National railroad park and train ride

Steamtown National Historic Site

Immediately beside the museum

A free National Park Service railroad museum, roundhouse, railyard, and seasonal train operation sharing the Cliff Street campus with Electric City Trolley Museum.

The place

About Steamtown National Historic Site

Steamtown National Historic Site preserves the former Delaware, Lackawanna & Western yard and a nationally significant collection of steam-era railroad equipment. Its visitor center, museums, roundhouse, railyard, and core exhibits are free; seasonal short rides and destination excursions require separate paid tickets.

Electric City Trolley Museum sits immediately beside the park but is managed separately by Lackawanna County. The trolley excursion boards from Steamtown’s main passenger platform, yet a trolley ticket does not include a Steamtown train ride and Steamtown train tickets do not include the trolley museum.

The park’s main operating steam locomotive is Baldwin No. 26, while its large static collection includes Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4012 and Reading T-1 No. 2124. Motive power, passenger equipment, tours, and destination access can change with mechanical and operating conditions.

What stands out

Free roundhouse and museum

Visitors can explore the steam-era collection and working railroad setting without buying a ride.

Short and destination rides

The calendar ranges from a roughly 30-minute yard program to full-day regional excursions.

Steam beside electric rail

The shared campus makes it unusually easy to compare mainline steam history with interurban trolley technology.

Big Boy No. 4012

The static Union Pacific locomotive is a major collection anchor, distinct from the operating power used on current rides.

Pair it with the train

Why it belongs in an Electric City Trolley Museum trip

This is the highest-value companion to the trolley museum and requires no second drive. Build the day around whichever timed ride matters most, then use the free Steamtown museums and roundhouse to fill the gap between separately ticketed departures.

Before you go

Plan your visit

  • Core admissionThe visitor center, museums, roundhouse, grounds, and principal exhibits have no park entrance fee. Train rides and special excursions use separate tickets.
  • 2026 short ridesThe published Scranton Limited yard ride runs Fridays–Sundays through November 8. Longer destination excursions use selected dates and different durations.
  • ArrivalFor short rides, arrive 15–20 minutes before departure because seating is first-come, first-served. Destination and partner excursions can use different check-in instructions.
  • Separate operatorsSteamtown and Electric City Trolley Museum share the campus but not admission. Buy the trolley ticket inside the trolley museum before going to the shared-area platform.
  • AccessibilityThe core park is generally accessible, and a lift-equipped passenger car is available for most rides. Historic cars, shop tours, and destination stations vary; contact the park before purchase when access is essential.
  • ParkingUse the main Cliff Street visitor lot. Six accessible-reserved spaces are near the front; campers and RVs should note the 13-foot, 7-inch bridge clearance.
  • RestroomsAccessible restrooms are available in park buildings. Onboard passenger-car restrooms are not wheelchair accessible.
  • EquipmentBaldwin No. 26 is the park’s principal operating steam locomotive, but the selected train’s motive power and consist can change.

Add the Laurel Line

Add Electric City Trolley Museum

Cross the shared campus for a separate museum and vintage interurban excursion through Crown Avenue Tunnel.

View the guide →

Useful answers

Frequently asked questions

Is Steamtown included with an Electric City Trolley ticket?

No. The attractions share a campus but are separately managed and ticketed. Steamtown’s core museum is free; its train rides and the trolley museum each use their own tickets.

Is Steamtown National Historic Site free?

Yes for the core visitor center, museums, roundhouse, grounds, and exhibits. Train rides and special excursions cost extra.

How long is a Steamtown train ride?

The Scranton Limited yard ride is about 30 minutes. Destination excursions can last from roughly 2.5 hours to most of a day.

Is Steamtown wheelchair accessible?

The core site is generally accessible and most rides can use a lift-equipped car, but historic equipment and destination stations vary. Contact the park before buying.

Will Baldwin No. 26 pull my train?

Only when current trip information confirms it. Mechanical, weather, crew, and operating needs can change motive power.

Where should I park?

Use the main visitor lot entered from Cliff Street. The trolley museum entrance is on the same broader grounds.

Trust and accuracy

Sources

Source checked 2026-08-12. This free guide has not yet been confirmed by the venue. Current hours, prices, services, and accessibility can change; confirm time-sensitive details directly.