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Steamtown National Historic SiteWheel bearing service markings on a caboose. Repacked, Keyser Valley Shops (Scranton PA), September, 1952. NPS Photo, Ken Ganz
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Steamtown National Historic Site
Locomotive Shop Tour
Two of Steamtown's mechanics trim railroad wheels on a large lathe.
NPS Photo, Ken Ganz
Two of Steamtown's mechanics prepare to reshape a locomotive wheel on a wheel lathe. The sledge hammer is used for fine adjustment of the cleat which holds the wheels in place.

Join a Park Ranger or a Volunteer on a 45-minute look at what it takes to maintain and repair steam locomotives. This walk through this historic Locomotive Shop of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad allows all to see the huge behind-the-scenes system which helped every railroad run smoothly.

Departs from the Visitor Center. Included in the Park Entrance Fee. Possible heat and noise warning.

A fireman moves coal forward in the coal bunker of a steam locomotive to make the coal easier to use.  

Did You Know?
A large hard-working steam locomotive can use up to 6 tons of coal in about an hour. This means a fireman (the one who shovels the coal) might shovel 200 pounds of coal a minute. This is why railroads invented automatic stokers. Learn more about railroad jobs at Steamtown NHS in Scranton, PA.
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Last Updated: June 08, 2006 at 09:44 EST