In August of 2004 we took out 10-year-old grandson to Scranton PA to spend a weekend at Steamtown National Historic Site.
For a look at the original Steamtown in NH back in the 1960's, click here.
Entering the parking lot one is soon amid quite an array of old steam locomotives, including this UP #4012 4-8-8-4 "Big Boy".
Rahway Valley #15, a 2-8-0 built by Baldwin in June 1916, serial #43529
Reading #2124, a 4-8-4 built by Baldwin in Jan 1947
4-8-2 Grand Trunk #6039, another Baldwin locomotive, #58463, built Jun 1925
One doesn't have to weait long to hear and smell a steam locomotive. Canadian National #3254, a 2-8-2 Mikado, ferries passengers back and forth on a short stretch of track. She was built by the Canadian Locomotive Works in 1917 with serial number 1497.
Back and forth she goes.
Across the middle of the area is an elevated walkway that provides improved viewing of action on the main line as well as equipment on display
Maine Central #519, a 2-8-0 Consolidation. Built by Alco in Feb 1913 with serial #52991.
Here's a neat little 0-6-0T switcher. It's an Alco product, #67536 built in August 1927. It was originally out-shopped for the Poland Spring Company of Maine, but it's not clear if it ever made to Maine. At some point in the next 20 years it was sold to the E. J. Lavino Steel Company in Sheridan, PA. It was donated to the original Steamtown in 1966.
Here's an overview of some of the historic equipment at Steamtown. It's really a shame that more of it can't be stored inside or at least under a roof to protect it from the ravages of time and weather.
Claremont & Concord #60, a snowplow built by the Boston & Maine before 1910.
CN 4-6-4T #47, Montreal Locomotive Works, September 1914. #54896. This was the only Baltic tank locomotive in the United States.
It's not all steam here - there's a short stretch of electric right-of-way over which Philadelphia Suburban Transit #76 runs.
Steamtown is located alongside the Canadian Pacific (ex-Delaware & Hudson) tracks through Scranton, so one gets to see some mainline railroading. Here are six locomotives, led by #5667-5993-6055 and three others.
Some leased locos on the CP - #645-804-unk.
It's wise to buy your tickets well in advance of your visit, especially if you want to ride behind steam. And even at that, there's no guarantee - as happened with us. We had to settle for a shortened ride behind this former Nickel Plate GP-9, #514.
Our ride went out to Oliphant, PA, where we had an hour or two to explore the little town before heading back to Scranton.
#3245 has completed its day's ferrying duties and is backing into the open center of the roundhouse.
She's about ready to be turned toward her stall for the night.
Farewell until morning.
Delaware, Lackawanna & Western #426. She's an EMD model SC switcher, #517, built in Feb 1935.
As the day ends, #514 is back in the house for the night. Beyond the tender of Boston & Maine #3713 is just barely visible.