Railfest at Steamtown National Historic Site

Illustration of the Baldwin Steam Locomotive in green with blue accents on a muted black and white flag patterned background. Surrounded by text Railfest 2026, Baldwin #26 and Steamtown National Historic Site.

RAILFEST 2026

Celebrate Steamtown's 40th Anniversary & America's 250th
Labor Day Weekend
(September 4-6, 2026)
9 AM - 5 PM

Railfest celebrates railroading's past, present, and future with train rides, special demonstrations, exhibits, visiting rail equipment, musical entertainment, ranger programs, and lots of activities and displays offered by our community partners. This year’s event honors Steamtown's 40th anniversary of becoming a national park site, the 200th anniversary of the start of railroading in the U.S., and America's 250th. For Railfest 2026's feature engine, we're celebrating our Baldwin #26 steam locomotive ("#26 in '26!"). Check out all the great merchandise featuring this Railfest 2026 design at our park store!

The event kicks off with an opening ceremony Friday, 9/4 at 10:30 a.m. The event is free (with charges for some rides).

As of this update (August 23, 2026), Railfest 2026 highlights include:


Visiting Equipment: The park will host several pieces of visiting equipment from the Delaware and Lackawanna Railroad, including the famed Nickel Plate PA-190 locomotive, the historic City of Lima sleeper car, and some very sharp looking diesel engines honoring the Delaware and Hudson Railroad (#4068) and the Erie-Lackawanna (#2452 & #2461). From Norfolk Southern, the Delaware & Hudson heritage unit (#1080) with other possible equipment in the works. A 10-ton Plymouth diesel switcher from Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad (US Army #1050) will be running demonstrations. TOYX and the Port Jervis Railroad Museum are sending two Conrail units- a wide view caboose (#22130) and their exhibit boxcar (#368191) which was at Steamtown for the grand opening in 1995. Plus a very special first-time public debut for a half scale replica of Union Pacific #119 (one of the engines from the famous Golden Spike joining of the Transcontinenatl Railroad). Other equipment is on the way as well and we'll update as pieces are confirmed.

Rides: Hop on board the Scranton Limited and experience a short train ride pulled by our 1929 #26 Baldwin steam locomotive or a ride on a short "caboose hop" (tickets $6). Ride on maintenance of way equipment including a pump handcar and NJ Trackcar railroad speeders. And, in partnership with the Iron Horse Society's fundraiser for the park's Troop Sleeper, two WWII M3A1 Stuart Tanks and and M3 Halftrack will be offering rides around the park. (Tickets available through the Iron Horse Society)

Programs and Demonstrations:The locomotive shops will be open to visit, with demonstrations of the drop table, the "ring of fire" and other railroad restoration machinery. Enjoy cab tours of the Big Boy, model train layouts, demonstartions of track work tools and work, walking tours to parts of teh railyard normally not accessible, and much more. We'll have railroading-themed musical performances and presentations on railroading heirtage topics around the turntable. Plus come meet TUG, the family favorite tow engine from the National Museum of Industrial History (sporting an outfit celebrating America's 250th)!

Exhibits and Displays- Check out the Union Pacific Museum's temporary exhibit All Set for the West, highlighting the role railroads played in developing the National Park system, alongside a mini-exhibit honoring the Big Boy locomotives. Create your own postcard inspired by Steamtown's archival collections. Check out all the great displays from community partners representing recreational, environmental, and heritage opportunities in Northeastern Pennsylvania. And be sure to check out the exhibits, activities, and trolley rides offered by our neighbors at the Electric City Trolley Museum!

Costume Contest- Step into the golden age of railroading and show off your best historic look at Railfest 2026! Steamtown's first ever "Life on the Railroad" Costume Contest! Judging takes place at 1 p.m. on Sunday, September 6. See below for more details.

Night Photo Shoots- The Iron Horse Society will be offering night photo shoots during Railfest 2026 Thursday, Friday & Saturday (9/3-9/5). Great opportunity to capture historic railroading equipment in dramatic, professionally lit scenes. Limited to 30 photographers each night- reservations available on the Iron Horse Society's website. Thursday Theme: Live Steam After Sunset with Baldwin #26, Friday Theme: Historic Diesels and Heritage Paint under the Lights, Saturday Theme: Big Boy, Armor & Live Steam.

La Festa Shuttle - Take advantage of the free bus shuttle between Railfest and the food and fun of the La Festa Italian Festival in downtown Scranton! Shuttle running Saturday & Sunday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Come on down - It'll be a great weekend at Steamtown National Historic Site!

 

Railfest 2026 Information and Daily Schedules

Daily Schedules will be posted the week of August 17. 

An event schedule and map will be available to all visitors upon arrival at Steamtown National Historic Site.

NOTE: All programs and activities may be subject to cancellation or changes due to mechanical issues, inclement weather, or crew/partner availability.

 

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Last updated: August 23, 2026

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

150 South Washington Avenue
Scranton, PA 18503-2018

Phone:

(570) 445-1898
General park information. Phone monitored 9:30am-4pm, daily

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