Electric operation at Steamtown in Scranton, PA. Looks like a model in this photo:

http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo ... ydate%3A21

I think that was on Sat, Dec 4, when they were running a Santa Trolley during the day. That minivan may have been Santa's "office," since I've never seen it in that spot before. It detracts from the photo, if you ask me. Many better locations on the trolley line, too. The photographer shouldn't just take shots from the mall bridge. Anyone can do that. The line is very scenic, if you just go for a little walk.

Tim,

I haven't been up to ride the trolley since it was extended past the tunnel's south end, but your message is a good one for all to read. The Laurel Line/Erie ROW the trolleys roll on is one spectacular piece of electric railroading.

Did they get all the damage fixed from the summer storms?

Rob

To Rob and all:
The last day of activity(Dec 11), the trolley ran the full length to the Visitor Center in Moosic. The damage is "fixed" for now, but not back to what it was. All those brand new ties and rails are still in place, but the ballast has essentially washed away. Track is now rough to ride on, according to one of the freight engineers, who works this end of the Delaware-Lackawanna RR pretty regularly. I think improvements are coming, but getting the line back open was more important.
Another extension is on the way, with about 1.2 million to lay new track to bypass the Visitor Center, and head to the Lackawanna County Stadium. I believe 2006 is the year expected for this to be complete. This will be "Virgin" territory, since no railroad took on this steep climb before, for any purpose. It will add another 1/2 mile or so to the route.

I thought I read that the stadium people had blocked the expansion, complaining about the loss of parking spaces it would cause.

SO

The ex-L&WV follows Stafford Meadow Brook South of the Tunnel to "Virginia," where the current line climbs up to the ex-Erie. The storm caused the stream to flood, washing out a culvert just past the tunnel among other things. In addition, a retaining wall dating to the tunnel construction began to fail.

The culvert and the retaining wall have been repaired, and the line is now usable to the Visitors' Centre in Moosic.

Hi,SO:

You did read that, along with a quote that "We don't want a Circus train detracting from the stadium." However, the award from the state is dedicated funding, and the line has to go in if the money is to be spent. There may still be squabbles, but the trolley will go on the left field end, where stone is usually stored. Nothing happens there, and there won't be many spaces there to lose.