On the final leg of the vacation tour of America, and my last museum stop for this year, in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Today was the day of the Christmas Parade, and the police had blocked off every conventional route into the National Park. Honestly, I was a good half hour trying to find my way in. At one point, I got stuck behind Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, who were waving to the children. I rolled down my windows and waved too!

Steamtown has come a long way in the past year, and while some board members don't like the way it's funded, and others just don't like anything they are not in charge of, I found it to be meeting the needs of plenty of people, across a wide age range.

Today, 3254 was paddling around the yard, setting up a train, loading passengers and putting on a nice show.







Yes, several other Canadian and US locomotive remain outdoors. I'd love to see 4-6-4T #47 torn down and repaired for service, with new documents on file.

In the shops and roundhouse I found most of the big locomotives. IC 790 is the best painted, really looking well done, while NKP 759 looks like she's just come in off the road. Several other locomotives were in the process of disassembly. B&M 3713 is pictured here, stranded in mid-repair on this Saturday. A stack of brochures invite guests to contribute funds.



I had hoped to run into the group repairing DL&W 565, but they were not on site while I was present. That being said, the efforts of this group are so commendable, with the proof of their efforts really in evidence.



Remember when there was all that bally-hoo about preserving original pieces of the Pennsy K4s, even though some people argued that auctioning those old pieces could raise needed cash? Out back of the shops, those replaced parts are stacked in the scrap metal, to be discarded.


Lastly, the pinpoints of this extended trip have been the surviving U.P. Big Boys, scattered around the country. With 4012, this trip has included all but the 4017, in Green Bay. I hate the fact that most are stored outdoors, and Steamtown's 4012 shows severe rust damage, but overall, the thick coats of paint which shroud her seem to shrug off the weather. Each of the displayed Big Boys has issues, some concerning missing parts, some concerning corrosion or placement. Of all of the 4000's, 4012 seems most destined to remain a static exhibit, and never to feel fire again. Still, visitors to Steamtown seem to gather at the big locomotives side, and just stare in awe.

Given the demonstrated kleptomania of a certain class of rail enthusiasts determined to "preserve" by/for themselves what they certainly can't entrust a railroad or museum to, I'm startled that some "collector" hasn't yet absconded with this piece for his basement/backyard/shed "museum".......

Excellent post and photos, Mr. Glueck! Did you get a good look at the ongoing track work while you were there?

Kinda sad that your adventure is coming to an end. Many many thanks for sharing your photos and reports! So where are ya gonna go next year???

Dick, thanks very much for sharing your most excellent adventure with us all...

Paul.

The track work and tie replacement is obvious, and I picked up on it immediately. Obviously, somebody in management has made an effort to distribute the available funds to where they are most needed.

I take it the reference to "liberated" pats being "preserved by a certain class of railfan" refers to an individual who was recently banned from the restoration of DL&W 565? I've yet to learn what that was all about. In my opinion, other restorations, park locomotive guardians, and museums should be made aware of those responsible. "If you lay down with dogs, expect to get up with fleas".

May I list a few suggestions for the Steamtown collection? #1, Bring #47 indoors, tear her down, evaluate the boiler and rebuild her. This bi-directional commuter locomotive is an ideal, economical, local piece for days when light visitation is expected. Nelson Blount loved running her. #2, Keep the big locomotives indoors if possible, but face them towards the turntable, where the light is best for photography. Engines being actively serviced can remain as they are stationed today. #3, Put those Diesels in one area of the complex and label them as the generation that ended the steam era across America. I don't mind displaying Diesels chosen for their historic roles being displayed, but running them and mixing them around the complex is really not the mission of Steamtown. #4, There remain a few badly rusted and damaged steam locomotives around the property, and I'm certain they will be covered or enclosed soon enough. The ancient wooden equipment is in dire need of stabilization, not later, but NOW. The "Jubilee" should be sent to Canada, and 3377 should be placed behind the shops for access rather than display. Oh, shovel the coal out of the LIRR steam rotary.

Many thank for the PM's and other responses.

Richard,
The comment about liberated parts does not apply to the banned volunteer from the 565 group, to the best of my knowledge. Just wanted to stop that rumor before it spreads.

Mike Tillger

Thank you, Mike. The question ends here.

No reference to any particular individual should be assumed or inferred from my remark. Sadly, there have been enough demonstrated incidents of theft of materials done under the "name" of "proactive" or "independent preservation".

I've heard of lots of stories about these "preservationists"-a story about a man who tried to pry a station sign off a building that had become a private residence comes to mind. In any event, good to hear things are looking good back East in Scranton!

Richard - Wish I had known you were coming, I would have come down from the tower to say hello!

I can add some to your previous comments/suggestions.

As to the 47, I doubt you'll ever see a Canadian locomotive restored at steamtown (not including rebuilds on the current stable). Even though it is broadly similar to some units the CNJ had, it's just not the direction I think the park would go in.

I believe the big locomotives are going to be kept inside now as much as possible. Prototypically they would face away from the turntable inside the roundhouse, and having them face in towards the walkway makes a better impression on the visitors.

As for the diesels... I'm glad that Steamtown has embraced them, and they're great for display and special events, BUT, the public wants steam. Even if some couldn't tell the difference between steam and diesel by looking at the engine, they come to STEAMtown and want to ride a steam train. Period. Yes I know that the F's replaced steam, and worked side by side with steam, but visitors want the thrill of steam power. When they see a diesel on the train or on the schedule, they are dissapointed. As the steamtown excursion schedule says: "Few experiences are more thrilling than riding behind a steam locomotive". Save the diesels for railfan events, when they can be appreciated.

Steamtown has recently torn down an old store house (aka "the bombed out building") which had burned before Steamtown even moved to Scranton, and had several partial collapses since. The chiefs at Steamtown is trying to get funding to build a storage facility in its place. Hopefully that will happen sooner rather than later and some more equipment can be moved inside.

This is only my thoughts/conjecture/opinion based on my years working there.

Dave

Richard; thank you very much for sharing your pictures and impressions on your trip. I also enjoyed it very much.