SCRANTON, Pa. — The Steamtown National Historic Site will close several buildings beginning today (Sunday, Nov. 20) to address mechanical issues with its heating system. These buildings will remain close until heat can be restored through temporary or long-term repairs, but the park will remain open and all scheduled events through December — including the Santa Train and North Pole Limited — will still occur, according to a Steamtown press release.
A failure of a parkwide boiler system that heats eight buildings, including those used by National Park Service staff and visitors, was discovered when partk staff began to prepare the system for winter use. The site is now attempting to acquire temporary boilers.
Closures include the visitor center, theater, history museum, and technology museum. The roundhouse, railyard, and grounds remain open. Because of these closures, there is no public access to heated restrooms or running water; portable toilets will be available outside. Also closed is the Electric City Trolley Station and Museum. The trolley museum is expected to have a temporary heating system in place before Thanksgiving.
Updates on conditions and events are available at this page on the Steamtown website, and on the Steamtown Facebook page.
I can’t imagine them using their sole operating small steam engine for this, especially not after what went into its rebuilding. I’m guessing that the heating system built around 40 years ago finally gave up the ghost. I’m hoping that they shut off and drain water pipes, etc. to prevent freeze damage, and that they deal with this very quickly.
Could they use one of the steam engines to supply steam to heat the buildings? I think this was sometimes done in the steam era.
That would depend on whether or not the heating system is a steam system. It may well be a hot water system which would have no mechanism to adapt the steam. Also, I beleive right now, there is not a steam engine available. It may be that an 0-6-0 is running, but I am not sure.