Steamtown National Historic Site runs fall foliage train excursions Sept. 24-Oct. 29
From a press release:
There’s a chill in the air and autumn is on its way, so what better way to view Northeastern Pennsylvania’s colorful fall foliage than from a historic train coach?
The Steamtown National Historic Site in downtown Scranton is scheduling excursions through some of the most beautiful fall countryside of the nearby Pocono Mountains and Lackawanna Valley. A total of eight fall foliage excursions, most powered by historic diesel locomotives, are planned this season. Reservations for these fall foliage excursions open on Sunday, Sept. 24.
Trips are scheduled to Moscow on Saturday, Oct. 14 and 21. The trips to Moscow depart at 12:30 p.m. and are expected to arrive back at the park at 3 p.m. The Lackawanna & Wyoming Valley Chapter NRHS will offer light refreshments for sale during the train’s layovers; sales support restoration of the park’s Boston and Maine No. 3713 steam locomotive. Moscow excursion tickets are priced at $24 for adults 16-61, $22 for seniors 62 and older, and $17 for children ages 6-15. Children up to age 5 require a “no-charge” ticket.
On Saturday, Oct. 7, it heads to East Stroudsburg for the borough’s Fall Foliage Harvest Festival. Departure is at 9:30 a.m., and the train arrives back at the park at 4:30 p.m. Visit this quaint, historic town and remember to make time to visit the former East Stroudsburg railroad tower. Tickets are priced at $54 for adults 16-61, $49 for seniors 62 and older, and $32 for children ages 6-15. Children 5 and younger require a “no-charge” ticket.
A trip to Tobyhanna Station is planned for Sunday, Oct. 8. This excursion is scheduled to depart at 11 a.m. and arrive back at the park at 3 p.m. At Tobyhanna Station, there will be a walking tour to a former railroad ice house. Ticket prices for the excursion are $34 for adults 16 to 61, $29 for seniors 62 and older, and $22 for children ages 6-15. Children up to age 5 require a “no-charge” ticket.
A special excursion to Carbondale is tentatively scheduled to operate with the park’s Baldwin No. 26 0-6-0 steam locomotive on Columbus Day, Monday, Oct. 9. This special trip through the Lackawanna Valley, along a portion of former Delaware & Hudson Railway, is scheduled to depart at 10 a.m. and arrive back at the park at 4 p.m. Enjoy fall activities during this visit to the Pioneer City. Tickets are priced at $24 for adults 16-61, $22 for seniors 62 and older, and $17 for children ages 6-15. Children 5 and younger require a “no-charge” ticket. (Note: Locomotive power is subject to change without notice.)
An excursion to the Delaware Water Gap Station is scheduled to depart at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 15, arriving back at the park at 5 p.m. Tour this historic town and enjoy restaurants, shops, and a planned car show (weather permitting). Tickets are priced at $54 for adults 16-61, $49 for seniors 62 and older, and $32 for children ages 6-15. Children up to age 5 require a “no-charge” ticket.
On Sunday, Oct. 22, an excursion to Cresco is scheduled. The restored depot preserves aspects of life in the early days of the Poconos. Enjoy a leisurely Sunday visit with live music and light refreshments available for sale. The train departs Steamtown at 11:30 a.m. and arrives back at the park at 4 p.m. Ticket prices are $34 for adults 16 to 61, $29 for seniors 62 and older, and $22 for children ages 6-15. Children 5 and younger require a “no-charge” ticket.
Lastly, just in time for Halloween, the train will venture to Gouldsboro on Sunday, Oct. 29. The trip departs the Steamtown Boarding Platform at 11 a.m. and arrives back at the park at 3 p.m. Dress in costume and join boys and ghouls of all ages for this “haunted” fun ride. Special children’s games and a Halloween costume contest highlight this spooky “Ghoulsboro” trip. Light refreshments will be available. Ticket pricing is $34 for adults ages 16-61, $29 for seniors ages 62 and older, $22 for children ages 6-15. Children up to age 5 require a free ticket.
The 30-minute “Scranton Limited” short train rides inside the park boundaries will operate on Fridays and Saturdays from Sept. 8 through Nov. 11; the “Nay Aug Limited” short train rides will operate on Sundays through Nov. 12. All short train rides depart from the Roundhouse boarding area at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:15 p.m., and 2:15 p.m. There is an additional $5 charge for this ride. The daily entrance fee is $7 per person, all ages 16 and older. Children 15 and under, accompanied by an adult, are admitted to the park at no charge. The entrance fee includes parking and access to the outdoor grounds, the museum complex, scheduled walking tours, and the park movie “Steel and Steam.”
The Steamtown NHS (150 S. Washington Ave., Scranton) is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. For train excursion information and reservations, call 570-340-5204 daily from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. General park information is available on the park website.
