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Making America's Best Idea Even Better
Steamtown National Historic SiteIllinois Central 790 with a December sunset. NPS Photo, Ken ganz
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Steamtown National Historic Site
Railroad Yards, Then and Now
A black and white photo from 1951 showing the sand drying tower with railroad tank cars and period automobiles.

NPS PHoto

The historic sand drying tower (Sand Tower) was used by the railroad to store and dry sand. The sand helped give locomotives more traction. This is one of the buildings you will be able to see (and compare with the historic photo) on the Railroad Yards, Then and Now walking tour.

Join a Park Ranger or a Volunteer for a before-and-after look at the former maintenance and repair yards for the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad (this is NOT a "Shop Tour").

Departs from the Visitor Center.  Included in the Park Entrance Fee.
The Wright Flyer flew 120 feet on its first flight. The largest steam engine at Steamtown is 12 feet longer!  

Did You Know?
The first flight of the Wright Flyer was 120 feet? That is 12 feet less than the length of one of the steam locomotives at Steamtown National Historic Site. The Union Pacific 'Big Boy', built in 1941, is 132 feet, 9 3/4 inches long!
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Last Updated: June 08, 2006 at 14:25 EST