Northeast Pennsylvania has a story to tell. From the earliest days of the industrial revolution, with the first locomotive to run on this continent, the first successful streetcar system in the United States, to one of the first producers of iron rails in the nation: America’s railroad system is rooted here.
By the late 1800′s, Northeast Pennsylvania and Scranton in particular became one of America’s mightiest industrial centers. Immigrants from far and wide came to live and work in the surrounding valleys. At one time, one out of every six “T rails” in America was produced in Scranton. Simultaneously, mine workers blasted away an enormous amount of coal, earning the region the title of, “Anthracite Capitol of the World”. Seven major railroad companies eventually served the region, along with interurban railways and a host of street railway companies. The story however, does not end there.
Today, Scranton and the surrounding area are still alive and vibrant. A booming tourist industry based on outdoor recreation and industrial history provides something for everyone. The region boasts a healthy railroad industry, a tour of a real coalmine, one of the nation’s premier railroad museums, a massive train station renovated as a luxury hotel, an exciting trolley ride along an old interurban line, and the original blast furnaces that fed the industrial revolution so many years ago. Sports and recreation, plenty of shopping, fine dining, and ample overnight accommodations also add to Scranton’s tourism appeal.
It is for these reasons that the Lackawanna & Wyoming Valley Chapter has been selected to host the 2010 Convention of the National Railway Historical Society. The convention, dubbed “Endless Mountain Rails” will be held in Scranton, Pennsylvania June 22-26, 2010. The Convention Planning Committee is already hard at work planning activities and events for this celebration of railroad history. In the works are several Steam and Diesel powered excursions, trolley trips, non-rail related activities, as well as in depth seminars and programs that will explore the rich history of railroading and industry in Northeast Pennsylvania.
Committee Email Addresses
Jim Ridolfi, Chairman
Ken Kertesz, Treasurer & Hotel Chairman
Carl Worthington, Registration
Dave Crosby & Ryan Mack, Excursions
Note: The images above are for illustration purposes and do not necessarily represent equipment that will be utilized during the Endless Mountain Rails Convention.