I am sure this will be of interest to many. Wish I could make it that day... not too many chances to ride a steam train and see ice harvested at a real ice house!

Rob

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National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Steamtown National Historic Site News Release
December 20, 2004

Winter Rail Excursion along the Pocono Mainline
Annual Ice Harvesting Festival at Mill Pond #1 Slated for January 15

Scranton, PA - On Saturday, January 15, 2005, Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton Pennsylvania will conduct a steam-powered rail excursion along the scenic Pocono Mainline. The train will depart at 10:00 a.m., (boarding begins at 9:30 a.m.) arrive at the historic Village of Tobyhanna at 11:15 a.m. and return to the Steamtown Depot by approximately 2:30 p.m.

From 11:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., the Pocono Mountains Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society (NRHS) will welcome the arrival of this rare winter excursion with an open house at the renovated Tobyhanna Station. Snacks, beverages, gifts and souvenirs will be available for sale at the station gift shop; and a special model train exhibit will remain on display throughout the day. A short 1/2-mile distance from the station, the Leonard and Saxe Families of Tobyhanna will sponsor the very popular annual Ice Harvesting Festival at Mill Pond. There, a blazing bonfire and picturesque, natural surroundings will set the mood for a nostalgic journey, and visitors will experience ice harvesting as it was done a century ago.

• Free bus transportation, provided by the Lackawanna Heritage Valley
Authority (LHVA), will be available for those wishing to attend the
demonstration.

• Although the train coaches are heated, passengers are advised to
dress appropriately for winter weather conditions.

• Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages are permitted on board the train.
Due to high demand and limited seating, early reservations are
strongly recommended.

Tickets are available at $25.00/adults, $20.00/seniors and $15.00/children (ages 6-12). Children under the age of 6 will be admitted free of charge. Credit card payments may be made in person or by telephone between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., daily. All mail order reservations must be paid by credit card, check or money order and must be received prior to January 7, 2005, to ensure adequate time for delivery of tickets. Refunds will be available only in the event of cancellation or postponement due to inclement weather. In the unlikely event that the ice harvesting festival must be cancelled or postponed due to unseasonable weather conditions, the excursion will operate as scheduled.

Reservations and information are available by calling 570.340.5204 or 888.693.9391, x5204. Steamtown is open daily from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. (January 2 - April 15) and 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. (April 16 - December 31).

From I-81, follow exit 185 (Central Scranton Expressway); then, follow the signs to the main entrance at Lackawanna and Cliff Avenues.