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Mike Piersa · Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 10:08 pm Post subject: Under and Above Steamtown

I went to the Lackawanna Railfest at Steamtown today. It was great! There were some fascinating modern railroad displays, such as a giant CSX diesel straight from the factory, but the best parts were the behind the scenes tours. I got to see the site from top to bottom. One tour went to the very top of the 1920 sand tower, which provided not only a great view, but a look at the conveyor, which uses standard DL&W coal buckets, just like those used in the railroad owned coal breakers. We also got to look underneath the concrete sand silo, where a tunnel leads to machinery that steam dried the sand.
In another part of the complex, we went underground again, to see the narrow gauge subway route that connected the office/storage building with the erecting shop. It was originally used by electric trains, powered via an overhead trolley. The track looks to be approximately 36 inch gauge and runs underneath the entire length of the office building before splitting at a 3 way switch. The longest route goes to the left. It travels maybe a couple hundred feet, then turns right to cross under Washington Ave, after which a wall blocks entry into the former erecting shop. If you go right at the switch, the tracks go to an elevator which could raise cars (none left) to ground level, near the scrap yard. Before entering the basement, the tour group got to see each floor of the office/storage building. There are many un-renovated spots and vestiges of the past, such as an ornate open cage passenger elevator. This was only the second public tour of the structure, but they might continue in the future if the response is good. Any chance to explore the facility is worth it. The artifacts, blueprints, patterns, and other items kept inside are amazing, but the physical plant is equally unique and impressive. Here are some photos:

More photos:
http://good-times.webshots.com/album/566070414WjOhkx

cinderella12 · Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 5:38 am Post subject:

You post great pics Mikey.
I was wondering where you were today when we were at the 9.

You should've heard Dave playing with the steam whistle. Just like a little boy again.

Smile

xox
~S
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Mikedc3 · Joined: 10 Jul 2005 Posts: 19 Location: Hopatcong, NJ

Wow!!!!

That is cool!!!. Thanks for sharing those. Got any more??
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Mike Piersa · Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 1:37 pm Post subject:

Thank you both for the comments. More of the underground shots can be found here:
http://community.webshots.com/album/566070414WjOhkx?start=192

I wanted to go to #9, but just ran out of time. I was at Steamtown for 6 hours and still didn’t see all of the special exhibits brought in for the weekend. The lokie whistle at #9 is a lot of fun! We tried it out and tuned it when we ran the pump last weekend. I am glad it is being heard again.

BELLAERIC · Joined: 20 Feb 2008 Posts: 255 Location: WILKES-BARRE PA

THose are awsome pics mike - i never knew that what was below us! pretty cool !

UGMiner Banks · Joined: 08 Jul 2005 Posts: 2689 Location: Hard Coal Region

woah... a hidden section to steamtown...

Laughing

thats sweet mike! i'd like to see that.

I knew the railfan day was going on...and that "yous" were down the 9, but i was busy treating the public at the good old 190 slope. keeping up that side of the history of scranton. Wink

I wanted to come over to steamtown with Billy Dixon, another guy from the mine but we got outa there too late.

Dragulajeeper · Joined: 13 Jan 2007 Posts: 197 Location: Gouldsboro, PA

Ya i definatly need to see that. I really like going to steamtown i never knew there was a "downstairs" to it all. If anyone catches word for another tour like that please post it!
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Chris · Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 1:38 pm Post subject:

check this out..... we are going to begin to look more into this!

http://scrantonpost.com/node/240
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Dragulajeeper · Joined: 13 Jan 2007 Posts: 197 Location: Gouldsboro, PA

post what ya find out Chris!
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Bryan

Well there's Your problem - Mythbusters

Caution: anything posted above may not be real, I am imaginary.

Miner Greg · Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 10:50 am Post subject:

Wow that is pretty wild.. Chris, you were looking for another place to run your Whitcomb! 36"???

Thanks for sharing those pictures. I'd probably be in on a more advanced tour down there..

Let us know what you find out about the old station.. That sounds interesting as well..

Miner Greg