Just returned from vacation. Visited steamtown on way back to texas. Was really interesting to see. Course, the best thing was the big boy, but others were very interesting also. Arrived to late for any train ride tho, darn it. Maybe next time. Did see them operate the turntable. Had a good time. Even if we did travel 4700 miles on this trip. Niagara Falls, New England and back.
You mean you left already and missed the best time of the year in New England for color??? Tsk, tsk. For Northern New England it is last week of September in the mountains, 1st week of October for Lakes Region, 2nd week of October for Southern New Hampshire and northern Mass, 3rd week of October for all of Mass and northern CT, and last week of October for central to coastal CT. Glad you got to Steamtown in PA, but too bad you didn’t get to ride on any steam runs…lets do it again next year.
Glad you enjoyed Steamtown. It is an impressive place and a wealth of information on railroading. I have been there twice and will return again. While the Big Boy is certainly impressive, I wish they had an Alleghany which would be more appropriate to the Eastern US. The “best” loco in my humble opinion is the CN Mike that they use to pull excursion trains. She is one Sweet loco! I have ridden behind her twice and that smell of coal gas and oil and steam is fantastic. Come back again when you can stay and ride behind her on a fall foliage excursion. You will love it!
Sorry I couldnt stay longer in New England. Was afraid we were going to be a couple of weeks early, but did manage to see some color. Maybe next time. Also sorry I didnt get to ride any excursions, but hope to get back that area someday. Also managed to tour Bristol Motor Speedway on way home. Was really interesting also. Might manage a Nascar ticket to it if I live long enough. As hard to get as Green Bay home games LOL.
Yea, you need to devote an entire day to Steamtown to really do it justice. I was able to spend a 1/2 there a couple of years ago and enjoyed it very much. Took a ride on the CN Mike. Also got to see them put it on the turntable then bring it into the roundhouse. The engineer came out and took questions from the one lookers. My wife was asking better questions than I was. [:I] Great place. The saddest thing was seeing all the cars and locomotives just sitting on the rails rusting away. [:(]
Tom
Steamtown is a great place. I live outside of Scranton and visit often. I have a ton of pictures I should download off my camera that I took over the summer.
I am in Love with Steamtown! Been there twice, at different times of the year and there was something for me each time. Back in February, they were not running trains yet. That kind of bummed me out, but the Shops were busy as I’ve ever seen em. To see new wheel sets for the Mike ready and waiting for installation. Folks working on the boilers and such. Man! I liked walking the yard looking at the old relics. It does have to pain the folks there having stuff there in the yard and it’s just rusting away. I was there last year with my Grand Son and we rode the train. The Smells and the sounds were wonderful. He may have been a bit young, so I guess I need to take him back to double check now huh! LOL! Chris