General admission to the park and event is FREE!
For those looking to experience one of our short train rides, there is a cost of $6/person ages 6+, $1 for ages 0-5; payment by credit card only at the Tickets and Information Booth located near the main parking lot.
Tank and Halftrack rides are offered by the Stuart Memorial Tank Association & the Iron Horse Society, with tickets available on site or in advance through the Iron Horse Society.
Some advance tickets will be available online at recreation. gov starting on Wednesday, 8/26, with limited tickets available for walk-up purchase at the main information booth during Railfest.
Friday, 9/4
"Scranton Limited" Yard Shuttles
- Anticipated power: Baldwin Locomotive Works #26 (steam)
- Run time: about 30 minutes
- Departing the Excursion Platform at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.
Caboose Hops
- Anticipated power: Nickel Plate #514 (diesel)
- Run time: 10-15 minutes
- “Load and go” at Track 12 near the Turntable from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, 9/5
"Scranton Limited" Yard Shuttles
- Anticipated power: Baldwin Locomotive Works #26 (steam)
- Run time: about 30 minutes
- Departing the Excursion Platform at 10:00 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.
Caboose Hops
- Anticipated power: Nickel Plate #514 (diesel)
- Run time: 10-15 minutes
- “Load and go” at Track 12 near the Turntable from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Photo Run By
Offers riders a short train ride with the option to disembark for a photo opportunity of the steam engine as it does a couple of run-bys.
- Anticipated power: Baldwin Locomotive Works #26 (steam)
- Run time: 60 minutes
- 11:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.
Sunday, 9/6
"Scranton Limited" Yard Shuttles
- Anticipated power: Baldwin Locomotive Works #26 (steam)
- Run time: about 30 minutes
- Departing the Excursion Platform at 10:00 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.
Caboose Hops
- Anticipated power: Nickel Plate #514 (diesel)
- Run time: 10-15 minutes
- “Load and go” at Track 12 near the Turntable from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Photo Run By
Offers riders a short train ride with the option to disembark for a photo opportunity of the steam engine as it does a couple of run-bys.
- Anticipated power: Baldwin Locomotive Works #26 (steam)
- Run time: 60 minutes
- 11:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.
Announcing Steamtown National Historic Site’s first ever Life on the Railroad Costume Contest!
Step into the golden age of railroading and show off your best historic look at Railfest 2026.
Whether you’re dressed as a classic railroad employee, a beloved railroad mascot, or a character from the railroading era, we want to see your creativity shine.
Sunday, September 6
1PM
Presentation Tent next to the History Museum
Contest Categories
• Best Railroad Employee: engineers, conductors, firemen, station masters, porters, and more
• Best Railroad Mascot: Phoebe Snow, Chessie the Cat, Rocky the Mountain Goat, and more
• Best Railroading Era Personality: passengers, news butchers, hobos, and other historic figures
• Best Pair: related characters or themed duos (parent/child, partners, friends)
Judging Criteria
• Participants will be scored on Presentation, Effort, and Creativity
• Adult and child winners will be selected in each category (except Best Pair, one winning duo only).
• Winners must be present in the tent to receive a prize.
Important Note: Non service animals are not permitted in the core complex, pets will not be judged.
Having trouble deciding who to portray? Take inspiration from our “Life on the Railroad” exhibit and items in our museum collection.
Free parking availalble at Steamtown National Historic Site (use 250 Cliff Street for GPS). Additional overflow parking available in the county and state parking lots adjacent to the COLTS bus terminal after 4 PM on Friday and all day on Saturday & Sunday. Access from the Steamtown entrance road (Cliff Street) and follow the Railfest Parking signs.
Pedestrian entrances to the park will be open at the state employee lot behind COLTS and via the Walkway from the Marketplace at Steamtown. Both of these pedestrian routes will close at 5 p.m. all three days.
Packaged snacks and drinks will be available for purchase on site at the Iron Horse Society tent just outside the Visitor Center. Picnic tables are located near the Park Store and under the shade trees near the parking lot bus shelter.
A coffee, food, and ice cream truck will be located just off site at the state employee parking lot near the COLTS bus terminal on Lackawanna Ave. at various times throughout the event. Access the through the gate at the end of the boardwalk near the Steamtown/Trolley Museum excursion platform. The Marketplace at Steamtown also has additional food vendors and restaurants (access via mall walkway ramp).
A huge array of great food is just a few blocks away at the annual La Festa Italiana, a celebration of Italian-American culture and cuisine at Scranton’s Courthouse Square. A free COLTS shuttle bus will run between Railfest at Steamtown and La Festa approximately every 20 minutes from 11 AM to 6 PM on Saturday & Sunday.
