Looking for an adventure that blends exploration, history, and nostalgia? A visit to Steamtown National Historic Site is just the ticket. It's located on nearly 63 acres in downtown Scranton, where the old Scranton yards of the Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad used to be.
A Journey Through History
This working museum is made up of multiple buildings built between 1899 and 1932. Inside, you’ll find over 20 locomotives and other vintage artifacts, including diesel engines, passenger cars, and cabooses. It’s a fantastic way to learn about the golden era of rail travel and the role it played in the nation’s history. Best of all? You can even enjoy a train ride.
The Locomotive Legacy
As a railroad museum and functioning railyard, the Steamtown National Historic Site showcases an amazing array of steam engine locomotives that fueled America’s Industrial Revolution. It also includes a few diesel engines, which are the models that made the steam locomotives obsolete.
Explore the Roundhouse
One of the site’s perennial favorites is the restored 1902 roundhouse. Largely extinct today, these turn-of-the-century buildings featured a circular or semicircular shape so that steam locomotives (which were designed to run in one direction) could be brought in for repairs and storage. Inside, it houses an impressive collection of steam engines and exhibits.
Turntable Tales
In the center of the roundhouse is another historic artifact: the turntable. A rotating device that provides access to the roundhouse so that locomotive repairs can be made, the turntable also functions as a way for steam locomotives to turn around, because they can not run in reverse.
Big Boy No. 4012
Another thrilling experience? Climbing aboard one of the biggest steam trains ever built: the restored Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4012. Weighing in at 1.2 million pounds and boasting 6,200 horsepower, these gigantic locomotives did the work of three smaller engines and pulled trains over and around mountains.
Notably, Big Boy No. 4012 is one of only 25 articulated steam locomotives built solely for the Union Pacific Railroad by the American Locomotive Works in the early 1940s. Even more impressive, it’s one of only seven remaining Big Boys on public display around the country.
Interactive Exhibits
There are interactive exhibits as well. You can climb aboard some of the trains and see the controls, ring the bell, and meander through an old business class car, a caboose, and a box car. Interestingly, you can also climb aboard a mail car, which postal workers used to carry mail throughout the country in the early 20th century.
Behind the Scenes
If you’ve ever wondered how a steam engine works, you can see it up close and personal, thanks to a cutaway locomotive on display. The only exhibit of its kind in the country, it features the body of a 74-year-old steam locomotive with windows cut into its body, which allows guests to see its major components, including valves, the boiler, and the smokestack.
Take a Train Ride
You can ride the trains during the 2025 season at Steamtown National Historic Site! Short train rides—such as the Scranton Limited—are available on Saturdays and Sundays in May 2025, and on Fridays through Sundays in June and July 2025. Tickets for these short rides must be purchased on-site at the Information Kiosk on the day of your visit. They are not available in advance.
Looking for something more unique? Don’t miss special 2025 excursions like the Father's Day Excursion in June, the Ice Cream Express in August, and the North Pole Limited in December, hosted by the Iron Horse Society—a nonprofit dedicated to railroad heritage and preservation at Steamtown. Tickets for these themed excursions are sold separately and must be purchased directly through the Iron Horse Society.
Please note: All train rides are subject to cancellation due to weather or mechanical issues. While park entry is free, fees apply for all train rides.
Extend Your Adventure
After you’ve explored the Steamtown National Historic Site, be sure to stop by the Electric City Trolley Museum. Located next door, it features old trolley cars and memorabilia, a children's play area, and the opportunity for a leisurely trolley ride.
