News Release

NPS Photo
Subscribe
![]() |
Contact: John Harlan Warren, 215-908-3159
SCRANTON, Pennsylvania— Starting on November 20, Steamtown National Historic Site will close multiple park buildings to address mechanical issues with its heating system. Although the buildings will remain closed until heat can be restored through temporary or long-term repairs, the park will remain open and all events scheduled through December will occur. Updates and a list of activities are available at https://go.nps.gov/STEAconditions
The parkwide boiler system that provides heat to eight buildings, including those used by National Park Service staff and visitors, is currently inoperable. The failure was recently discovered when park staff began to fire the boilers and pressurize the system for winter use. Efforts are under way to procure temporary boilers to bring the buildings back into service as quickly as possible.
The Electric City Trolley Station and Museum, located at 300 Cliff Street, is also affected by the situation. It is expected that the Trolley Museum will have a temporary system in place to provide heat to the building before Thanksgiving so that planned special events can continue.
Steamtown’s Roundhouse building, which contains most of the park’s restored rolling stock, and the railyard will remain open and accessible to visitors. The operation of trains will continue with holiday events through December and return in late spring, which is the normal operating procedure.
“Stuff the Caboose” for United Neighborhood Centers of Scranton will take place on Saturday, November 19 from 5 – 7 p.m. “Scranton Limited” Yard Shuttles will run from Friday, November 25 through Sunday, November 27. Santa Claus will arrive at Steamtown via the Santa Train on Saturday, December 3 from 3 – 4 p.m. The “North Pole Limited”, an event sponsored by the Iron Horse Society (the park’s official partner organization), will occur on December 10, 11, 17 and 18. Please check the Iron Horse Society’s website for updates.
Visitors can find the latest updates concerning on-site conditions on Steamtown’s website at https://www.nps.gov/stea or on its Facebook page.
-NPS-
Last updated: December 8, 2022