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How It Works: Backyard Railroads
July 28, 2019 @ 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
$30 – $35
Have you ever dreamt of building your own railroad? Join us on Sunday, July 28th, as we take the first ever bus tour to a pair of privately owned backyard railroads. These are not toy trains, but full size railroads located an hour from the Museum in the coal region. Although short, both railroads feature just enough track to have an operating locomotive and rolling stock. Each place exists because of the efforts of its owner, family, and friends.
The Chain Circle Short Line is a standard gauge railroad with a 35 ton gasoline powered locomotive built in 1942. The Tunnel Railway is a two foot gauge operation that runs a pair of electric powered mine locomotives meant to emulate the famous Chicago Tunnel Railway, which hauled freight underneath the city for the first half of the twentieth century. The Steel Street Tour buses will leave NMIH at 1 PM and return to the Museum around 7 PM. The tour will visit one railroad, make a stop in downtown Tamaqua, PA where guests can view a railroad equipment display and get a snack from nearby restaurants, then visit the second railroad.
Purchase tickets soon as attendance is limited. The tour is not handicap accessible. Footwear suitable for a variety of surfaces is recommended. There may be mud, grass, loose gravel, and places that require walking over rails. Although train rides will not be offered, the locomotives will likely operate for demonstration. Guests must strictly follow ALL instructions. Admission to the Museum is included with the tour, so guests are welcome to arrive early and enjoy the Museum.
Cost, including museum admission and bus transportation, is $30 for members and $35 for non-members.