Took the grandkids to railfest at Steamtown today and have to say it was the best one I've been to. Great weather, great crowds and the 3254 was awesome.
I loved the photo run by at Moscow. Lots of yard activity with 2 other trains running.

This year was one of the best and most certainly crowded to date. Each year they keep getting better. One thing though that I might respectfully disagree with is the music. There was 40s era big band music playing that you could hear over every square inch of the park. It was very loud and quite distracticting. Other than that, the air was filled with nothing but the sound of trains almost constantly moving. The Moscow train was sold out so my girlfriend and I took the Electric City Trolley ride out to their shop. The trolley was also filled to capacity. I'd say all in all a good day for both groups.

The family and I were up for Saturday (prior commitments saw us arrive late Friday and leave early Sunday). The fest was, as usual, a winner.

Few observations:
1. Seemed more crowded than last year. Lots of buffs but tons of daisy pickers. Big win.
2. The yard fulfilled its potential of "bustle." With no less than 5 different trains (including the trolley) making multiple moves. Wow!
3. The efforts of "friends" like the ARHS, D-L and ELDCPS were evident, but the NPS could do more to tell their stories.
4. The LEGO layout was good as always, but the trains on it this year! Oh my! Can you say "Crusader."
5. Machinery demos in the shop were excellent.
6. The downtown Italian fest remians the perfect compliment to Railfest. Unico St Ubaldo's pasta with sausage and peas was phenomenal. There were no less than 4 purveyors of birch beer or root beer on tap and the most wonderful fresh squeezed orange cream you can imagine.
7. Caught up with some old friends, but no where near enough. So many good folks were there!
8. And there is always time for my annual Labor Day weekend visit to the John Mitchell statue while downtown at the fest. He and several other Scranton area historical figures are my favorite to honor on Labor Day.

What about #26, #3713 and whatevs else? Those with first-hand knowledge can address properly. To quote Harry Chapin, "If I answered at all, I'd lie." Not intentionally, mind you, but that last thing the Intrawebs needs is more second hand news.


Images:
There are tons of images "just like mine" on the Innertubes, and I will share some on Facebook, but here's a neat video from the day featuring the ring of fire. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Im7FcwpbO1A&list=UUAZ50MT_mB_L0KFUppYNgnw&index=0&feature=plcp


Thanks to all who made Railfest 2012 a great event. In 2013 the porketta's on me!

Rob

I also had a great time at Railfest. The shop tour was the best one yet with the crew operating the large machines, and taking the time to answer our questions. They went above and beyond. Great job and thanks!

I am happy to say 0-6-0 #26 and 4-6-2 #3713 are moving along nicely. The boiler of the 26 was so clean and well put together that at first glance I thought it was new!
I can't figure out how to post pics here, but if i could you'd see pics of 3713 below showing the great care being taken to replace the firebox. The side sheets and backhead are on, with the top (roof?) sheet ready to go up.
I was like a kid in a candy store.

Only negative thing was that a family of 5 (three of them were kids) followed our tour into the shop by accident, and were told to leave even though we pleaded for them to stay. There would have been no compromise to safety. I thought that was in bad taste.

Otherwise, it was a very nice show.

Brian

Thanks for the updates.

Spent a very nice day up at Steamtown on Saturday. It was my girlfriend's first visit and she enjoyed it very much, in particular the AC museum spaces and the viewing the private varnish open to the public. It was something to stand at the passenger platform after a trolley ride to see all the trains in motion at one time- the inbound ELDCPS train backing up after unloading, the advancing steam hauled Moscow train, the NKP GP on the caboose hop and the DL&W Fs on the passenger train.

Personal favorites included the NS F unit and the R&N switcher, visiting passenger equipment, in particular the ex AOE sleeper and that beautiful six axle dome. The private ferry moves in association with Amtrak seem to be steady- perhaps a car like the dome car could be considered on a Moscow trip- logistics...

Surprised more groups weren't represented at sales tables- the two F unit groups, the ELDCPS, and NS itself in association with their very nicely done exhibit car.

Thank you to all who made the event possible!

Joshua