
Maintenance, Machines & Technology
Countless tools are necessary to keep locomotives and railroads operating smoothly. Efficient communication was essential to coordinate the movement of cargo and people. Schedules were organized, and a system of signals developed. In particular, railroads were one of the first industries to use the telegraph. Signal towers were sprinkled along the route and manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A complicated system of signals was developed as the railroads expanded. Railroads were also at the forefront of wireless radio communications.
Maintenance

Open End Wrench
Steamtown National Historic Site, STEA 509

Alligator Wrench
Steamtown National Historic Site, STEA 530

Bending Tongs
Steamtown NHS, STEA 515

Flat Chisel
Steamtown NHS, STEA 548

Socket Wrench
Steamtown NHS, STEA 895

Wheel Jack
Steamtown NHS, STEA 1602

Oil Can
Steamtown NHS, STEA 3320

Kerosene Can
Steamtown NHS, STEA 4789

Oil Cup
Steamtown NHS, STEA 896

Ratchet Socket Wrench
Steamtown National Historic Site, STEA 2680

Monkey Wrench
Steamtown NHS, STEA 3828

Wrench
Steamtown NHS, STEA 6982

Jointer Plane
Steamtown NHS, STEA 3231

Gasoline Torch
Steamtown NHS, STEA 7004

Car Knocker's Torch
Steamtown NHS, STEA 5138

Stenciling Brush
Steamtown NHS, STEA 7261

Questions and Answers on Machinery and A
Steamtown NHS, STEA 227

Examination booklet
Steamtown NHS, STEA 5444

Baldwin locomotive no. 26 restoration
National Park Service photograph

Wheel lathe presentation
National Park Service photograph

Baldwin locomotive number 26 restoration
National Park Service photograph

Ring of Fire
National Park Service photograph

Boiler Wash
National Park Service photograph

Park staff working in the Steamtown loco
National Park Service photograph

D.L.&W. Locomotive boiler
Steamtown NHS, STEA 7469. B1390
Machines in Locomotive Shop

Arbor Milling Machine
National Park Service Photograph

Pneumatic Grease Gun
National Park Service Photograph

Hydraulic Press
National Park Service photograph

Boring Mill
National Park Service photograph

Flanger
National Park Service photograph

Hydro Test Pump
National Park Service Photograph

Shaper
National Park Service Photograph

D.L.&W locomotive shop grinder
Steamtown National Historic Site, STEA 7469 Safety Misc 18

Forge Shop interior, DL&W RR
Steamtown National Historic Site, STEA 7469. B0813

Radial Arm Drill Press
National Park Service photograph

Wheel Press
National Park Service photograph
Technology

D.L.&W. Railroad accident
Steamtown NHS, STEA 280

Hospital Ward Table Car
Steamtown NHS, STEA 915

Analomink Wreck D.L.&W. R.R.
Steamtown NHS, STEA 5032

Insulator
Steamtown NHS, STEA 345

Western Union Display Rack
Steamtown NHS, STEA 976

Telegraphic Report of Train Accident For
Steamtown NHS, STEA 6004

Instruction Book
Steamtown NHS, STEA 3245

Erie Railroad Magazine
Steamtown NHS, STEA 1401

Instructional Poster
Steamtown NHS, STEA 1305

Relay
Steamtown NHS, STEA 2687

Individual Locomotives
Replacement of iron rails by larger, heavier steel rails led to the production of bigger and more powerful locomotives. Improved wheel arrangements efficiently transferred energy produced by the boiler. Rolling stock became larger and more specialized to improve transportation of goods and passengers. Light wood boxcars, passenger cars and others were replaced with steel cars.

The second half of the 20th century saw the decline of the railroad. Overbuilding, competition between railroads, and competition from the subsidized interstate highway system led to the merger of some large railroads, while others went bankrupt. The American love of the automobile has replaced the railroad as the primary mode of personal travel, and rail shipping has largely been superseded by trucking. While railroads will never again see the activity or track mileage of the early 1900s, railroading continues to be a vital part of the nation’s transportation infrastructure.
- Duration:
- 35.953 seconds
The Scranton Limited, sounds of the Baldwin 26 locomotive pulling two Central Railroad of New Jersey passenger cars full of park visitors, 2018
The yard shuttle, or "Scranton Limited," is the park's three-mile train ride.
National Park Service video

Steam Pressure Gauge
Steamtown NHS, STEA 998

Award
Steamtown NHS, STEA 2701

Locomotive Builder's Plate
Steamtown NHS, STEA 3210

Brake Wheel
Steamtown NHS, STEA 3851

Locomotive Builder's Plate
Steamtown NHS, STEA 3212

Light Locomotive Details
Steamtown NHS, STEA 7951

How a Steam Engine Works
National Park Service Photograph

"Big Boy" near Lackawanna Station
National Park Service photograph

Western Maryland Railway instruction car
Steamtown NHS, STEA 1969

Canadian Pacific Railway locomotive
National Park Service photograph

Baldwin Locomotive no.26 crossing bridge
National Park Service photograph

NY Ontario & Western Railway train
Steamtown National Historic Site, STEA 6

NY Ontario & Western Railway no.3
Steamtown National Historic Site, STEA 6

D.L &W. Railroad locomotive number 832
Steamtown National Historic Site, STEA 1389

"Cutaway" locomotive being moved
National Park Service photograph

Baldwin 26 leaving platform
National Park Service photograph

Park Ranger at Spang Chalfont boiler
National Park Service photograph

Dinner Plate
Steamtown NHS, STEA 1322

Celery Dish
Steamtown NHS, STEA 745

Deck of Cards
Steamtown NHS, STEA 4756

Commemorative Matchbook
Steamtown NHS, STEA 7475

Lehigh Valley Business Car
National Park Service photograph

Louisville & Nashville Post Office Car
National Park Service photograph

Mailbag
Steamtown NHS, STEA 2861

Louisville & Nashville Post Office Car
National Park Service photograph

Mail Hook
Steamtown NHS, STEA 3292

Date Stamp
Steamtown NHS, STEA 7093

Vangieri Railway Post Office Collection
Steamtown NHS, STEA 8146
Last updated: November 1, 2022