading, steam railroading in particular, then this place should definitely be on your bucket list!

The Roundhouse has been restored. It houses locomotives (steam and early diesel) freight cars, passenger cars and all kinds of railroading equipment. Interpretive Rangers lead guided tours. The small Theater shows movies highlighting the history of the site. During the summer, you can ride on one of the “Excursion” trains behind an old steam locomotive.

The 90 foot Turntable is still used to move locomotives and cars in and out of the Roundhouse.

The oldest section of the Repair Shop was built in the 1860’s. It is an actual working shop. Take the tour and see locomotives and other equipment in various stages of repair & restoration.

“Railfest 2012” is scheduled for Labor Day weekend.

Lackawanna Station, an elegant rail station built by the Line in the early 1900’s, still stands in downtown Scranton. It is now a Radisson Hotel, but the original lobby is open to the public. Go there on Sunday morning and enjoy an elegant Brunch ($$$!). Call ahead for reservations.

This facility was a service and repair center for the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Line. Much of the equipment you’ll see here is from that Line. My grandfather worked on the “Lackawanna” for over 45 years.

This National Park Service site is the only site of it’s kind in the NPS system, and one of the largest and most complete facilities like it in the country.

We spent two terrific days at Steam Town last week while visiting family in the area. Here are a few of the many photos we took and a link to the website. Good info, photos and virtual tours on the website. Enjoy!

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Union Pacific "Big Boy" and #47.

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Looking down onto the Turntable from the second floor of the Roundhouse. Downtown Scranton in the distance.

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Photo board showing the locomotives housed at Steam Town.

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Steam locomotive undergoing restoration in the Repair Shop. Boiler up on blocks, frame in front, wheels to the right behind the press.

Steam Town website: http://www.nps.gov/stea/index.htm

Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 2:23 pm
by FrankenJeep
That shop photo kinda reminds me of OUR backshop at Norfolk Southern. I didn't "know" somebody who worked for the RR, my "uncle, father, sister, or brother"! No it was ME who spent a long career on Southern/NS! Now happily retired. The best part of the railroad.............is being AWAY from it! :lol:

FrankenJeep
Clerk/Agent, retired

Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2012 8:57 am
by Ryan_Miller
Great photos. That is going on the list of things to see.

I really like that shop too.

Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2012 11:00 am
by jbjeeps
Ryan_Miller wrote:Great photos. That is going on the list of things to see.

I really like that shop too.
Glad you enjoyed the photos Ryan. It is a great place to visit. I wish we were closer, I'd like to be there for their RailFest in September.

Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2012 11:36 am
by Foxmike
Very cool. Thanks for sharing.

Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2012 10:19 am
by FrankenJeep
Norfolk Southern is operating a steam ferry move from Greenville, SC to Spencer NC today! Ex-Southern 630, a 2-8-0 will be traveling north today. I hope to see it by my home..............

FJ