Railfest 2013 in Steamtown questions

Thanks for the heads up on this event.  Don't know yet if I can make it, but would love to especially if the R&N brings this blue beauty with them - 

I will be attending. No matter what shows up it will be a great time.

I'm not a part of the planning for this event, so don't plan a trip around the following: I do believe the CNJ 113 (a really big 0-6-0 located in Minersville, PA) has been signed to attend the event.  They were hoping for the 425, but I don't think that will be done in time.  Same is true for Steamtown's own 26, I doubt she'll be done in time.

 

The only way I will be sure of any of this is when the stuff rolls by my tower window.

 

Dave

Does everyone besides me know where "steamtown" is?

I just heard about Railfest 2013, when is it?

I might be up to Frackville PA on Aug. 4th to see an O gauge layout with Dave Cruikshank's club.

What I want to see running is the Reading Lines T-1. To me that's an impressive steam engine, and it was rebuilt into a T-1 at Reading PA.

Steamtown is in Scranton PA, nearby is the Lackawanna station, now a motel, and a shopping center.

 

Lee Fritz

phillyreading: Railfest is going to be August 31 and September 1 this year.  I've never been, but another family that's friends of ours go every year, and their son asked if we were going up this year.

 

I never get to go, and this may just be the year I start!  Plus our daughter and their daughter are great friends, so they'll have each other to talk with.

RoyBoy,

 

   Steamtown is located in the former Delaware, Lackawanna & Western yard and engine terminal in downtown Scranton, PA: www.nps.gov/stea

 

At the north end of Steamtown's parking lot is Electric City Trolley Museum (www.ectma.org) . That is worth a visit all by itself. Trolleys run through the Steamtown yard and then on their own right-of-way. They run through a 4,747-foot interurban tunnel.

 

 

Railfest is a must-attend event. We go every year. Not only is it the best time to see Steamtown due to special access, displays, events and visiting equipment... it is also the weekend of Scranton's Italian Festival which takes over downtown with food, music and nighttime fireworks.

 

Add in the best trolley ride in the US... the regional Alco-powered D-L.... the CPR D&H mainline... the excellent coal mine tour... AAA baseball... two great O gauge hobby shops... and late summer mountain weather and you have a great event.

 

Go for two days. It is the best time of year to visit Scranton.

 

Rob

Plus, if you attend, you can meet robertjohndavis!    Every year plans are made to make it the best ever.  Some years the railroads cooperate to make it mighty fine, and other years it is plain awesome.  Word on Facebook is that Reading & Northern's 4-6-2 number 425 will be attending.  This is the most current press release from the National Park Service.

 

It seems as though each day is bringing excitement and heartache on which locomotives, cars, exhibits will be brought by the railroads.  But a lot of neat activities are taking place despite the railroad "eye candy."  A bridge building activity will take place in the theater building of Steamtown's museum. A group of Civil War reenactors will participate in the event.  The Mattes Street tower will be open for a time during the weekend along with the Big Boy cab.  Yard trains, excursions to Moscow and caboose rides will take place.  

This marks the 7th annual event.  I hope you can make it there.

Wonder what Locomotive the North Shore will bring? It'would be nice to see them bring their new caboose also.

I am planning on attending for the first time and am bringing the family.  Since it will be a large event any tips on parking, traffic, etc would be appreciated.

 

Also there is to be an O gauge modular display by the anthracite hi-railers.

 

Looking forward to this event!

I have never attended. This year I want to plan on being there. Does anyone have a tip on decent lodging? I would want to attend Sat. & Sun. I am hopeful to see 425.

 

 

 

Bernie (from the CNJ 113 group) stated on RYPN, on August 10th that there were discussions about bringing CNJ #113 to Steamtown but in the end, there was still more to do before they felt ready to move the engine that distance. 

 

R&N #425 ran yesterday(!) and I had heard the engine will be at Steamtown though an unconfirmed rumor is that the engine will not operate, only be on display.  Let's hope this is not the case and if not, the rumor is dispelled.

 

Baldwin #26 will not be ready but it should be a treat to see the progress made in the last few months (as well as her new paint job).

 

The late running Moscow trips should make for some interesting photography (and an enjoyable ride).

 

Now - if we could just get them to drag or push the Big Boy past the Lackawanna Station - like the shuttle, that would be interesting!

 

/Mitch

 

 

Go over to RYPN 425 is going to Steamtown.

To answer some of the logistical questions, plan to arrive early if you want to park in the Steamtown lot.  There are 250 spaces, but they will fill up early.  The state office building lot, the Mall at Steamtown lot and parking garages are close, but require planning and a bit of a walk.  Shuttle service to Scranton's Iron Furnaces, where the Civil War encampment takes place, and La Festa Italiana at the Courthouse Square will run throughout RailFest to make it easier to get around town.  There will be some food vendors on site in the park.

Since I live in Scranton, I cannot recommend one hotel over another.  Most of the chains are represented, and most hotels are within a 5 mile drive.  RailFest books more rooms than La Festa.  

Already being set up in the Technology museum is an O Gauge layout.  I have not seen which railroad group is going to show off their trains, but in the past it was the Anthracite Hi-Railers based in Moscow, PA.

Tim: Thanks for the info.

 

 

Any word on the 425 - will it be there?  Under its own power?  What other steam engines?  Thanks.  I checked the Steamtown site and RYPN but did not see anything recent or definitive.  Thanks.  

Any update on steam engines attending the Rail fest? 425? etc.>

425 will be there (I actually think it already is). Also, I have heard that it will be running on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway in Jim Thorpe on Monday.

425 is here!  On prominent display near the wooden crosswalk in the yard.    Along with a locomotive and caboose/executive car from North Shore RR, 3 units and the Exhibit Car from Norfolk Southern, an RS3 and C420 from D-L and an SD40-s from Reading & Northern.  

Plus a few motor cars from a local NARCOA group, O Gauge trains, and an amusement park train on display.  

Enjoy enjoy!