Page last updated on January 2, 1996.
Photos and text are © Copyright 1995 by the Photographer. Reproduction, redistribution or reuse without permission of the Photographer is prohibited.
Photos by Chris Webster. Scans by Daniel Dawdy.
Ontrack and the New York, Susquehanna & Western Railroad operated a steam excursion to the Grand Opening of the Steamtown National Park. The train departed Syracuse early on Friday, June 30, 1995. We arrived at Steamtown that evening and the entire trainload of passengers stayed overnight in dorm rooms at the University of Scranton. The official opening ceremonies were the next day, Saturday, July 1, 1995, and our train departed Scranton that evening. These are some of the photos I took during the trip, views which I didn't see covered elsewhere in Trains, Railfan, Railpace and on the Cyberspace World Railroad.
(36K) On the evening of June 30, 1995, Steamtown held a reception for everyone who had helped with opening the park. Although I had nothing to do with it, there were seven (!) live steamers simmering away during the reception, so needless to say, I invited my way in. It turned out that the reception was open to everyone who had been involved, no matter how minor their role. I hung around and took some photos, including this shot of the steamers lined up.
(47K) Another view of the lineup.
(41K) Steamtown's roundhouse contains an elevated platform for tours. This walkway was open during the reception. We were able to safely spend many wonderful moments on the walkway, listening to the wonderful sounds and smelling the wonderful smells as the six engines simmered away. (The seventh engine, Milwaukee Road #261, was on the other side of the turntable pit.)
(38K) Also parked inside, but not under steam, was Nickel Plate #759.
(50K) As part of the Opening Ceremonies on July 1, Steamtown ran a parade of engines. Since the yard is rather small, there was not much room for all of the engines, leading to views of the congestion.
(46K) Not only did Milwaukee #261 not fit on the turntable, it was a bit too long to comfortably negotiate some of Steamtown's trackage... The crew is easing it through a switch as crew members carefully watch the drivers.
(59K) Three steamers are lined up in this view. The roundhouse complex is in the background of the photo.
(38K) NYSW numbers 2012 and 2400 pull the Ontrack excursion consist into Steamtown after wyeing. NYSW 142 has been cut off and taken to the roundhouse. June 30, 1995.
(51K) After wyeing, NYSW 2400 was cut off and "hidden" behind the roundhouse. This photo shows the diesel easing through yard trackage. The other NYSW diesel, E9 #2400, was used in excursions on July 1.
(52K) Steamtown's Lackawanna geep was also out and about on the evening of June 30. It was hidden away during the grand opening ceremonies on July 1.
(45K) The Delaware-Lackawanna used this beautiful three unit Alco lashup to power their excursion consist. These units sounded wonderful.