Iron Horse Society

09/01/2026

The Summer of Big Boy isn't done just yet!

If you didn't get enough of the Big Boy hype this summer as Union Pacific 4014 traveled across the country or didn't get to come for the Big Boy Reunion this past June, come get your fill at Railfest 2026.

An original piece of F. Nelson Blount's Steamtown USA collection, Big Boy 4012 is on static display at Steamtown NHS year-round. Get up close and personal to 600 tons of steel and climb aboard into the cab with a park ranger. The cab of Big Boy will be open daily for tours all three days of Railfest from September 4-6.

Railfest 2026 will be the grand finale of the limited-edition Big Boy Locomotives Junior Ranger Book, available only at Steamtown NHS. Earn a unique badge and become an official Junior Ranger.

Image: Steamtown National Historic Site's Big Boy Locomotives Junior Ranger Badge. NPS Image.

#250

08/28/2026

Car 2764 is a sister to Steamtown’s Rutland 2777

08/27/2026

Who's that whistle from?!

Good guesses from everyone yesterday. But just what whistle will be on Baldwin 26 for Railfest 2026?

The whistle is from... 🥁🥁🥁🥁
Nickle Plate Road Berkshire 759!

NKP 759's whistle is a wonderful Nathan 6 chime. In 1973, the mighty Berkshire pulled its last public excursion train over the Boston & Maine RR and the Central Vermont RR. For the very last time, NKP 759's whistle sounded off on July 6, 1975 during a firing test after the locomotive had suffered freeze damage while in storage at Rouses Point, NY.

Come to Steamtown NHS September 4-6 to hear new life breathed back into NKP 759's whistle. For a full schedule of Railfest 2026 train rides and Baldwin 26 Run Bys, please visit our Railfest 2026 page at nps.gov/stea.

Image: Nickle Plate Road Berkshire 759 on the turntable at Steamtown NHS. NPS Photo.

#250

08/26/2026

Woo Woo!

What whistle could possibly be on Baldwin 26 for Railfest 2026??? 🤔

Image: A steam whistle mounted on top of a locomotive. NPS Image: T. Fenderson.

08/25/2026

Time to get some new Railfest swag.

Stop by the America's National Parks Store at Steamtown NHS to preserve your memories of Railfest 2026. Be the envy of your National Park Service adventure group and show them what it really means to be into heavy metal. A commemorative shirt, a fun puzzle, or a classic Phoebe Snow postcard, there's something for everyone.

Did you come to visit the BIG Boy Reunion this June, but couldn't get a shirt? Not to worry! Big Boy Reunion shirts are now available again at the America's National Parks Store, emblazoned with the Union Pacific crest and not one, but TWO handsome Big Boy locomotives. Stop in to find other Big Boy treasures as well.

Image: Official Steamtown National Historic Site Railfest 2026 design. NPS Image.

#250

08/25/2026

08/25/2026

08/22/2026

Ride a tank by day. Photograph the yard by night.

Railfest is Labor Day weekend at Steamtown National Historic Site, and the Iron Horse Society has two ways to be in it.

WORLD WAR II VEHICLE RIDES — Friday, September 4 through Sunday, September 6
Two M3A1 Stuart tanks built 50 miles from Scranton at American Car & Foundry in Berwick, plus an M3 half-track in medic markings — $150 for a turret seat, $30 for the half-track, jeep rides onsite. Every ticket is a fundraiser for DL&W Troop Sleeper No. 3621, the car that carried American soldiers to the ports of embarkation.

AFTER DARK AT THE PARK — Thursday, September 3 through Saturday, September 5
Three nights of after-hours photography with Steve Barry, $75 a night and capped at thirty photographers, with the National Park Service shutting the yard lights down for us. Steam on Thursday, diesels on Friday, and both Big Boy #4012 & Baldwin #26 with armor and re-enactors on Saturday.

Every one of these events sold out last year.

Tickets: https://www.theironhorsesociety.org/excursions

08/21/2026