ABOUT

There is nothing quite so romantic as a steam train — the sound of a steam whistle echoing across the valley, plumes of smoke billowing in the air, the rhythmic chugging sound of the exhaust, the clickity-clack of the wheels. You can immediately imagine the engineer leaning out the cab window looking at the track ahead, pulling on the whistle cord while the fireman is continuously shoveling fresh coal into the roaring fire. 

While this vivid scene was once commonplace across all of industrial America, it is all but a memory today. Steamtown National Historic Site (SNHS) is one of the few places where you can recreate this romantic experience from that by-gone era today. In addition to a world class museum and large collection of locomotives and equipment, what really makes SNHS unique is the ability to explore roughly 40 acres of the former Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad’s Scranton Yards, including restored & working roundhouse and restoration backshops, to really get up close to living history.

However, the stewardship and operation of the irreplaceable artifacts of rail transportation requires immense specialized knowledge, multi-disciplined talent, and financial support. Today, our National Park system is limited by budget shortfalls, severe understaffing, and federal regulations regarding limitations on the organization and staff. As of 2017, Steamtown National Historic Site has an estimated 37 million dollars in backlogged preservation & maintenance projects.  

The Iron Horse Society, a 501c3 corporation, was formed to promote the knowledge, education, & preservation of railroad heritage at Steamtown National Historic Site for generations to come.  Whether as an advocate, volunteer, or financial supporter, please join us helping SNHS preserve railroad history for the next generation.

What IHS is Doing

In order to accomplish this mission, the Iron Horse Society's activities include:

  • Raising funds, via grants, sponsorships, contributions, events, and sales of products or services, to advance the missions of SNHS and/or the Iron Horse Society.

  • Recruiting of volunteers across all aspects of SNHS operations, including interpretive guides, historians, mechanics, and conductors & locomotive engineers.

  • Informing the public, at large, of the educational, historical, and recreational activities & opportunities at SNHS throughout the year to drive increased attendance.

  • Developing and executing selected projects, events, & activities to enhance SNHS visitor experience.

  • Collaborating with external groups, entities, or individuals in developing opportunities to advance the missions of SNHS and/or the Iron Horse Society.

Challenging – yes.

Daunting – no, given the drive and passion of people like you.

There are multiple ways to get involved and help us preserve railroad history for the next generation: