Steamtown National Historic Site On The Pocono Main

The Pocono Main Track (former DL&W main line) is what one might call the "big show".  Stretching from Milepost 134 at Bridge 60 in Scranton to Milepost 73.75 in Portland, PA, this piece of railroad is rated for 40 MPH in spots and has grades frequently topping 1.5% (in both directions!).  Steamtown operates excursions to a variety of destinations along this route during the Summer & fall seasons.  Popular destinations include Moscow (13 miles from Scranton), Tobyhanna (25 miles), Cresco (40 miles), East Stroudsburg (53 miles) and Delaware Water Gap (60 miles) Most excursions feature Steamtown locomotives facing east into the morning and early afternoon sun as these photographs will sshow.  There are, however, a few times in which power will face the other (west) direction allowing for the rare late afternoon or evening photograph. All Photographs by Dave Crosby unless noted otherwise.

Departing Scranton Eastbound...

CN 3254 is seen passing through the old "East End Yard" near the University od Scranton in September of 2002 .

In October 2003 CP 2317 has 2 diesel helpers along for the ride on a train bound for the Delaware Water Gap.

CP 2317 wheels a 9 car train past the University of Scranton on a cold Columbus Day morning in 2002.

CP 2317 leans into a curve as it leaves the City of Scranton.  This location is just under the Harrison Avenue Bridge. Summer 1999.

The dozens of old DL&W signals still in place along the right of way add character to the line.

CN 3254 exits the East portal of the Nay Aug tunnel.  Constructed in the 1850's it is one of America's oldest.  September 2006

A rare sight is this Westbound steamtown excursion led by NKP 514 exiting the Wast End of the tunnel in October 2002.

CP 2317 exits the tunnel's East portal with a fury of smoke and steam in this summer 2003 view.

The first grade crossing after Nay Aug Tunnel is a local road named Myrtle Street.  CN 3254 is seen tackling the stiff grade here in 2001

CP 2317 has just entered Dunmore and is crossing one of several bridges over Roaring Brook in this 1998 view.

On rare occasions both of Steamtown's mainline engines will be used on heavy trains like this October 1993 run.

In another rare shot we see recreated DL&W E8's moving West over Myrtle Street during a special event in 1998.

CP 2317 brings an excursion under the Impressive Erie Railroad Jessup Branch trestle in the fall of 2002.  View is from Interstate 380.

The 3254 accelerates through Dunmore, PA and passes under Interstate Route 81 in this October 2006 shot.

CP 2317 has a short consist well in hand as she rounds a turn in Dunmore.  This shot was taken in 2003.

Viewed from the former Erie RR Jessup Branch trestle, the E8's round a curve on an early morning excursion to Moscow in 1998.

A special excursion in April 1996 afforded this vew from the trestle of R&N 425 heading into Scranton with a Westbound train.

CN 3254 is seen passing under the under the Jessup Branch trestle in this 1994 trackside view .

CN 3254 races along a tangent approaching Elmhurst and about to pass under I-84 in this October 2006 shot.

CP 2317 leads an excursion under the former Erie Wyoming Division in an area the railroad refers to as "Winton" in this 1997 view.

Passing the former location of the DL&W Elmhurst Staion, CN 3254 leans into a curve while passengers enjoy the fall colors in 2006.

Further down the track, but still in Elmhurst, the 2317 makes a fine show as it approaches the Elmhurst Reservoir in August 2003.

The large reservoir and dam at Elmhurst are one of the scenic highlights along the run as evidenced by this 1993 view.

A 2006 special excursion leaving Scranton at 8 am afforded this early morning shot atthe Elmhurst Reservoir.

Nearing Moscow, PA an excursion comes within view of PA Poute 435 in this September 2003 view.

Another view of the Elmhurst Reservoir as 2317 rolls by in 1999.

Fall colors greet Steamtown passengers as the 3254 pulls into Moscow.  This view from Oct 2006.

On a 2003 excursion to the Delaware Water Gap, the 2317 roars through Moscow as viewed from Route 435.

CN 3254 has stopped at Moscow to detrain passengers.  To the right is the classic brick DL&W passenger station in this 2005 scene.

This 2005 shot at Lehigh Road in the township of the same names proves that not all trains run in sunny weather.

Approaching Gouldsboro with a 2006 excursion bound for Tobyhanna, the CN 3254 skirts a picturesque lake on a causeway.

As seen from Lehigh Road, CP 2317 has a train bound for Tobyhanna in this tranquil scene from 2003.

Bound for the Delaware Water Gap in 2003, the 2317 is seen passing the restored station at Gouldsboro, PA.

Pulling into Tobyhanna during 2003, the 2317 lets off a little steam.

The meticulously restored wooden depot at Tobyhanna frames the classic lins of a Steamtown engine in this 2003 view.

Another wooden depot in Cresco is seen undergoing restoration as a Steamtown excursion drifts downgrade in 2006.

An impromptu photo-op created a perfect 1960's scene as NKP 514 leads an excursion through Cresco and encounters a restored Corvair.

The morning quiet on William Street is broken as a 2006 excursion rolls through East Stroudsburg.

Having completed a successful downhill run, CP 2317 passes through Gravel Place in this 2003 shot at Stokes Avenue.

With a short consist in tow, CN 3254 approaches the station in East Stroudsburg as seen from the wooden former DL&W tower there.

A 2006 excursion to the Delaware Water Gap brought out the spectators as this view in "The Gap" illustrates.

With the New Jersey side of the Delaware Water Gap in the background, 2317 slows it's train as it approaches it's destination.

Please note this page has no official association with Steamtown National Historic Site.

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