The railroads where a major industry in this particular region. Describing what it was like to work on the railways is a very difficult thing to do in this day and age. It was dirty work, hot work. Temperatures inside the cab, and these were the good jobs, could reach 120 degrees on a summer day. And there weren’t a lot of rewards.

The passengers had it much better. Though these are nothing like modern trains. The cabs are authentic in every detail. That means worn and dirty. They get scattered with soot as the engine burns coal. So these cars don’t exactly pass the white glove test. Steamtown is open daily from 9-5 and the Moscow excursion runs from May to October. Check the website below for schedules and fees.

Many come from Scranton and learn from the Internet that when visiting Scranton....Steamtown National Historic Site was ranked #1. We happened to be in Scranton during our sons 10th bday. We decided on Steamtown National Historic Site for his bday. It was an excellent choice.


It's fun for the entire family "The site was much more than I expected. Even my wife had to admit that it was an afternoon well spent. There is a guided tour which you can take or you can venture on your own. There are so many trains, pictures, history and memorabilia" says Ashley Gracile.


You can even board some of the trains and sit down in them or you can explore inside. During late April you can actually ride on a moving train; it's money well spent. Children under 12 are free. If you have time, also visit the Trolley Museum which is very close by.


A great day tour that was enjoyed by the entire family. This would be a great class trip.



The ride to Moscow from Steamtown National Historic Site is an eclectic one recalls Ashley Gracile Road classics have nothing on these trains. Beginning here at the original D.L & W yards, the train will start off at a kind of urban setting and then travel on gradually meeting up at the foothills of the Pocono Mountains. The trains skirt along the banks of the roaring brook. 

On the 12.5 to 13 mile trip onto Moscow, you pass two reservoirs along the way. Upon arriving at Moscow there's a historically restored railway station where passengers are permitted to get off the train, view the train crew while they do their switching and run around crew at that site. GPI Content Corporation TV  crew filming  Distant Roads - An Ashley Gracile TV Series was enthralled by the whole process. 

Distant Roads Executive Producer Ashley Gracile made sure they filmed what the engineers do at Moscow; which is to take the locomotive off from the front of the train and run it around to the back. The whole operation takes about 20 minutes and gives passengers a chance to see history unfold in front of their eyes. Passengers can then board the train again for the ride back, but this time, the view is a bit different. Since the crew can’t turn the engine around on the tracks, it makes the whole return trip in reverse.

Ashley Gracile present Distant Roads at the Steamtown National Historc Site

This part of Pennsylvania is great for RV’ers says Ashley Gracile RV travel is best when you experience historic places like Steamtown where the trains, the coalmines that fueled them as well as some of the beautiful scenery here in North Eastern Pennsylvania just outside of Scranton are legend. 



​​According to Ashley Gracile lifestyle TV producer the serene, rolling hills of Northeastern Pennsylvania is one of the best places to experience some living history abroad an authentic 1920s coal-powered train.  As the founder of GPI Content Corporation Ashley​ Gracilevideo below shows his TV crew at the the Steamtown National Historic Site just outside of Scanton PA. So its all aboard as we board the Moscow Excursion for a ride on acoal-fired steam locomotive

Ashley Gracile presents RV'ing in Northeastern Pennsylvania

​​​Distant Roads - An Ashley Gracile TV Series

Once the passenger train pulls out of the DL & W rail yard, it takes visitors on a 2-hour journey to a simpler time.  

It kind of offers a bit of nostalgia for those people looking to revisit their roots.


But also adds that romantic look at the past when trains were the form of travel and rails were the elite form of travel throughout the country

Steamtown National Historic Site
150 South Washington Avenue
Scranton, PA 18503
General Information
(570) 340-5200   (888) 693-9391
Train Ride Information & Reservations
(570) 340-5204
www.nps.gov/stea/index.htm