Explore the Roundhouse

Visitor exploring the Roundhouse and learning about trains

NPS Photo

Steamtown National Historic Site offers world-class museum facilities which tell the story of steam railroading; both the nuts and bolts side and the personal side.

When the park was under development, the National Park Service decided to use the existing portions of the Roundhouse (dating from 1902, 1917, and 1937) as a part of the Museum Complex, while adding a Visitor Center, Theater, Technology Museum, and History Museum.

The Roundhouse has been adaptively rehabilitated to allow Steamtown's mechanics to care for the locomotives with light-duty maintenance and repairs.

The combination of a working railroad yard and a world-class railroad museum gives visitors a chance to do more than just step back in time. Visitors to Steamtown can step back in time with an understanding that is unique in America.

Details

Duration

10-60 Minutes

Activity

Museum Exhibits

Self-guided tour through the Roundhouse which traverses across an elevated platform. Visitors will have the chance to read wayside exhibits and view trains stationed indoors and on display.

Pets Allowed

No

Pets are limited to the parking lot and the grassy area outside of the Theater Building. Please pick up after your pet and properly dispose of waste.

Service Animals are permitted in all public buildings, railroad cars and locomotives and are not subject to the park’s pet policies and, when accompanying an individual with a disability, they are allowed wherever visitors are allowed. A service animal means any dog or miniature horse that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual or other mental disability.”

Please do not leave your pet unattended in a vehicle or tethered outside.

For more information, visit the National Park Service Service Animals page or call Steamtown at [phone].

Activity Fee

No

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

Reservations

No

Season

Year Round

During Spring, Summer, and early Fall the park is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. which includes museum buildings, outdoor exhibit areas, and parking lot. During severe weather events, the hours of operation may be impacted.

During Winter, the park is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. which includes museum buildings, outdoor exhibit areas, and parking lot. During severe weather events, the hours of operation may be impacted.

Note: The park is closed on the following federally observed holidays: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

For updated information, please call [phone]. Please plan accordingly.

Time of Day

Day

During Spring, Summer, and early Fall the park is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. which includes museum buildings, outdoor exhibit areas, and parking lot. During severe weather events, the hours of operation may be impacted.

During Winter, the park is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. which includes museum buildings, outdoor exhibit areas, and parking lot. During severe weather events, the hours of operation may be impacted.

Note: The park is closed on the following federally observed holidays: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

For updated information, please call [phone]. Please plan accordingly.

Accessibility Information

Steamtown National Historic Site is accessible, with the exception of some historic locomotives and railroad cars. IMPORTANT NOTE: Some train rides/excursions are NOT accessible. Please explain your accessibility needs before purchasing train ride tickets. We are working to correct accessibility deficiencies to ensure an enjoyable experience for all of our visitors.

• Public use elevators are located in the History and Technology Museums; the Roundhouse are accessible via ramps. Note: the Visitor Center and Theater buildings are currently closed due to HVAC issues.

• There are 2 standard wheelchairs available for individuals who may have difficulty walking the museum complex areas; motorized wheelchairs are not available. The wheelchairs may be signed-out on a first-come, first-served basis (no reservations), upon request at the Tickets & Information Kiosk. Wheelchairs may not be removed from the Museum Complex property.
• Designated accesible parking in the main parking lot is available.

For Visitors with Hearing Impairments

• Open captions are available on all park films including "Steel and Steam" showing on the third floor of the History Museum. This video presentation is accessible by elevator or stairs.
• Ubi-Duo technology for communcating with visitors who are deaf. Each of these machines allow two-way, typed conversation for immediate viewing by both parties. One is available at the Tickets & Information Kiosk.
• American Sign Language interpretation is available by request. Please phone [phone] at least 14 days prior to your visit to make arrangements.

For Visitors with Visual Impairments

• There is a web and mobile app version of our park brochure with audio description.
• We have many tactile exhibits that can be experienced as well as audio with our videos, although not fully audio described yet. Our park brochure is available in Braille for pick up at the Tickets & Information Kiosk. With advance notice, a ranger tour can be given with audio description. Please phone [phone] at least 14 days prior to your visit to make arrangements.