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Trains News Wire EXCLUSIVE: New Steamtown superintendent looks at improving site, reviving steam
Suggest changing name to National Steam Town. The nice Green 0-6-0 in the shop at Steamtown looks nearly complete, but not a passenger locomotive…I know the B&M. Is next and is more suited for hauling 4 heavyweight pass cars up grades alone. The Canadian Tank engine sitting outside is a disgrace. This could be a awesome worker there or a centerpiece. It’s very Unique… Steamtown needs a real passenger Locomotive running. Hope to be back soon. Was Just there.
I hope this leads to a new beginning at Steamtown. Partnerships with historical societies, the Reading and Northern, and local and state tourism boards could go a long way.
Well, I’m not so sure the headline reflects what the new director actually said in her reply…hers was a wise and pretty open, political response…but at least there might be some improved chances of getting Steamtown back on track steam-wise and in other aspects.
However, unless Ms. Conway has tight ties to the NPS and the local Congressional rep, there’s slim chances of the present Congress opening its miserly purse strings for such very costly “fripperies” as steam locomotive(s) repair(s) and constant upkeep. Time will tell, won’t it?
The key for Steamtown is partnerships. Partnerships with steam locomotive owners/operators without a place to run their engines. Partnerships with the Big 7 railroads, and a partnership with the community around it without which it may just wind up being a boondoggle on a larger scale.
US National Arboretum has over 500,000 visitors annually and is open Friday thru Monday.
I hope that Ms. Conway can improve Steamtown. Otherwise, it will become Dieseltown. If this happens, then this will become Notown.
I wish there was train service to Scranton. What happened to NJT and NE PA working on reviving the Andover - Scranton run?
Much more working steam, more operation, more restoration, more partnering with railfan, restoration and community organizations… Steamtown could readily become the hub of the railroad hobby in the US northeast. It doesn’t necessarily take public money, IF the partnering is genuine.