News Release

Steamtown National Historic Site Announces Rail Excursions for August and September 2019

Locomotive No. 514 at Moscow Station

NPS Photo

News Release Date: July 31, 2019

Contact: Bill Fischer, 570-340-5244

On Saturday and Sunday, August 3-4, we’re heading to the picturesque Pocono Mountains’ village of Moscow PA. Visit the restored passenger station and freight depot. Light refreshments and souvenirs will be available at the Moscow Station. Sales support the restoration of the park’s Boston & Maine #3713 steam locomotive. In addition, the exciting Moscow Country Street Fair will have live entertainment, crafts, a quilt show, vintage cars and tractors on display, and much more for your enjoyment. The excursion departs at 11:00 a.m. and returns to the park at about 2:00 p.m. Ticket pricing is $24 for adults, ages 16-61; $22 for seniors, ages 62 and older; and $17 for children ages 6-15. Children to age 5 require a free ticket.

On Saturday, August 10, hop aboard the Penn Division Explorer to Archbald PA. Learn about the rich history of the Lackawanna River Valley and the O&W and D&H railroads that plied the area. Visit the remnants of the Gravity Railroad which hauled coal over the mountain to be shipped via canal boat to the NYC metro. Guides will talk about the Powder Mill Preserve and how the LHVA works to ensure that more than 100,000 acres of natural and scenic watershed lands are protected. Light refreshments will be available for purchase. Guests are encouraged to wear sturdy walking shoes to best enjoy the varied activities along the LHV Trail. The excursion departs at 10:00 am and returns to the park at about 3:30 pm. Ticket pricing is $24 for adults, ages 16-61; $22 for seniors, ages 62 and older; and $17 for children ages 6-15. Children to age 5 require a free ticket.

On Sunday, August 11, enjoy a leisurely excursion from Steamtown NHS to Gouldsboro PA, in the heart of the Pocono Mountains. Imagine stepping back into the Roaring ’20s, when rail travel was the way to get to the Pocono resorts. Visit the former passenger station, which contains historic photos and exhibits. The station staff will have light refreshments available for purchase and will have special activities available. The excursion departs at 11:00 a.m. and returns to the park at about 3:00 p.m. Ticket prices are $34 for adults (ages 16-61), $29 for seniors (ages 62+), $22 for children (ages 6-15), and Free for children up to age 5 (free ticket required).

On Saturday, August 17, the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Explorer will take visitors from Steamtown NHS to Carbondale to enjoy Pioneer Days activities. Sponsored by the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority and others, tickets for this excursion are not available for purchase at Steamtown NHS. Visit https://lhva.org/Programs.php or call 570-963-6730, ext 8200 for more info. The excursion departs Steamtown NHS at 10:00 am and returns at about 4:00 pm.

On Sunday, August 18, we’re heading to the picturesque Pocono Mountains’ village of Moscow PA. Visit the restored passenger station and freight depot. Light refreshments and souvenirs will be available at the Moscow Station. Sales support the restoration of the park’s Boston & Maine #3713 steam locomotive. The excursion departs at 12:30 a.m. and returns to the park at about 2:30 p.m. Ticket pricing is $24 for adults, ages 16-61; $22 for seniors, ages 62 and older; and $17 for children ages 6-15. Children to age 5 require a free ticket.

On Saturday, August 24, make Tobyhanna your destination for the day! Visit the restored 1907 passenger station. Learn about the important role the area played in providing summertime ice in the days before electric refrigeration. The station staff will have light refreshments available for purchase and special activities to enjoy during your layover. The excursion departs at 11:00 a.m. and returns to the park at about 3:00 p.m. Ticket prices are $34 for adults (ages 16-61), $29 for seniors (ages 62+), $22 for children (ages 6-15), and Free for children up to age 5 (free ticket required).

On Sunday, August 25, all aboard for Cresco PA!  Enjoy a variety of activities at the restored depot, which highlights the early days of Pocono resort living. Lively musical concerts are a mainstay event. The station staff will have light refreshments available for purchase. The excursion departs at 11:00 a.m. and returns to the park at about 3:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $34 for adults (ages 16-61), $29 for seniors (ages 62+), $22 for children (ages 6-15), and Free for children up to age 5 (free ticket required).

Finally, Railfest is an annual celebration of railroading held on the Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend, this year being August 31 and September 1.  Enjoy Locomotive Shop demonstrations, model trains (including an operating Lego train display), children’s activities, Speeder work car rides, hand pump car rides, tours of Mattes Street Tower and the Office and Stores Building, live entertainment, and much more. Scranton Limited and Caboose Experience short train rides are included in the special event charge via one- or two day passes: Adults (ages 16+) $10 one-day or $15 two-day; Children (ages 6-15) $7 one-day or $10 two-day; Children through age 5 are free. Please note that America the Beautiful passes do not cover this special event charge.

During Railfest there will be a separately priced excursion to Moscow on both days. Ticket pricing is $24 for adults, ages 16-61; $22 for seniors, ages 62 and older; and $17 for children ages 6-15. Children to age 5 require a free ticket. Departure and return times will be posted to the Steamtown NHS website.

Tickets may be purchased in advance for Steamtown NHS sponsored rail excursions and tours by calling 570-340-5204 or stopping by the Steamtown NHS Fee Booth Wednesday through Sunday from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Please note that the Fee Booth is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. However, ticket reservations may be secured on those days by calling 570-340-5206 and providing the requested information; park staff will return your call on Wednesday morning to complete your purchase.

Advanced reservations are recommended although day-of-excursion tickets may be available for purchase at the Fee Booth prior to train boarding (not for the LHVA Explorer on August 17). Tickets are non-refundable unless an excursion is cancelled by park management. Steamtown NHS accepts all major credit cards, debit cards, checks, money orders, and cash (cash only in person at the Fee Booth). Please note that trains depart on schedule and cannot be held for late arrivals.

All excursions into the Poconos and along the Carbondale line will be powered using historic diesel locomotives and vintage passenger railcars. While excursions to Moscow PA may be mobility-impaired accessible, please state any accessibility concerns/needs before finalizing your ticket purchase.

Because we operate in an active railroad yard, share tracks with other operators, and use historic equipment, all excursion and short train ride schedules are subject to change. We appreciate in advance your understanding should unforeseen circumstances cause scheduling delays.

Located in downtown Scranton, Pa., Steamtown NHS is open daily from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 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 [phone] during regular business hours, or by visiting the park website anytime.

www.nps.gov/stea
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at www.nps.gov, on Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice, Twitter www.twitter.com/natlparkservice, and YouTube www.youtube.com/nationalparkservice.