Steamtown National Historic Site

10/24/2026

If you see our train on the tracks today, give our crew and passengers a wave hello!

Come to the park today and enjoy a free ride behind our steam locomotive to celebrate the park's 40th anniversary.

The Anthracite Railroads Historical Society - ARHS’s 664 and Tri-State’s 663 are the power for today’s Steamtown National Historic Site excursion to the Delaware Water Gap. It’s a beautiful day for a train ride!

10/23/2026

Join Steamtown rangers October 25, 30 and 31 for a tour of the historic Lackawanna Railroad Station, now the Radisson Hotel.

Tours will be a part of the 1:15 Scranton Limited trains on October 25 and 30, as well as the 1:15 and 2:30 trains on October 31. The Scranton Limited will take passengers up to the station where riders will disembark the train and tour through the station’s first floor with a park ranger.

Tickets are required and available on recreation.gov or in-person at the park. $10 for adults, $1 for children under 6.

Built in 1908, the Lackawanna Station was part of a major modernization program launched under the leadership of William Truesdale, President of the Lackawanna Railroad from 1899 to 1925. The station is constructed with a steel framework and Indiana limestone as its façade. The interior includes a two and a half story waiting room lined in Siena marble from Italy, a stained-glass ceiling for lighting, and tile murals depicting various locations along the Lackawanna’s line from Hoboken to Niagara Falls. On January 5th, 1970, the station saw its last passenger train depart. Unused from 1972 to 1982, it was reopened and christened as a hotel.

Images:
1. Exterior of Delaware, Lackawanna & Western's Scranton passenger station.
2. Italian Siena marble walls with tile mosaics near the ceiling.
3. Interior passenger waiting area.

10/23/2026

Did you miss the Crossing America livestream with Steamtown NHS yesterday? Catch it again via the Crossing America YouTube page, following this link:

https://ow.ly/bBGb5100AkH

Perfect for students and educators of all kinds, this virtual program includes with FIVE lesson plans on Crossing America's official website. Join rangers Christoher, Kenedy, and Tim as they teach Dr. Drizzle and her wonderful students about the history and culture of American railroading as preserved by the National Park Service.

Images:
1. Ranger Tim, Christopher, and Kennedy wave to virtual students with Dr. Drizzle.
2. Students enjoy watching the Crossing America livestream.

10/23/2026

Tomorrow: Special Event Book Signing

Join us Saturday, October 24 for a special book signing and presentations with three Steamtown authors.

• Dennis Livesey, "Steam Over Steamtown"
• Hank Webber, "The History of the High Iron Company"
• Margo Azzarelli, "Images of Rail: Steamtown National Historic Site"

This event presented by Eastern National will take place from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm inside the Steamtown NHS visitor center. Meet and greet the authors as they discuss their books and then purchase your own signed copy.

Images:
1. Books on table with train in background.
2. Interior of the Steamtown NHS bookstore.

10/22/2026

40th Anniversary of Steamtown National Historic Site
October 23 - November 1, 2026

40th Anniversary Kickoff Ceremony
Friday, October 23 • 12 noon – 1 p.m.
Join the superintendent and other invited speakers in the Visitor Center for a ceremony recognizing Steamtown’s 40th anniversary.

Ten Days Honoring Our Past, Celebrating Our Future!
Enjoy free train rides, hands-on activities, special exhibits, behind-the-scenes tours, and much more throughout our ten-day celebration.

Free Train Rides – Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays (October 23–25 & October 30–November 1) Departures at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:15 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Handcar Rides – Most days from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Try your hand at operating a real handcar at the North Turntable Lead.

Locomotive Shop Tours – Most days at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Join a park ranger for a guided tour to see where our locomotives are maintained.

Mattes Street Tower Tours – Monday through Thursday at 12:45 p.m.
Take a guided tour of the historic tower and learn about its role in railroad operations.

Big Boy Cab Visits – See inside the cab of the Big Boy.

Special Exhibits – 40th anniversary exhibit in the History Museum.

Authors Event and Presentations – Saturday, October 24 • 12 – 3 p.m.
Hear presentations from renowned railroad authors Dennis Livesey, Hank Webber, and Margo Azzarelli in the Visitor Center, followed by an opportunity to purchase signed copies of their books, presented by Eastern National.

For a full schedule, visit nps.gov/steamtown
Please note: Programs and schedules are subject to change based on weather, staffing, and operational needs.

10/22/2026

Join us today as go live with Crossing America to teach you about the history and culture of American railroading. Class is in session beginning at 1:00 pm EST.

Can't catch the stream? All Crossing America livestreams are recorded and can be found on the official Crossing America website.

Follow the link here to join us: https://www.crossingamerica.net/steamtownlivestream2026.html

Image: A park ranger talks with a boy inside the cab of Big Boy 4012.

10/21/2026

Hey students and educators! Tomorrow Steamtown NHS is going live with Crossing America.

Join park staff and dive into the story of steam and learn about the people, places, and things that kept American railroads on the move.

The Crossing America live stream begins tomorrow, October 22 at 1:00 pm EST and will last approximately 1 hour. Follow the link below to join the live stream:
https://www.crossingamerica.net/steamtownlivestream2026.html

Perfect for classrooms, homeschooling, and lifelong learners, grab your engineer's cap and choo-choose to join us in the fun.

Image: A park ranger talks with a boy inside the cab of Big Boy 4012.

10/21/2026

Happy Birthday Steamtown National Site!

On October 30, 1986, Congress approved the former Steamtown USA collection as a unit of the National Park Service. This month celebrates the park's 40th anniversary.

In celebration, Steamtown NHS is offering free Scranton Limited train rides for two weekends - October 23-25 and October 30 - November 1. Come ride the train, enjoy the fall weather, and help celebrate a new decade of railroad preservation.

Image: A park ranger celebrates in front of a steam locomotive. NPS Image.

10/19/2026

Steamtown National Historic Site is turning 40!

We’re celebrating four decades since Congress established Steamtown as a unit of the National Park Service on October 30, 1986 - a milestone rooted in the vision of rail enthusiast F. Nelson Blount. Blount’s passion for preserving steam locomotives laid the groundwork for the park today.

Our new temporary exhibit, “Steamtown at 40,” reflects on this legacy, which serves as a microcosm for the legacy of railroading in America as we continue to celebrate America’s 250th. The movement and mobility afforded by trains are at the core of the evolving story of freedom in America. Railroads didn’t just move people and goods, they carried ideas, opportunities, and the meaning of freedom across the nation.

At 40 years old, Steamtown continues to preserve this powerful history. From Blount’s original locomotive collection to the artifacts, archives, and skilled preservation work carried on by today’s staff, the site remains a place where America’s railroading story comes alive.

The exhibit, on display in the History Museum, beginning Friday Oct. 23, features images and artifacts from Steamtown U.S.A. We extend a special thanks to our partners at the National Mine Map Repository (OSMRE) for digitally scanning images for the exhibit.

Image 1: Preview of the “Steamtown at 40” exhibit. NPS image.

Image 2: NMMR scan of an architectural rendering for a proposed Steamtown U.S.A. facility in Scranton, PA, c. 1983-1986. NPS image, STEA 3760t.

10/18/2026

Join us this upcoming Saturday, October 24th for our trip to the town of Delaware Water Gap. Shorter days and crisp autumn nights bring forth a pageantry of color in the trees. Our diesel-powered train will depart Steamtown at 9:00am and travel through the scenic Pocono Mountains and along the Delaware River to Slateford Junction before returning to the town.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase at the train station and local restaurants in town. Learn about local history and art at the Antoine Dutot Museum and Gallery in the 1850s brick schoolhouse off Main Street and tour the town and the iconic Castle Inn.

10/05/2026

Today’s homework: thank a teacher.

National parks are places where students can learn about history by standing where it happened, explore science by observing nature, and discover stories that help us better understand the people and places that shaped our world.

Behind those experiences are teachers helping students ask questions, make connections, and learn about the world around them.

On World Teachers’ Day, we celebrate the educators who inspire curiosity, encourage exploration and remind us that learning can happen just about anywhere. (Including places with a really good view.)

Learn more at: https://www.nps.gov/teachers/index.htm

NPS Image

10/05/2026

Every day from October 12 to November 5, 2026, visit Mission San José's granary during park hours (9am-5pm) to view the mission descendant community's family ofrendas.

Ofrendas are an essential part of Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead. The word ofrenda means offering in Spanish. They are also called "altares" or altars, but not for worship. These altars are not only full of family pictures, but of symbols and meaning, honoring the ancestors who have passed, and offering them items of the celebration such a "pan de mu**to" and marigold flowers.

NPS Photo

10/04/2026

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” — Anne Shirley, Anne of Green Gables

And we’re rather glad there are national parks to experience them in. Fall is a great time to get outside and enjoy the spectacular spectacle (say that five times fast) of changing leaves. There is plenty of room for imagination when you find yourself surrounded by forests painted in brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold. In our experience, you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will. So consider this your invitation to find a little wonder, a little enchantment, and perhaps a kindred spirit among the trees.

Forests, woods, and shrublands in national parks put on their autumn colors from September through December. There’s a whole world of beauty waiting to be explored!

Image 1: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Image 2: Great Smoky Mountains NP
Image 3: Great Sand Dunes NPP
Image 4: Rocky Mountain National Park
Image 5: TheodoreRooseveltNPS

10/03/2026

“On October 3rd, he asked what day it was.” — Cady Heron

It’s October 3rd.

October is kind of a big deal around here. The autumn months splash many national parks with a rich array of fall colors, while cooler temperatures have wildlife getting ready for winter. Some are migrating. Some are gathering food. Some are putting on extra layers.

Same, honestly.

So whether you’re here for the foliage, the wildlife, or simply to judge the leaves on their color palette, national parks are a pretty fetch place to experience fall. Fetch? We’re making it happen.

And if you want to keep up with what’s happening in parks this season, you can find more ways to connect with your national parks at the link below.
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/fall-season.htm

Image: Red Osier Dogwood leaves stand out against aspen trunks at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. NPS/Patrick Myers

10/02/2026

10/02/2026

Wherever military life takes you, there’s likely a park adventure nearby.

Active-duty military members, Veterans, and Gold Star families can get a free America the Beautiful Pass, providing access to national parks and federal recreation sites across the country.

Active-duty military families can also find free events, nearby outdoor opportunities, and resources for exploring national parks, public lands, and waterways through the Military Families Outdoors Program, wherever military life takes them. Visit: go.nps.gov/mfo

Whether you’re PCSing, exploring near your duty station, or looking for a weekend adventure, your next park visit may be closer than you think.

NPS Photo: Rangers at Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park recently teamed up with Blue Star Families and community partners for a day of fishing, outdoor fun, and family time at Fletchers Cove.

Blue Star Families Defense Public Health

10/01/2026

Fat Bear Week has officially lumbered to a close.

What a week. As they say, a journey of roughly 3,000 to 4,500 calories begins with a single salmon. Something like that. There might be some steps involved too.

In the end, 16 bears entered. Bear 89 “Backpack” became champion. Talk about the hunger games. And several ate their way into our hearts. Figuratively. And thousands of us humans spent an unreasonable amount of time judging bears for being excellent at being, well, bears.

It was a week of big bellies, bigger appetites, and absolutely no regrets. We shared some science, learned about the Alaskan ecosystem, stood around for hours watching large mammals eat, and found multiple way to incorporate “chonk” in everyday vocabulary.

Now the bears have more important things to do, such as eating then sleeping, a bit more eating, sleeping, and finally preparing to sleep after eating. As for the rest of us, we all return to our regularly scheduled programming.

Must we?

We must.

We will miss you, Fat Bear Week. Until next year: stay chunky, stay hungry, and remember: there’s always room for one more salmon.

NPS Images

10/01/2026

10/01/2026

Now that Fat Bear Week is over, it's time for Chunky Puppy Day! Tune in to the Puppy Cam tomorrow, Thursday, October 1, at 2pm AK time to find out how big the America's Best Idea litter got this summer.

How much do you think they weigh now? Share your guesses in the comments below.

NPS Photo: Graupel from the Weather litter during a weigh-in last year.

09/30/2026

This is the ideal marmot body. You may not like it. You may not understand it. But this is what peak performance looks like.

Now that Fat Bear Week is over, we’re returning to our regularly scheduled programming: other fat mammals.

The tundra-dwelling yellow-bellied marmots have been preparing for hibernation for the last couple of months. Since marmots spend more than half their lives hibernating, they’ve developed some impressive adaptations for surviving the winter:

✅ First, they’ve been building up healthy fat reserves (sound familiar? Bears. Us too, but that’s another post) to sustain them for up to eight months. Basically, a nice winter savings account.

✅ When they finally enter hibernation, they become true hibernators, slowing their heart rate from around 200 beats per minute to as low as 30. It’s an impressive energy-saving strategy.

✅ Speaking of saving, they also save on utilities by cuddling up with the colony in a communal burrow. Because heating is expensive, and roommates are the answer. Was that on the lease?

NPS Photo: A rotund marmot standing on a rock at Rocky Mountain National Park