PROJECTS

S​upport the Journey of Preservation with IHS

As you've journeyed through our gallery, witnessing the breadth of the Iron Horse Society's dedication to preserving the rich tapestry of railroad heritage at Steamtown National Historic Site, we hope you've been inspired by the tracks we've laid down in our mission. Each project, from restoring historic locomotives to educating future generations, is fueled by passion, commitment, and the generous support of our community.

Now, we invite you to be a part of this continuing journey. Your donation today will directly support these vital initiatives, helping to ensure that the legacy of the railroads that built America is preserved for generations to come. Whether it's contributing to the restoration of a piece of history or sponsoring educational programs, every dollar brings us closer to our goal.

Join us on this ride into history.

Together, we can keep the history of the Iron Horse alive for generations to come.

The Iron Horse Society has undertaken a variety of initiatives to preserve the rich railroad heritage at the Steamtown National Historic Site.


An old, rusty train car on railway tracks in an industrial area, with buildings and a cloudy sky in the background.

DL&W Troop Sleeper #3621

Fundraising in Progress

The Iron Horse Society, in partnership with the Lackawanna Chapter of the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society (R&LHS), is leading the cosmetic and eventual operational restoration of DL&W #3621, a former Pullman-built troop sleeper. The Lackawanna Chapter R&LHS has generously provided $10,000 in seed funding to kickstart the project.


Vintage green train car with the words "LACKAWANNA" and the number 335 on it, situated on railway tracks with a blue sky and scattered clouds above.

DL&W Coach #335

Refurbishment in Progress

Revive the Ride is a campaign led by the Iron Horse Society to refurbish DL&W Coach #335, a 1925 Pullman-built passenger car that’s been sidelined due to severe structural damage. With support from a $15,000 grant from the John H. Emery Rail Heritage Trust and a commitment from the IHS Board to move the project forward, we’re now seeking donations to help offset restoration costs.


Black and white photo of a vintage steam locomotive train with the number 3713, on the tracks.

Boston & Maine #3713

Fundraising in Progress

This project is a collaborative effort between the Iron Horse Society and Steamtown National Historic Site, aiming to restore Boston & Maine #3713, a “Heavy Pacific” type locomotive built in 1934, to operational status.


People watching a train pass by on the tracks near a green, wooded area, with some taking pictures and others observing.

Marketing & Awareness

Fundraising in Progress

Ongoing efforts to inform the public of the educational, historical, and recreational activities and opportunities at Steamtown National Historic Site throughout the year to drive increased attendance.


Old rusty locomotive with a red and black body, yellow safety rails, and a black and yellow striped front, parked on train tracks outside a brick building.

SW-1 Restoration

Restoration Underway

The Iron Horse Society facilitated the transfer of a transformative gift from the estate of Eric J. Yankovitch to support the restoration of a 1939 SW-1 class switching locomotive to support Steamtown National Historic Site operations.


A black tanker train car with white lettering and logos, parked on railroad tracks outside a brick building with large windows and numbered signs from 19 to 25. The sky is partly cloudy.

Empire Refineries Inc. #4753

Project Completed December 2024

The Iron Horse Society funded the replacement of wood running boards and the painting, stenciling, and complete cosmetic restoration of Empire Refineries Inc. tank car #4753.


An old black industrial machine or locomotive car with the words 'Jersey Central Lines' and 'CNJ' on it, positioned on train tracks outdoors during daytime.

CNJ #5 Asbestos Abatement

Project Completed December 2023

The Iron Horse Society funded and managed a $23,000 project to remove asbestos-containing materials from the steam boiler and steam piping on Central Railroad of New Jersey (CNJ) crane #5.


A laser cutting machine with a blue and black design, labeled 'USCutter', on a metal stand with a fabric storage pocket.

Stencil Cutter Contribution

Project Completed March 2023

The Iron Horse Society equipped the Steamtown National Historic Site restoration shop with a state-of-the-art multi-material cutter and computer system to produce graphics and stencils in-house, enhancing restoration capabilities.


A small teal-colored building with a red-trimmed window and door is located on train tracks near a vintage train car and a footbridge in the background under a clear blue sky.

Utility Shed

Project Completed September 2018

The Iron Horse Society repainted the car utility shed and companion locker. Both structures are located adjacent to the park’s coach yard and are used to store operational supplies for Steamtown’s excursion fleet.