Preserving Heritage: The Restoration Efforts of Age of Steam Roundhouse

At the heart of Sugarcreek, the Age of Steam Roundhouse serves as a museum and a living, breathing entity dedicated to the meticulous restoration of vintage steam locomotives. Step inside, and you’ll find a team of passionate individuals committed to bringing these behemoths of the past back to life. The clang of metal, the hiss of steam – every sound echoes with the dedication to preserving a bygone era. Information about A Day on the Farm: Fun and Frolic at The Farm At Walnut Creek in Sugarcreek, OH can be found here.

Engineering Marvels: Exploring the Locomotive Collection

Age of Steam Roundhouse boasts an impressive collection of steam locomotives, each with its unique history and significance. From the iconic Baldwin locomotives to the powerful Lima-built engines, visitors are treated to a sensory feast of sights, sounds, and stories. The roundhouse becomes a time capsule, inviting patrons to witness the evolution of steam power.


Directions | Hours | Admission

Steamtown is located at 350 Cliff St, Scranton, PA 18503.

Steamtown is open 7 days a week, with Summer hours running: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Winter hours running 10:00 AM – 4 PM (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day).

Operated by the National Park Service, both parking and admission to Steamtown are FREE, although seasonal train excursions and special events do have fees associated with them.

Attractions at Steamtown

Upon entering the sprawling 62-acre complex of Steamtown, visitors embark on a historical journey back to and through the golden age of steam-powered locomotives.

Steamtown features a roundhouse with a working turntable, several historic outbuildings, a museum, and an impressive collection of locomotives and rail cars.

The Roundhouse

This architectural marvel, reconstructed from an original 1902 structure, houses a collection of steam engines and exhibits.

This massive circular building is where locomotives were taken for service and storage.

A walkway around the outer edge of the roundhouse gives you an elevated view of the locomotives housed here.

The Turntable

The turntable allowed locomotives or railcars to be turned around in tight spaces by loading them onto a rotating section of track and then aligning them with a particular roundhouse stall.

A focal point of the yard, this rotating platform demonstrates the precision engineering that facilitated the movement of these massive steam locomotives.

The History Museum

The History Museum tells the captivating story of the railroad industry, showcasing artifacts, exhibits, and interactive displays that bring the past to life.

Visitors can follow a chronological timeline to learn about the development of the steam locomotive from its earliest days.

Several passenger and freight cars are open to walk through inside the museum, including this post office car.

Postal clerks would ride in these cars and sort the mail while it was in transit.

Upstairs in the history museum is a small theatre space, where a film about the history of steam travel in America plays on a loop.

The Big Boy

The behemoth Union Pacific Big Boy #4012 is an undeniable star at Steamtown.

Weighing over a million pounds with a loaded tender, this giant represents the pinnacle of steam locomotive development.

The Big Boys were designed to haul tremendous loads over the steep grades of the Rocky Mountains – a formidable task met with raw power and ingenuity.


An Emotive Voyage into the Past

A billowing plume of smoke, the impassioned chug of a locomotive, and the echoing whistle that punctures the tranquility of the landscape—these are not mere symbols or sounds of a bygone era. They are the soulful essence of a time when the Age of Steam was at its zenith, the period that the Age of Steam Roundhouse endeavors to encapsulate within its sacred walls.

Picture a rustic, brick-and-mortar cathedral to Train History, housing an impressive array of Vintage Trains, each with its unique narrative. A veritable Railroad Museum, the Age of Steam Roundhouse is a remarkable testament to this pivotal era of Rail Transportation, a loving homage crafted by the hands and hearts of devoted enthusiasts.

Echoes from an Age of Steam

At the heart of the Roundhouse lies its magnificent inhabitants—18 steam locomotives representing various periods and aspects of the rich tapestry of the Steam Era. Each purr and hum with an intensity that mirrors the dynamic labor involved in their meticulous Locomotive Restoration. It is here, within the echoes of rattling iron and hissing steam, that you truly sense the majesty of the Age of Steam.

Look closer. Even the most obscure components, like the massive, ferocious fireboxes or the intricate lattice of the running gear, bear the mark of diligent craftsmanship. It offers a vivid and unmitigated view into this heroic age when man tamed the power of steam to conquer distance and time.


A Brief History

Origins and Early Years

The origins of the Texas State Railroad date back to 1881, when it was initially constructed by the Texas State Penitentiary at Rusk.

Inmates were put to work building the tracks to transport supplies and iron ore to the prison-operated iron smelter. The railroad quickly became an integral part of the local industry and economy, serving as a vital link between the towns of Rusk and Palestine.

Expansion and Operations

The line was extended over the years and reached its zenith in the early 20th century, transporting not just industrial materials but passengers as well.

By the mid-1900s, however, the rise of automobile travel and changing industrial demands led to a decline in railroad usage.

In 1972, the Texas Legislature designated the line as the official Texas State Railroad, transforming it into a heritage railroad and preserving its rich history for future generations.

The Experience: Riding the Texas State Railroad

Routes and Destinations

The Texas State Railroad operates its heritage trains primarily between the historic depots of Palestine and Rusk, Texas. The round-trip journey covers approximately 25 miles of track and typically takes around four hours to complete.

**Key Stops and Landmarks:**

1. **Palestine Depot:** One terminus of the route, featuring a vintage-style station with historical displays and a gift shop.

2. **Rusk Depot:** Another historic station with picnic areas, a playground, and more historical exhibits.

3. **Engines and Rolling Stock:** The fleet includes both steam and diesel locomotives, along with beautifully restored passenger cars, offering a glimpse into different eras of train travel.

4. **East Texas Piney Woods:** The journey winds through the lush, scenic Piney Woods, offering picturesque views of towering pines, hardwood forests, and serene lakes.

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