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Contact: Bill Fischer, 570-340-5244
SCRANTON, Pa. – Steamtown National Historic Site (NHS) is pleased to announce the winning name in our Railfest 2018 “Name the Train” contest for visitors ages 6 and under. Eric Shulde, of nearby Browndale PA, likes the name “Chugga” for the sound that our Baldwin Locomotive Works 0-6-0 steam switching locomotive makes when carrying passengers on the “Scranton Limited” short train rides throughout the park. The name “Chugga” will be used for No. 26 until Railfest 2019.Several dozen youngsters offered their choice of names during Railfest 2018, the park’s annual Labor Day Weekend celebration of all things railroading. This year’s theme was “Railroading and Coal: A Labor of Love,” in recognition of the 250th anniversary of anthracite coal use, the natural resource that spurred the growth of northeastern Pennsylvania.
A panel of the three Steamtown NHS employees with the longest park tenure, Preservation Specialist John Melliand, Supervisory Park Ranger John Mucha, and Trainmaster Willard Sturdevant, with a combined service of roughly 100 years at Steamtown NHS, reviewed the entries and were in agreement that “Chugga” best fit BLW No. 26’s personality. Eric received a certificate, tickets for his family to ride behind “Chugga” on the “Scranton Limited,” and several of the site’s collectable trading cards showcasing some of the park’s locomotives and rolling stock. Congratulations again, Eric, on your winning entry!
“Chugga” was built in 1929 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works at their massive locomotive building complex south of Philadelphia and used it in their own railroad yard. Although small by steam locomotive standards, it can carry nearly seven tons of coal and 1,750 gallons of water in its tender to produce 29,375 pounds of tractive effort to perform work in the rail yard.
“Chugga” will continue to lead our “Scranton Limited” yard shuttles most Fridays through Sundays, from now through Veterans Day weekend. The train pulls out of the Steamtown NHS museum complex at 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 1:15 pm, and 2:15 pm to explore the former Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad yard in downtown Scranton. Tickets to ride are only $5 per person ages 6 and above. Come join us to learn more about the history of this once bustling railroad hub.
Located in downtown Scranton, Pa., Steamtown NHS is open daily from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily. From I-81 follow exit 185 (Central Scranton Expressway); then follow the brown and white signs to the park entrance at Lackawanna Avenue and Cliff Street (GPS: N 41.41, W 75.67). General park information is available by phoning (570) 340-5206 during regular business hours, or by visiting the park website anytime.
www.nps.gov/stea
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Last updated: September 13, 2018