Railfest Event Page Archived

Railfest 2024 took place at Steamtown NHS
August 29-September 1, 2024.

Railfest 2025 took place August 29-31, 2025.

Check here for information on Railfest 2026.

 
Railfest 2025 with Engine 6039

RAILFEST 2025
Celebrate Railroading and the 30th Anniversary of Steamtown's Grand Opening!
Labor Day Weekend (August 29–31, 2025)
9 AM - 5 PM

Railfest celebrates railroading's past, present, and future with train rides, special demonstrations, exhibits, visiting rail equipment, musical entertainment, ranger programs, and lots of activities and displays offered by our community partners. This year’s event honors both the 100th birthday of Canadian National locomotive #6039 and the 30th anniversary of Steamtown's Grand Opening.

It all kicks off with an opening ceremony Friday, 8/29 at 10:30 a.m., where we'll introduce this year's Honorary Railfest Conductor! The event is free (with charges for some rides). Some of the weekend highlights include:

Visiting Equipment: The park will host several pieces of visiting equipment from the Delaware and Lackawanna Railroad, including the famed Nickel Plate PA-190 locomotive, the historic City of Lima sleeper car, the Lehigh Valley No. 414 diesel locomotive coupled with the park's Lehigh valley No. 353 Black Diamond private business car. Other equipment is on the way as well and we'll update as pieces are confirmed.

Rides: Hop on board the Scranton Limited and experience a short train ride pulled by our 1929 #26 Baldwin steam locomotive or a ride on a short "caboose hop" (tickets $6). Ride on maintenance of way equipment including a pump handcar and NJ Trackcar railroad speeders. And, in partnership with the Iron Horse Society's fundraiser for the park's Troop Sleeper, a WWII Stuart Tank will be offering rides around the park. (Tickets - $120 donation to Iron Horse)

Programs and Demonstrations:The locomotive shops will be open to visit, with demonstrations of the drop table, the "ring of fire" and other railroad restoration machinery. Enjoy cab tours of the Big Boy, model train layouts, demonstrations from an Amtrak K-9 unit, walking tours, and much more. Plus come meet TUG, the family favorite tow engine from the National Museum of Industrial History!

Exhibits and Displays- Check out exhibits highlighting the Grand Opening of Steamtown in 1995 along with recently restored treasures from collections storage, and craft your own paper pocketwatch inspired by items in the park collections. Check out all the great displays from community partners representing recreational, environmental, and heritage opportunities in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Steamtown at 30- Join a panel of 4 railroading experts for their thoughts on Steamtown's past, present, and future, and their perspectives on the world of rail preservation. Friday at 3 p.m.

Take advantage of the free bus shuttle between Railfest and the food and fun of the La Festa Italian Festival in downtown Scranton! Come on down - It'll be a great weekend at Steamtown National Historic Site!

 

2025 Schedule of Activities and Programs

The Daily Schedule may evolve in the weeks leading up to Railfest as we continue to work out final details, and additional activites and programs are likely to be added. An event schedule and map will be available to all visitors upon arrival at Steamtown National Historic Site.

NOTE: All programs and activities may be subject to cancellation or changes due to mechanical issues, inclement weather, or crew/partner availability.

 
Ranger and Scouts at tables under a tent with brochures, photos, a game wheel and stuffed animal displayed on the tables.

Be a Part of Railfest 2025!

We're looking for community and heritage nonprofit organizations to join us at Railfest. If you are a heritage railroad, a model railroader, a community historic or preservation group, a historical demonstrator, or are part of a group that connects in some way with stories of railroads, railroaders, or railroading and are interested in being a part of Railfest, we'd love to hear from you.

Participation is free of charge, though we do have limited space, so the sooner you let us know the better opportuinty you have to be included.

Please complete the questionnaire and we'll get back to you soon:
2025 Railfest Community Partners Registration Form

 
Visit our keyboard shortcuts docs for details
Duration:
7 minutes, 16 seconds

In 2024, Nickel Plate Road No. 759 celebrates 80 years since its construction in August. While 759 is usually tucked away in Steamtown's roundhouse, Ranger Alan invites you to join him on a virtual tour of the cab!

 
event flyer for Railfest 2024
For the first time since 2019, Steamtown National Historic Site’s Railfest returns to Labor Day Weekend: Saturday, 8/31, and Sunday, 9/1. Railfest is a celebration for all ages, you don't want to miss out!

NPS Photo

Celebrate Railroading:
Railfest Returns to Steamtown NHS
Labor Day Weekend, 8/31-9/1/2024
9 AM - 5 PM, both days


Railfest celebrates railroading’s past, present, and future with train rides, special demonstrations, exhibits, visiting rail equipment, musical entertainment, ranger programs, and a host of activities and displays offered by community partners.

Live Music: Not only will visitors be able to experience the sounds of an active railroad, they can enjoy some musical entertainment throughout the weekend as well. So, pull up and be sure to catch one, two, or all performances! Musicians to include: Van Wagner, Linda Russell, Doug Smith's Dixieland All-Stars, and Ole 97 Johnny Cash June Carter Tribute Band.

Programs and Demonstrations: Visitors will be able to ride on maintenance of way equipment, including a velocipede, a handcar, and NJ Trackcar railroad speeders. The locomotive shops will be open for visiting, with demonstrations of the drop table, the “ring of fire”, and other railcar preservation and maintenance machinery. Cab tours of the Big Boy, displays of model train layouts, and demonstrations of the Amtrak K-9 unit will also take place throughout the event.

Visiting Equipment: The park will host several pieces of visiting equipment from the Delaware and Lackawanna Railroad, including the famed Nickel Plate PA-190 locomotive, the historic City of Lima sleeper car, and the Lehigh Valley No. 414 diesel locomotive coupled with the park’s Lehigh Valley No. 353 Black Diamond private business car. Norfolk Southern will also be visiting with their No. 1074 Lackawanna Heritage Unit.
 

2024 Schedule of Activities and Programs

The daily schedules of programs and activities throughout the Labor Day Weekend are a result of collaborative efforts to ensure our visitors can make the most of Railfest 2024.  We continue to work out final details in the days leading up to the event. An event schedule and map will be available to all visitors upon arrival at Steamtown National Historic Site.

NOTE: as with any public event, all programs and activities may be subject to cancellation due to mechanical issues, inclement weather, or crew/partner availability.

 

Railfest 2024 Guide and Site Map

 
Image of visitor guide brochure divided into 3 sections: safety on left, site map in middle, program guide and cover on right
The Railfest 2024 Guide is available to print from home, or for visitors to pick up on-site throughout the weekend. Event takes place Saturday, August 31 and Sunday, September 1, 9am - 5pm each day. Important for visitors to know: Free shuttle to and from La Festa, First Aid Station is available for emergencies, Sensory Cool Down Room available to all, and Steamtown is an active railroad yard.

NPS Photo

 
Page two of trifold brochure for Railfest 2024. Left side includes Saturday events, middle includes Sunday events, right side includes ongoing events all weekend
The Railfest 2024 Guide is available to print from home, or for visitors to pick up on-site throughout the weekend. Page two of the guide is broken into three sections: Saturday, Sunday, and Ongoing Activities. Scheduled events may be subject to change depending upon inclement weather, equipment malfunction, or crew availability.

NPS Photo

 
color copy of site map for Steamtown NHS Railfest 2024. Map identifies key buildings and program areas
Railfest programs and activities will take place throughout several locations within the boundaries of Steamtown National Historic Site.

NPS Photo

 

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  • Two nickel plate locomotives parked outdoors
    Railfest 2024 News Release

    In collaboration with the annual La Festa Italiana in downtown Scranton, Railfest returns to Steamtown Labor Day Weekend 8/31-9/1/2024

  • two locomotives parked in roundhouse at night
    Nickel Plate Power & Prestige

    Join the Iron Horse Society for an evening (or two) of photography; advance tickets required. Photo courtesy of Kenny G.

  • A group of 40 people walk outside along an historic hotel building
    Railfest Radisson Tours

    Offers riders a short train ride and guided tour of the historic Lackawanna Railroad Station; advance tickets required.

Last updated: August 8, 2026

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

150 South Washington Avenue
Scranton, PA 18503-2018

Phone:

(570) 445-1898
General park information. Phone monitored 9:30am-4pm, daily

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