Heritage explorer train general info
The Annual Heritage Explorer Train
Old-Fashioned Fun for the Whole Family!
The Heritage Explorer Train, sponsored by the Lackawanna Heritage Valley National and State Heritage Area, is an annual excursion to the City of Carbondale’s Pioneer Days Festival. The train ride includes a free activity guide, music, and more. In Carbondale, there is live music, plenty of food and children’s activities, and fun for everyone. New for 2011, the festivities include several new additions:
- Kids can meet the engineer and the train crew, and get their pictures taken next to the locomotive.
- An Art Walk features the work of the “Carbondale Crayons,” a variety of artists who work in various media including furniture making, glass sculpture, art, photography, and music.
- Free passes are available to use the facilities at the Greater Carbondale YMCA.
- Guided Trolley Tours of Historic Carbondale with tours at 12:30 and 3 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person, and seating is limited. Reservation for the Trolley Tours can be made by calling the Carbondale Historical Society at (570) 282-0385.
Typical Schedule
9:30 a.m. |
Boarding begins at Steamtown National Historic Site in downtown Scranton. |
10:00 a.m. |
Train departs Steamtown National Historic Site. |
11:45 a.m. |
Train arrives at the train station in the City of Carbondale. |
2:15 p.m. |
Boarding begins for the return trip. |
2:30 p.m. |
Train departs from the Carbondale train station. |
4:00 p.m. |
Train arrives back at Steamtown National Historic Site. |
Tickets
Tickets are available at all Lackawanna County libraries. Seating is limited for this popular excursion, and tickets generally sell out within a week. Many libraries start a waiting list in June.
- Children 12 and Under - FREE!
- Adults - $5.00
- Seniors 65 and Over - $4.00
Free Shuttle Bus
To accommodate passengers from the mid and upper valley, a free shuttle bus is available from Carbondale to Scranton. The bus departs promptly at 9:00 a.m. from the train station on River Street in Carbondale, and it arrives at Steamtown National Historic Site in time for passengers to board the Heritage Explorer Train. There is no charge for this shuttle service, but passengers must reserve their seats on the bus when they obtain their train tickets from their local library.
Information
Please contact the Lackawanna County Library System at (570) 348-3003.
