Steamtown National Historic Site, Scranton, PA

The Steamtown National Historical Site keeps the train alive with rides on the old steam engine trains and many activities for every age. The season begins sometime in May and continues through to sometime in December. The Scranton Limited takes guests on short rides Wednesday through Sundays. Some lucky guests may get to take a ride in the locomotive's cab. This extra special treat is available on a first come basis. Phone reservations are necessary as train excursions cannot be booked on line. Sometimes there are seats available for walk- ups. Reservations for the limited handicapped areas of the train are also available on a first come first served basis.

The Steamtown National Historic Site has trains that are involved in special events such as the Lackawanna Railfest and the Pumpkin Express in October. Children under sixteen must be accompanied by an adult at all times when visiting the historic site. One of the steams trains was built in 1923 and takes passengers and crew through the northern Pennsylvania countryside. There are guided tours seven days a week with varying times. It is best to call for information about when the excursions leave the station.

There is a working roundhouse on the property so that the steam engines can be kept in optimal condition. They must be maintained daily with grease and oil plus an inspection. The turntable that is on the premises turns the engines so that they go to the proper area for maintenance. The forty acres that make up the park are open to the public. Picnic tables and areas to relax outside of the museum are available. Walking tours may be part of the day's festivities. Children can become Junior Rangers when they visit the site and there are other programs for younger children as well.

The museum that is at Steamtown talks about what life was like for the workers of the railroad. The "fireman'' was in charge of shoveling coal into the firebox. They were known to shovel up to 200 pounds in a minute; this is one of the reasons that an automated shoveler was invented. The museum tells the stories of the Pullman Porters that organized the first union that allowed African American members.

The Steamtown National Historic Site has two different types of admission. The first one is the Park Fee and anyone seventeen or older must pay six dollars. This fee allows visitors access to the grounds, the History Museum, Theater, railroad yard, Technology Museum, and Roundhouse. If a visitor wishes to ride the Scranton Limited there is a charge of three dollars per person for anyone six or older.

Visitors to the Steamtown National Historic Site can find three hotels within walking distance. There are also campgrounds for RV's and trailer. People are advised to check with the Lackawanna County Convention & Visitors Bureau. Since the park is located in downtown Scranton there are many restaurants available close to the park. There are no food concessions within the park itself. The weather can be warm and humid in the summer and rainy, snowy and cold in the winter.?