Steamtown National Historic Site "In the Yard"

With all the activity that takes place on the mainline, its easy to overlook the many photographic opportunities within the Steamtown yard itself.  Static displays and historic buildings can be used as an effective setting while photographing Steamtown's operationg equipment.  The historic Roundhouse and turntable are the centerpiece of the Steamtown yard and are not to be missed, especially in the early morning and late afternoon when motive power enters & exits the roundhouse and uses the turntable.  Frequent short excursions within the City of Scranton provide a chance to see Steamtown's historic steam and diesel locomotives in action on many days when the excursion trains are not scheduled. All Photographs by Dave Crosby unless noted otherwise.

On a summer day in 1997 the 26 poses on the turntable in the afternoon sun after a day's work.

CN 3254 is seen leaving the roundhouse complex and releases a torrent of steam while doing so.

CN 3254 has exited the roundhouse and is moving on to a day's work in this shot from 2006.

CP 2317 passes by the Mattes Street Tower at the east end of the Steamtown Yard with an excursion train in 2003.

The elevated walkways of the newer museum buildings provide many vantage points from which to capture photographs.

In December of 1999 the setting sun finds Baldwin 26 making up an excursion train for the following day.

NKP 514 passes by Mattes Street tower heading Westbound in 1999. This shot is rare as Steamtown locomotives usually face East.

Steamtown's NKP GP-9 handles yard chores on some weekdays and is seen here passing over "Bridge 60" in 2007.

Bridge 60 is an impressive span at the West end of the Steamtown facility.  514 is seen giving caboose rides here in 2004.

Many of Steamtown's short train rides pass by the restored DL&W station, seen behind the train in this 1994 photo.

A restored cut of freight cars provides the perfect backdrop for the CN 3254 in this summer 2002 view.

In a view from 1993, CN 3254 is seen resting in the yard before begining work for the day.

Prior to being repainted in 1998, the 514 was adorned with faux DL&W  lettering that was applied in 1986.  Here we see the "old" 514 with CN 3254 in 1996.

Occasionally a locomotive from the DL Railroad will make its way into the Steamtown facility for display, such as former DL&W 426 seen here in 2001.

In 1995 and 1996 the R&N 425 was often used on Steamtown excursion trains.  Here the 425 is seen returning with an excusion.

In The Roundhouse...

The restored original 13 stalls from 1937 allow mechanics and train crews to inspect and prepare their locomotives in much the same fashion as during the days of steam.  During the restoration, walkways were installed so that visitors can view this process in an historically "off limits" environment.

Preparing R&N 425 for an excursion in 1995.

The R&N 425 builds steam in the roundhouse in the spring of 1996.

Four engines pose for a night photo session in 1995.

Here we see CP 2317 and Baldwin 26 poised for another day's work.

Invited Guests...

From time to time Steamtown will host a guest locomotive, car or even a whole train.  Most equipment only visits for a few days or weeks, however some pieces of equipment like Reading and Northern 425 or Milwaukee Road 261 have made extended visits to Scranton.

Striking a classic pose, the 425 has a former MKT business car in tow on an summer afternoon in 1995.

R&N 425 is seen at Moscow during an April 1996 excursion.

In April 1996 the R&N 425 is seen at the head of a Steamtown excursion train about to depart Scranton.

The crew of the 425 is ready to call it a day after working an excursion during the summer of 1995.

Passing by Bridge 60 Tower in 1996.

The 425 is viewed from an overhead trestle on an excursion in 1996.

The Milwaukee Road 261 departs the roundhouse during the summer of 1995.

Former NYC E9 4068 on display at Steamtown in 1995.

In 1999 the "John Bull" from the Railroad Museum of PA stopped at Scranton for "RailExpo".

Recreated DL&W E8's from Syracuse, NY were frequent visitors to Steamtown in the late 1990's

Two E8's hustle an excursion train upgrade through Dunmore, PA in 1998.

DL&W 808 looks at home with Steamtown's former Lackawanna passenger equipment in this 1998 view

Privately owned former PRR E8's called at Steamtown in the fall of 2007, seen here ready to depart for Binghamton, NY.

The E8's pass over Bridge 60 on their way out of Scranton.

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

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