SCRANTON – Steamtown National Historic Site plans to transport visitors through some of the most beautiful fall scenery the nearby Pocono Mountains have to offer. A total of nine fall foliage excursions – and several Halloween rides – all diesel-powered, are planned for this season.
The first fall foliage trip is planned for Gouldsboro Station on Saturday, Oct. 3. The Gouldsboro Train Station will feature a “Wizard of Oz” themed experience, including theme music by The Concepts, a five-piece brass band. Light homemade refreshments will also be available for sale during the layover. Departing Steamtown at 11 a.m., with a scheduled return at 3 p.m., tickets prices are $34 for adults 16-61, $29 for seniors 62 and older and $22 for children ages 6-15. Children 5 and younger require a “no-charge” ticket.
Trips to Moscow will depart at 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 4, 12, 17 and 25, and are expected to return at 3 p.m. On the Oct. 4 trip, members of Scranton’s Delaney-Delacy Guard, Confederation of Union Generals, will be attired in Civil War-period dress and present a program during the layover at Moscow. The Lackawanna and Wyoming Valley Chapter NRHS, which leases the former Moscow passenger station and freight house, will offer light refreshments for sale during the train’s layovers. 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 to age five require a “no-charge” ticket.
This year, two Saturday trips are planned to East Stroudsburg.
On Oct. 10, riders will depart at 9 a.m. and return at 5 p.m. While at East Stroudsburg, they will help celebrate the 125th anniversary of Acme Hose Company #1 at its block party, including fire equipment displays, bounce house, pony rides, face-painting, a carnival and more.
On Oct. 24, Steamtown will again visit East Stroudsburg, departing at 9 a.m. and arriving back at Scranton at approximately 6 p.m. Visit this quaint, historic town and remember to make time to visit the East Stroudsburg Railroad Tower. Many local restaurants will also be open during the layover.
Tickets are priced at $54 for adults 16-61, $49 for seniors 62 and older and $32 for children ages 6-15. Children to age 6 require a “no-charge” ticket. Limited First Class seating aboard business car Lehigh Valley #353 “Black Diamond” may also be available at an additional cost of $25 per person.
A trip to Tobyhanna Station is planned for Sunday, Oct. 11. This excursion is scheduled to depart at 11 a.m. and return at 3 p.m. The Coolbaugh Township Historical Association will have light refreshments for sale at the Tobyhanna Station, which also includes a walking tour to an ice house. Ticket prices for the excursion are $34 for adults 16-61, $29 for seniors 62 and older and $22 for children ages 6-15. Children 5 and younger require a “no-charge” ticket.
Lastly, an excursion to Delaware Water Gap Station is scheduled to depart at 9 a.m. on Oct. 18, returning at 5 p.m. Tickets are priced at $54 for adults 16-61, $49 for seniors 62 and older and $32 for children ages 6-15. Children to age 5 require a “no-charge” ticket. Limited First Class seating aboard business car Lehigh Valley #353 “Black Diamond” may also be available at an additional cost of $25 per person.
On Saturday, Oct. 31, Steamtown will celebrate Halloween with a special train experience, featuring actor Dan Yaeger, who played the character “Leatherface” in the “Texas Chainsaw” movies, on board to talk with visitors. The short rides will depart at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m., and 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. Ticket price is $5 for all, ages 5 and older, in addition to the park entrance fee.
The 30-minute Scranton Limited short train rides inside the park boundaries will operate with diesel locomotives on Fridays and Saturdays in September and October, then continue on Saturdays only November through Dec. 19. The Nay Aug Limited short train rides will operate on Sundays only from September through Dec. 13.
All short train rides depart from the Roundhouse boarding area at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m., and 1:30 and 2:30 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.”
Fall foliage train reservations are available by calling 570-340-5204 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
