SCRANTON, Pa. – Steamtown National Historic Site invites the public to Railfest 2025 from Friday, August 29 through Sunday, August 31. The park opens at 9 a.m. daily with opening ceremonies Friday at 10:30 a.m., and Saturday and Sunday at 9:00 a.m. This year’s celebration highlights the 100th anniversary of the rare Grand Trunk Western No. 6039 steam locomotive, the 30th anniversary of Steamtown’s public grand opening, and nearly 40 years of preserving America’s steam railroading heritage.
Admission to the park and most Railfest activities are free of charge. Train ride tickets are available for purchase inside the park, with a limited number of advance tickets available now at
https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/facility/10088803.
For complete information and schedules and to check on any updates, please visit www.nps.gov/steamtown.
Highlights of Railfest 2025 include:
Train Rides:
• Friday, August 29
o Yard Shuttles: Each ride lasts about 30 minutes. Departure times: 11:30 a.m., 1:15 p.m., 2:30 p.m. & 3:45 p.m.
o Caboose Hops: Rides last 10 to 15 minutes and run 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. with “load and go” service.
• Saturday, August 30
o Yard Shuttles: 30 minutes each. Departure times: 10 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:15 p.m., 2:30 p.m. & 3:45 p.m.
o Caboose Hops: 10–15 minutes, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
• Sunday, August 31
o Yard Shuttles: Powered by Baldwin No. 26 steam engine, 30 minutes each. Departure times: 10 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. & 3:45 p.m.
o Caboose Hops: Diesel-powered, 10–15 minutes, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. & 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
Special Attractions and Equipment:
• Maintenance-of-Way Rides: Visitors can ride NJ Track Cars (speeders used for railroad maintenance) and a hand-powered pump car throughout the weekend.
• Visiting Rail Equipment: Equipment from the Delaware-Lackawanna Railroad, Norfolk Southern and others will be on display.
• WWII Stuart Tank: Presented by the Iron Horse Society and the Stuart Tank Memorial Association, offering rides by donation to raise funds for the park’s Troop Sleeper restoration project.
• National Museum of Industrial History (NMIH): Come meet TUG, a 25,000-pound gas-powered locomotive dressed up as a fun character, plus check out a 15-inch gauge track and gas-powered locomotive running demonstrations all weekend.
Programs and Activities:
• Opening Ceremonies: Opening ceremony at 10:30 a.m. on Friday in the core complex. The Black Diamond Pipe Band will help get the event started, followed by the University of Scranton color guard, the National Anthem, a welcome from the Superintendent, and the announcement of our special honorary Railfest Conductor. Shorter opening ceremonies will take place on Saturday and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and will feature the Baldwin No. 26 steam locomotive exiting the roundhouse and taking turns on the turntable.
• Locomotive Shop Demos: Ongoing throughout the event, featuring hands-on demonstrations of railcar maintenance and preservation techniques.
• Junior Ranger Program: Kids can try out our new Junior Ranger booklet or pick up a Railfest activity sheet at the NPS tent near the main gates. Complete either and earn a Junior Ranger badge. Swearing-in ceremonies with the superintendent at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. (4:45 p.m. on Friday) near the Grand Trunk Western No. 6039 locomotive. Or rangers are available to swear in new junior rangers at the main gate tent anytime.
• Walking Tours: Tours of the historic Mattes Street signal tower are offered Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m., weather permitting. ½ mile walk. Meet at the Visitor Center.
• Photography Walking Tour and Workshop: Visitors can learn techniques for photographing locomotives and tour Renaissance Park to capture images of the Scranton Limited on Saturday and Sunday at 10:45 a.m., weather permitting. ½ mile walk.
• Living History: Phoebe Snow will be roaming the park with meet-and-greet chances. A living historian portraying a Scranton teacher will ride and roam the Scranton Limited on Friday at 11:30 a.m., and Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
• Amtrak K-9 Demonstrations at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday.
Steamtown at 30: Looking Back, Looking Forward Panel Discussion:
Steamtown National Historic Site will mark its 30th anniversary with a special moderated panel discussion on Friday, August 29, 2025, from 3:00–4:30 p.m. inside the Steamtown Visitor Center. Moderated by Steamtown’s Superintendent, the program will feature historians, railroad professionals, former park staff, and community partners reflecting on Steamtown’s three decades of rail preservation and interpretation while exploring opportunities for the future. All are invited to join the conversation and be part of envisioning Steamtown’s next 30 years as both a community anchor and a national model for rail heritage.
Musical Performances:
• Don Shappelle and the Pickups: Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., near Track 12.
• The Ron Leas Big Band: Sunday from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., performing 1940s and WWII-era music that celebrates Steamtown’s history and the golden age of rail travel.
• Folk musician Spook Handy: Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., performing train-themed folk and blues songs that bring storytelling and history to life.
Temporary Exhibits & Activities:
• Silkscreen print of Grand Trunk Western No. 6039 by local artist Mark Ciocca at the Visitor Center.
• “30 Year Rewind” exhibit at the Technology Museum, celebrating Steamtown’s 1995 grand opening with historic artifacts and photos.
• “Timeless Treasures” pop-up exhibit on railroad artifact conservation, plus a family-friendly “Make Your Own Pocket Watch” activity at the Technology Museum. Open Friday afternoon through Sunday.
Additional Information:
• Food: Ice cream trucks will be located in the county parking lot adjacent to Steamtown. For more food choices, visitors can take the free COLTS shuttle to La Festa Italiana, an Italian food festival at Doherty Park, or visit the Iron Horse Society’s snack booth offering chips, cookies, water, soda, and more.
• Pedestrian Access: For this weekend only, pedestrian access to Steamtown will be via Lackawanna Avenue near the Lackawanna County Transit Center. Access is also available through the Marketplace at Steamtown Mall Bridge walkway from 10 am -5 p.m. Friday & Saturday, and 11 a.m.-5 p.m on Sunday.
• Shuttle Service: A free COLTS shuttle bus will run approximately every 20 minutes, connecting Steamtown NHS (Railfest), Marketplace at Steamtown, and La Festa Italiana at Doherty Park (Wyoming & Linden). Visitors can also walk between the park and Marketplace via the Mall Bridge walkway.
• Weather: Railfest runs rain or shine. Severe weather may affect some rail operations and train rides.
http://www.nps.gov/steamtown
Also check out other Entertainment events in Scranton, Music events in Scranton.
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