Steamtown's 40th Anniversary

Steamtown National Historic Site Celebrates 40 Years

Steamtown National Historic Site marks its 40th anniversary this October, celebrating four decades since Congress designated it as a unit of the National Park Service.

On October 30, 1986, Congress enacted Public Law 99-591 establishing Steamtown National Historic Site on the former Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad yards in downtown Scranton, Pennsylvania. The park was established to further public understanding and appreciation of the role railroading played in the development of the United States. Over the last forty years, the park has been fulfilling that purpose with museum exhibits, interpretive programs, live steam and diesel experiences, excursions along the Pocono and Carbondale lines, community outreach events, preservation and restoration work, and special events like our signature annual Railfest.

Join us from October 23- November 1 for free train rides, unique experiences and special programming to help us celebrate this Steamtown milestone.

 

Steamtown's 40th - Friday, October 23 - Sunday, November 1

The park will be open daily 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. with free admission. The following will be offered daily throughout our 40th celebration:

Steamtown at 40 Exhibit: Check out the History Museum for a special temporary exhibit highlighting Steamtown USA (the park's predecessor) and the role of its founder F. Nelson Blount in assembling the equipment that would become the core of Steamtown's collection.

Locomotive Shop Tours at 11 & 2: Join a ranger or park volunteer for an hourlong tour of the locomotive restoration shops. Learn about the equipment, expertise, effort, and skill that keeps the park's railroading fleet operating and helps preserve historic equipment for future generations. Offered daily at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Free. Meet at the Visitor Center.

Visit Big Boy #4012's Cab: The cab of one of the largest and most powerful locomotives ever built will be open throughout the day. From 10-11 a.m. daily, a ranger will be stationed in the cab to answer questions and share information about the operation of this amazing piece of railroading technology and history.

 

Friday, October 23

Free Train Rides at 10:30, 11:30, 1:15 and 2:30: Hop onboard for a 30-35 minute ride through the railyard and up past the former Lackawanna Station (today's Radisson Hotel). A ranger will be onboard interpreting the experience and railroading history. Get your free tickets at the info booth near the parking lot.

40th Anniversary Ceremony 12 noon - 1 p.m.: Join the superintendent and other invited speakers in the Visitor Center for a ceremony recognizing Steamtown's 40th anniversary.

Handcar Program 2 - 4 p.m.: Join a ranger to learn about the work and workers involved in building and maintaining the track systems for the railroad. Give the handcar a try on a short human-powered trip back and forth on the rails.

Saturday, October 24

Free Train Rides at 10:30, 11:30, 1:15 and 2:30: Hop onboard for a 30-35 minute ride through the railyard and up past the former Lackawanna Station (today's Radisson Hotel). A ranger will be onboard interpreting the experience and railroading history. Get your free tickets at the info booth near the parking lot.

Fall Foliage Excursion to the Delaware Water Gap, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.: Enjoy the fall foliage of the Pocono Mountains on an excursion all the way to Slateford Junction in the heart of the scenic Delaware Water Gap. Tickets available at recreation. gov.

Authors' Booksigning and Presentations, 12 noon - 3 p.m.: Stop by the Visitor Center to meet the authors of books featuring local railroads and Steamtown National Historic Site. Every half hour starting at 12:30, the authors will be offering short presentations on their books. Books will be available for purchase through the Park Store, and the authors will be signing books at their tables from 12-3 p.m. Authors confirmed so far:

• Margo Azzarelli, Images of Rail- Steamtown National Historic Site
• Hank Webber, The History of the High Iron Company
• Dennis Livesey, Smoke Over Steamtown
• Bob Eckstein, Footnotes from the Most Fascinating Museums

Handcar Program 2 - 4 p.m.: Join a ranger to learn about the work and workers involved in building and maintaining the track systems for the railroad. Give the handcar a try on a short human-powered trip back and forth on the rails.

Sunday, October 25

Free Train Rides at 10:30, 11:30, 1:15 and 2:30: Hop onboard for a 30-35 minute ride through the railyard and up past the former Lackawanna Station (today's Radisson Hotel). A ranger will be onboard interpreting the experience and railroading history. Get your free tickets at the info booth near the parking lot.

Train Ride and Tour of the Lackawanna Station/Radisson Hotel at 1:15 p.m.: Board the 1:15 p.m. yard train and ride up to the Lackawanna Station, where you'll disembark and take a half hour guided tour through the first floor of the historic 1908 Lackawanna Station. Explore the ornate waiting room lined in Siena marble, topped by a stained glass ceiling, and adorned with faience tiles depicting sights and scenes along the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad. Then board the train for the return to Steamtown. ($10 for adults, $1 for kids under 6, advance tickets available at recreation.gov. The tour is capped at 40 participants, with walk-up tickets available if any seats remaining).

Handcar Program 2 - 4 p.m.: Join a ranger to learn about the work and workers involved in building and maintaining the track systems for the railroad. Give the handcar a try on a short human-powered trip back and forth on the rails.

Monday, October 26 - Thursday, October 29

Walking Tour to the Mattes Street Tower at 12:45 p.m.: Take a guided walk through the railyard and up to a concrete switching tower. Climb the cast iron steps to the top of the tower, learn about the operation of the railyard and appreciate the Lackawanna Railroad's use of concrete construction. 75 minutes, about 1 mile walking on uneven ground. Free. Meet at the Visitor Center.

Friday, October 30

Free Train Rides at 10:30, 11:30, 1:15 and 2:30: Hop onboard for a 30-35 minute ride through the railyard and up past the former Lackawanna Station (today's Radisson Hotel). A ranger will be onboard interpreting the experience and railroading history. Get your free tickets at the info booth near the parking lot.

Train Ride and Tour of the Lackawanna Station/Radisson Hotel at 1:15 p.m.: Board the 1:15 p.m. yard train and ride up to the Lackawanna Station, where you'll disembark and take a half hour guided tour through the first floor of the historic 1908 Lackawanna Station. Explore the ornate waiting room lined in Siena marble, topped by a stained glass ceiling, and adorned with faience tiles depicting sights and scenes along the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad. Then board the train for the return to Steamtown. ($10 for adults, $1 for kids under 6, advance tickets available at recreation.gov. The tour is capped at 40 participants, with walk-up tickets available if any seats remaining).

Handcar Program 2 - 4 p.m.: Join a ranger to learn about the work and workers involved in building and maintaining the track systems for the railroad. Give the handcar a try on a short human-powered trip back and forth on the rails.

Saturday, October 31

Free Train Rides at 10:30, 11:30, 1:15 and 2:30: Hop onboard for a 30-35 minute ride through the railyard and up past the former Lackawanna Station (today's Radisson Hotel). A ranger will be onboard interpreting the experience and railroading history. Get your free tickets at the info booth near the parking lot.

Train Ride and Tour of the Lackawanna Station/Radisson Hotel at 1:15 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.: Board the 1:15 p.m. or 2:30 p.m. yard train and ride up to the Lackawanna Station, where you'll disembark and take a half hour guided tour through the first floor of the historic 1908 Lackawanna Station. Explore the ornate waiting room lined in Siena marble, topped by a stained glass ceiling, and adorned with faience tiles depicting sights and scenes along the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad. Then board the train for the return to Steamtown. ($10 for adults, $1 for kids under 6, advance tickets available at recreation.gov. The tour is capped at 40 participants, with walk-up tickets available if any seats remaining).

Handcar Program 2 - 4 p.m.: Join a ranger to learn about the work and workers involved in building and maintaining the track systems for the railroad. Give the handcar a try on a short human-powered trip back and forth on the rails.

Sunday, November 1

Free Train Rides at 10:30, 11:30, 1:15 and 2:30: Hop onboard for a 30-35 minute ride through the railyard and up past the former Lackawanna Station (today's Radisson Hotel). A ranger will be onboard interpreting the experience and railroading history. Get your free tickets at the info booth near the parking lot.

Handcar Program 2 - 4 p.m.: Join a ranger to learn about the work and workers involved in building and maintaining the track systems for the railroad. Give the handcar a try on a short human-powered trip back and forth on the rails.