By Dan Schlossberg
ConsumerAffairs.com
April 7, 2006
Groundhog Day isn't the only time a sleeping giant emerges from its Pennsylvania hideaway.
On April 16, a giant steam locomotive will launch the 2006 operating schedule at Steamtown National Historic Site -- the only National Park with moving parts.
Engine No. 3254 will haul the Scranton Limited, a three-mile round trip that crosses the Lackawanna River, passes the Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel, and begins its return to the roundhouse at the University of Scranton. Many historic topics are covered in the 30-minute on-board program hosted by National Park Service rangers.
Train departure times at 10:30 and 11:30 in the morning and 1:30 and 2:15 in the afternoon, with turntable demonstrations conducted throughout the day at the museum's compact complex.
The earliest opening in the park's history also launched a variation in the usual program. Trains will not operate on Mondays or Tuesdays but steam power will run on Thursdays, Fridays, and weekends usually the busiest visitation days of the week.
Nickel Plate Road diesel No. 514 will haul yard trains on Wednesdays.
The $6 entrance fee, applicable only to those aged 16 or older, includes museum access, the movie Steal and Steam, and all programs offered by the Steamtown staff. A variety of historic tours, talks, demonstrations, and interpretive programs will be offered daily.
Steamtown is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It can be reached by car by taking I-81 to Exit 185 (Central Scranton Expressway) and following the signs to the main entrance at Lackawanna and Cliff Avenues.
For further information, contact Steamtown National Historic Site, 150 S. Washington Ave., Scranton, PA 18503 (Tel. 888-693-9391, Fax 570-340-5340).
