Recently I was told that they are having Railfest Labor Day Weekend and I was wondering what would be must see/do's for a one day only visit? I live 2 hours away and my oldest niece was the one who pointed this out to me. She lives in the area and was going to ask her husband some this, figured I'd ask here to get further information. Thanks in advance.
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Only two hours away, I'd go. taking the backshop tour, and excursions they have that weekend. The museum itself all worth it.
I've been to Steamtown a couple of times over the years but I won't be going back until 3713 rebuild is complete.
There is usually quite a bit going on at the site, including visiting equipment, demonstrations and excursions. There is also the Electric City Trolley Museum across the parking lot which I am sure will be running excursions as well. Railfest coincides with La Festa Italiana, an annual downtown Italian food festival which is within walking distance from the park grounds (I believe they also run shuttles to/from). If you want to kill a day in Scranton, it's hard to beat Labor Day weekend.
Pencilled in on my calendar
I agree with the above. I think Labor Day is the best time to visit Steamtown - always lots of things going on.
Steamtown's Railfest will feature short train trips in the railroad yard behind steam engine no. 26, the Baldwin 0-6-0 throughout the day, and a diesel-led caboose train, plus a diesel trip to Moscow, PA, about 13 miles away. A new twist on Railfest for 2018 is to take the excursion to Moscow on September 1 with the F3 duo, get lunch, shoot the photo runby, and then board a bus to Lackawaxen. The Stourbridge Line Railroad then takes you to Honesdale, PA, the home of the Stourbridge Lion replica, made in the 1930s by the Delaware & Hudson Railroad. The bus then returns you to Scranton. Tickets for this train are available at www.laurellines.org On September 2, a Photo Special train, organized by Steve Barry of Railfan & Railroad Magazine, will feature a solid Central RR of New Jersey train. CNJ RS3 no. 1554 and a train of passenger coaches will run on a portion of the DL&W mainline with at least 3 photo stops on the way. More about this train at the Steamtown Facebook page.
There will be scale models of trains in HO, O, N and live steam gauge. The live steam rides are part of the event ticket, $10 per adult and $7 for children aged 6-15. Under 6 is no charge. Lego Models will be operated on site, too. You can also ride on track speeders a certain distance in the yard, with at least a half dozen operating speeder cars as part of the New Jersey Excursions Club.
Beyond the trains, there are magic shows, musicians and bands throughout the complex, Photographic exhibits, art exhibits, steam engine modules on demonstration from the National Museum of Industrial History (Bethlehem, PA) and some others.
In the locomotive shop, if you would like to see a machine in operation, the mechanics/machinists can show you how they work.
Parts of the Boston & Maine 4-6-2 no. 3713 restoration will be on display, along with the restoration progress of NYO&W 44-tonner no. 105. Nickel Plate GP9 no. 514 should also make for a display if she isn't running by that date.
I think this is it. Of course, words don't do the event justice. If you can make it, definitely stop by.
Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:Recently I was told that they are having Railfest Labor Day Weekend and I was wondering what would be must see/do's for a one day only visit? I live 2 hours away and my oldest niece was the one who pointed this out to me. She lives in the area and was going to ask her husband some this, figured I'd ask here to get further information. Thanks in advance.
One thing is to get there early and book a trip. The tickets go FAST!
My niece sent me this link(her husband found out about it). It was actually posted(back in June) on by the National Parks Service and gives a bit of information as to what all you can drink in as it were.
I think ELDCPS is offering the opportunity to have lunch in a (stationary) Diner car Sat/Sun as well. Track repairs are complete on the main and also the trolley line from recent storm damage so all excursions are good to go. New cab for 3713 will be on display, lots to see and do.
I had a blast this weekend. Everything was amazing. There's me standing in front of Reading's T1 #2124 and a short video of Baldwin #26.
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