Steamtown is having their annual Railfest Labor Day weekend and Scranton is having the Italian Festival to go right along with it. My brother and I attended both last year with my oldest niece and her family and plan on doing so again. I am hoping one of my younger nieces will be able to make it as she is interested but college courses may get in the way.
For details they have it listed on their Facebook page which I believe is Saturday through Sunday 9-5 both days IIRC.
Here is some more information from their Facebook page in greater detail than what I posted above.
The 13th edition of Railfest is a celebration of railroading and industrial machinery, plus music and food to fill our your family enjoyment. Taking place on Labor Day Weekend, we also combine our event with La Festa Italiana on the Lackawanna County courthouse square a few blocks away. Model trains, toy trains, live steamers, track speeders, photographs, artwork and the real trains are all part of what we have to offer.
During the opening ceremony of Railfest, the Lackawanna Historical Society announces the recipient of the Alan Sweeney Award.
Railroad trips in the Steamtown yard, short distance excursions and photo opportunities are all part of celebrating the end of Summer and the importance of railroading.
Prices for this event are $10.00 for the day for adults and $7.00 for the day for children aged 6-15. Children ages 5 and under are not charged. You could also save money but purchasing a two-day pass for $15.00 adults and $10.00 children. This is an event fee, not an entrance fee. America the Beautiful Annual, Senior, Military and Access passes will not waive this cost. Details and schedules will be added as they are available.
Saturday:Here is a quick schedule for Saturday of Railfest. Times may still change.
Busses for the Railfest Flyer board at 9:30, depart at 10. This is the combined Wayne County Historical Society/Stourbridge Line/Steamtown trip. Tickets for this train include the ticket price for Sunday's Railfest.
10:00 Opening Festivities in the turntable complex, featuring Baldwin no. 26 and Nickel Plate Road no. 759.
Tour the Lehigh Valley 353 from 10:30-12 noon.
Walking tour of the Mattes St. Tower at 11:00, 1:00 and 3:30.
Amtrak K9 security talk and demonstration at 11:00 and 1:00.
Trolley excursions to the Trolley Works at 11:00, 12:30, 2:00 and 3:30.
Operation Lifesaver program at 11:15 and 2:15.
Talk on the ALCO Locomotives and the 50th anniversary of their leaving the business by Larry Malski at 11:30 and 3:15.
Tunrtable demonstrations with the New Jersey Track Car Excursions at 12:00
Ridin' the Rails musical performance at 12:30 and 2:30.
Ring of Fire demonstration at 1:00 and 2:00.
Mike Waskovich musical performance at 1:00 and 4:00.
Boarding for Moscow excursion at 1:00; departure at 1:30.
Fun with Magic with Steve the Conductor at 1:15 and 3:15.
Erie Lackawanna caboose opens at 1:45.
Walking tour of the Office and Storage building at 3:00.
Ash dumping and turntable demonstration at 4:00
Night photo shoot beginning at 5:00 through 9:00.
Sunday:Here is a preliminary (still changing) list of Sunday's Railfest activities.
Trolley trips will run at 9:30, 11:00, 12:30, 2:00 and 3:30
Tour business car no. 353 from 9:30-11:30. Afterwards, she will be on the excursion.
Walking tours to the Mattes St. Tower at 10:00 and 1:00.
Erie Lackawanna Caboose opens at 10:00.
Ring of Fire demonstration at 11:00,1:15 and 3:30.
Spike driving demonstration at 11:00 and 3:00.
Ridin' The Rails musical performance at 11:00 and 2:00.
Walking tour of the Office & Storage Building, 11:30 and 3:00.
Mike Waskovich musical performance at 12:00 and 3:00.
Excursion to Moscow departs at 12:30.
Track Speeder program at the turntable at 12:30
Hi-Rail demonstration at 1:00.
50th anniversary of ALCO ceasing locomotive construction, talk by Dom Keating at 1:30.
Operation Lifesaver talk at 2:00.
Ash dumping demonstration and turntable program at 4;00.
Excursions to Moscow:Come to Railfest, the biggest annual railroad themed fair in the US, and take a ride through the countryside. The last several years have featured different types of diesel electric locomotives, from the Reading FP7s in 2010 through the Delaware Lackawanna's C420 in 2017. We are expecting the locomotive for 2019 to be the return engagement of our GP9 no. 514.The Photo Runby at the staion is the highlight of the trip. Bring your camera, however you use it, to record this train.
This train has a longer layover than regular Steamtown visits. When the photo stop is completed, enjoy yourself by taking in the fresh air, or enjoy a cold drink, maybe a bag of cookies while awaiting the "all aboard" from the conductor. You might also want to wathc the run-around procedure take place at the station.
Ticket prices for this excursion, approximately 26 miles round trip:
$24.00 for adults aged 16-61
$22.00 for seniors, aged 62 and up
$17.00 for children aged 6-15
No charge for children who are 5 and under, but let us know they are riding, so they get a ticket.
This fare is for the excursion to Moscow only, and does not include the Event Fee to Railfest. Make a day of it for just a few dollars more. The Event Fee is $10 for adults and $7 for children aged 6-15.
Also Monday some stuff:The Summer is winding down, and this holiday Monday gives you a chance to relax before the "back to school/back to work" mood hits you. This steam powered train runs a 3-mile 30 minute trip through the historic railroad yard of the Delaware Lackawanna & Western RR. We pass several of the structures needed to keep a railroad running.
Tickets are available for sale beginning at 9:00 on September 2. Trains depart from the turntable plaza at 10:30, 11:30, 1:15 and 2:15. Cost is $5.00 per passenger aged 6 and up. Children aged 5 and under ride at no cost. You can ride more than once, as the tickets do not specify times.
This train is handicap accessible. If you need assistance, consult members of the train crew. when boarding. All passengers are encouraged to arrive in plenty of time to board.
Their Facebook page if anyone is interested in taking a peak.
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