What connection could there be between Oyster Bay, NY and Scranton, PA is a logical question. Scranton is home to the Steamtown National Historic Site created by an act of Congress in 1986. Administered by the National Park Service, a division of the Department of the Interior, Steamtown is home to many locomotives in operation, on static display and, most important for this visit, those in the process of restoration.

If all goes according to plan, Locomotive # 35, now in residence at Mitchel Field, should arrive at its new Oyster Bay home sometime later this year. The reason for making a trip to Steamtown was to gain firsthand knowledge from a professionally run organization as to their experiences in the art and science of steam locomotion restoration and maintenance.

The Locomotive #35 Restoration Committee joined a contingent from the Railroad Museum of Long Island, from Riverhead, on Sunday, Feb. 13, for a chartered bus trip whose final destination was the Steamtown National Park located in Scranton, PA. The #35 group had assembled at Mitchel Field to await the arrival of the bus which was scheduled for 9 a.m. Some members had arrived early, opened the group's trailer and had hot coffee and doughnuts on hand which were more than welcome on a cold but otherwise nice morning.

The waiting volunteers were treated to an unexpected, pleasant surprise. Prior to departing, President Steven Torborg unlocked #35's chain link enclosure and gathered the group together. He announced that his purpose was to present an award to one of the volunteers. Mounting #35's pilot deck he called upon Cathy Manning to join him. After a few complimentary comments Steve presented her with her "award."

A box, containing a model of a caboose - and inside - an engagement ring! In true romantic fashion Steve got down on one knee to make his proposal - which, to everyone's delight, was accepted. A more appropriate place, on #35, nor a more appropriate time, the day before Valentine's Day, could not have been found. For the happy couple and their audience a truly memorable day.

Leaving at 9:30 in our rest room equipped coach captained by our driver, Tony, we were entertained en route by watching videos of Pennsylvania Railroad equipment operating on the Long Island Rail Road. Pastries and soft drinks were served to accompany the entertainment. We made excellent time arriving at Steamtown a little after noon.

Entering the Visitor's Center we were greeted by Chris Ahrens, the supervising exhibition specialist who prefers the more descriptive title of chief mechanical officer, our guide for the day. Steamtown itself is a vast complex of displays (both static and operating), exhibits, stores, shops and a theater. Unfortunately, there are no excursions operating until May but the plus side was that it allowed the group to devote the entire visit learning hows and whys of locomotive restoration.

Chris brought the group past the turntable and roundhouse to the shop area not normally open to the public. A cavernous group of attached buildings containing the gigantic equipment necessary for the shaping, forming and machining of massive sheets of inches thick metal. Besides conducting us through the shop he gave valuable insights on why the preserved locomotives arrived in such poor condition.

The larger lines operating steam engines had many, sometimes hundreds, of locomotives of the same class in service. Rather than perform a time consuming, expensive overhaul it was more viable economically to simply replace an ailing engine with a functioning one. There were many surplus steam engines available with the coming of the diesel locomotive. The advent of the diesel also made it undesirable for a master mechanic to devote more time, effort and money than the barest minimum required to keep an engine serviceable.

Due to this policy many of the locomotives made available to preservation groups require a considerable expenditure of money, time and labor to restore them to a safe operating condition. In many cases this results in an engine being restored to better than new condition.

Safety is, of course, the prime concern of any rail operation whether on an operating railroad or a tourist line. Dependability and reliability is an important concern as the preservation groups usually have but one steam engine and, if they're so fortunate, a diesel for a backup.

Chris was joined by Jeff Miller who, while not a Steamtown employee, is an independent contractor specializing in rail equipment and locomotive restoration. Jeff hails from the midwest but spends much of his time working in Scranton. Both men emphasized the safety aspects involved by comparing railroad and museum practices. On an operational railroad engines are brought in for inspection, servicing and maintenance each week, or possibly more often, depending on miles traveled or hours operated. Most tourist-museum lines are seasonal in nature and their travel mileage is limited. Therefore, mileage or hours operated must give way to a strict time interval, weekly or monthly, to ensure safe, dependable operation. This results in reducing the chance of breakdowns and accidents resulting in increased revenues and customer satisfaction.

They suggested that certain portions of any restoration work could be done more economically and efficiently by an outside contractor. Due to the specialized nature of the work, skills involved and equipment needed, this would expedite any restoration project. Also mentioned was the substitution of modern, better materials for that originally used. Although this thought is heresy to some purists it was pointed out that the science of metallurgy has advanced tremendously in the past centuries and had the new materials been available to the original builders they certainly would have used them!

All present were aware that steam acting through the cylinders and pistons was what made an engine move but some were amazed to find what other chores this force performs. It powers a turbine which turns a generator furnishing direct current electricity for the cab instruments, headlight and classification lights (markers); it runs the injector which pumps water from the tender tank to the locomotive boiler; it powers the automatic stoker which brings coal from the tender bunker to the locomotives firebox and, last but perhaps most importantly, it runs the compressor which provides a supply of air for both the engine and train braking systems.

All in attendance were impressed with the ongoing work being done at Steamtown and the formidable challenges facing the groups involved in locomotive restoration. Perhaps more impressive was the cooperative, helpful attitude expressed by Chris and Jeff. All returned tired but excited as the day of Locomotive #35's move to Oyster Bay draws nearer - hopefully, before New Year's Eve, 2001.

Shop work isn't all that Steamtown offers. From May 26 through Nov. 5 there are 2 hour, 26 mile steam powered excursions run from Scranton to Moscow, PA on the former Delaware Lackawanna & Western. Call (toll free) 888 693-9391 for information and reservations.

The complex itself consists of a Visitor's Center, a Theater (showing an 18 minute film each half hour), a History Museum (outlining the human side of steam railroad development), a 1902-37 Roundhouse, a Technology Museum and a Gift Shop-Book Store.

Since 1998 Steamtown has hosted "RailCamp," cosponsored by: the National Railway Historical Society, the National Park Service, the University of Scranton and the Delaware & Hudson Ry. "RailCamp" consists of a one week session given twice each summer for the purpose of teaching young adults rail history and preservation. There were 19 attendees in the '98 program and that number grew to 47 in '99. What will 2001 bring forth?

A short stroll from Steamtown's entrance is the Electric City Trolley Station & Museum located in a restored 19th century mill building. This museum tells the story of electric traction and has many hands-on interactive exhibits for the enjoyment of the young¬and not so young.

Newly opened they expect to run trolley excursions over part of the Lackawanna & Wyoming Valley Railroad - a former interurban line that operated between Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, PA. For information their number is 570 963-6590.

There has been discussion of restoring rail service to Scranton in the future but at present the most practical way of getting from Long Island to Scranton is to drive. Anyone interested in making the trip allow between 3 and 4 hours one-way¬depending on traffic conditions of course. It can be done as a day trip but planning to stay overnight (or longer) will allow time to see some of the other sights in and around Scranton such as the Delaware Water Gap, the Lackawanna Coal Mine and (for the shoppers) the Scranton Mall!