![Boston and Maine Railroad locomotive number 3713](/subjects/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/images/Boston-Maine-Railroad-locomotive-number-3713-cms.jpg?maxwidth=1300&autorotate=false)
Maintenance, Machines & Technology
Countless tools are necessary to keep locomotives and railroads operating smoothly. Efficient communication was essential to coordinate the movement of cargo and people. Schedules were organized, and a system of signals developed. In particular, railroads were one of the first industries to use the telegraph. Signal towers were sprinkled along the route and manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A complicated system of signals was developed as the railroads expanded. Railroads were also at the forefront of wireless radio communications.
Maintenance
![Open End Wrench](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/C4F9CFA5-AC28-8BEF-D53E2036EC3D6566.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown National Historic Site, STEA 509
![Alligator Wrench](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/C50D128D-E7E6-07EB-B967E96E820F9BC2.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown National Historic Site, STEA 530
![Bending Tongs](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/C6803369-BAE9-D42A-02442F3F0DD47E41.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 515
![Flat Chisel](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/C6BC7229-9B9A-8E59-03C870163A137FA6.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 548
![Socket Wrench](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/C6C843D9-CD0D-4F83-CC3888395F25B779.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 895
![Wheel Jack](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/C6D31426-009B-B154-6731A027BE2DB839.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 1602
![Oil Can](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/C6DE2378-B6E7-5984-3803D9386E7BA03E.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 3320
![Kerosene Can](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/C6E782F1-D406-3A85-464D33731C3D9A32.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 4789
![Oil Cup](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/FE149ABD-05E3-B7D7-6FFEC021BFA58C93.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 896
![Ratchet Socket Wrench](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/C6F423A8-07E1-E801-C9CC8ABA465EFC79.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown National Historic Site, STEA 2680
![Monkey Wrench](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/C71A5343-C15F-C357-D0D15D2CA44DC042.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 3828
![Wrench](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/C7322DA6-F8F5-53D3-A5FB24E9A8DEAEDE.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 6982
![Jointer Plane](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/C73DB8E4-D578-E01A-2205AB6BA4E44288.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 3231
![Gasoline Torch](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/C74C22E6-07FD-B249-2798B370B8661B1C.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 7004
![Car Knocker's Torch](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/C755E50B-0E2A-5076-45FB0476E3EFDC5B.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 5138
![Stenciling Brush](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/C7647D88-C952-B384-DEEFC8D8045C8502.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 7261
![Questions and Answers on Machinery and Air](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/C772997E-C957-27B1-0D55CFAED386145A.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 227
![Air Brake Examination Questions For Locomotive and Car Inspectors and Repairmen Engaged In Air Brake](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/C78046F3-F883-BD71-C3B0DE75830273D5.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 5444
![Baldwin locomotive no. 26 restoration](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/C79020F3-FE02-07D8-713150152056F8D2.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
National Park Service photograph
![Wheel lathe presentation](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/C79A1F6C-CD57-3C89-5E8E3AFFC19680EA.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
National Park Service photograph
![Baldwin locomotive number 26 restoration](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/C7BFF44A-B97A-0FB5-BDB93689A6E24EAE.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
National Park Service photograph
![Ring of Fire](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/CCDF012E-D2A4-DABF-A15B76E53F4A6880.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
National Park Service photograph
![Boiler Wash](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/C7D6614E-D5FD-5330-B3BB792148F8C029.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
National Park Service photograph
![Park staff working in the Steamtown locomotive shop](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/C7E2749E-CD1C-5029-6E68F1A18E5427DB.jpeg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
National Park Service photograph
![D.L.&W. Locomotive boiler](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/C81CC7C4-F0CB-C4CB-46606E40971B2C91.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 7469. B1390
Machines in Locomotive Shop
![Arbor Milling Machine](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/C952B1BB-D5A3-B250-B0A5863475905B0D.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
National Park Service Photograph
![Pneumatic Grease Gun](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/C95BC94D-F188-5112-4F08833390F6DF2A.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
National Park Service Photograph
![Hydraulic Press](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/C9661DD1-DEA6-B54A-7F9C5D9FFB787B88.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
National Park Service photograph
![Boring Mill](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/C96F57D8-CD10-4016-E75DE20619C2E407.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
National Park Service photograph
![Flanger](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/C9791FE1-AD38-38CC-852DB8DABB936BF8.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
National Park Service photograph
![Hydro Test Pump](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/C981F080-C843-3E47-F40E190001030FC0.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
National Park Service Photograph
![Shaper](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/C98B68F3-9D57-1846-D198A5BB0BA48D88.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
National Park Service Photograph
![(D.L.&W locomotive shop grinder](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/C99ADDB0-C30D-E62B-1C61E1F6138DE98B.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown National Historic Site, STEA 7469 Safety Misc 18
![Forge Shop interior, DL&W RR](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/CEA41BAB-9908-A31E-6A4CFE629982D0C0.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown National Historic Site, STEA 7469. B0813
![Radial Arm Drill Press](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/C9A6EA3E-D392-7F8D-D819905C1F1449B2.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
National Park Service photograph
![Wheel Press](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/C9AEDC0B-C9EC-0047-EB3BE1E14C172521.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
National Park Service photograph
Technology
![Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad accident documentation](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/CB8B98A9-A66F-1170-EA1C6A62F1625ABE.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 280
![Hospital Ward Table Car](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/CB994F64-E5C8-A043-B805DF905D397F9C.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 915
![Analomink Wreck D.L.&W. R.R.](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/CC3EFFBC-92B3-CD1C-6BB64E42AB3FCE54.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 5032
![Insulator](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/CC4A9F96-B5AB-3518-40921F392962BAE8.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 345
![Western Union Display Rack](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/CC53B4EB-ABFF-226D-8C36305B92F4FB3E.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 976
![Telegraphic Report of Train Accident Form](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/FF8D802B-EFC7-2DAC-37F6122F81753E9D.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 6004
![Instruction Book](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/CC781055-038F-0086-BECCB4B60377E007.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 3245
![Erie Railroad Magazine](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/CC7029DC-E35C-11A0-214FAA8032FC4A50.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 1401
![Instructional Poster](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/CC65ADA7-09C3-BAE3-4C38B6033FF1BC00.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 1305
![Relay](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/CC5CA558-9004-D2C9-169AD1A2F9A34164.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 2687
!["Big Boy" Union Pacific Railroad number 4012](/subjects/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/images/Union-Pacific-Railroad-locomotive-number-4012-at-night_banner.jpg?maxwidth=1300&autorotate=false)
Individual Locomotives
Replacement of iron rails by larger, heavier steel rails led to the production of bigger and more powerful locomotives. Improved wheel arrangements efficiently transferred energy produced by the boiler. Rolling stock became larger and more specialized to improve transportation of goods and passengers. Light wood boxcars, passenger cars and others were replaced with steel cars.
![Railroad Lamp](/subjects/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/images/STEA-2733-Railroad-Lamp-cms_1.jpg?maxwidth=650&autorotate=false)
The second half of the 20th century saw the decline of the railroad. Overbuilding, competition between railroads, and competition from the subsidized interstate highway system led to the merger of some large railroads, while others went bankrupt. The American love of the automobile has replaced the railroad as the primary mode of personal travel, and rail shipping has largely been superseded by trucking. While railroads will never again see the activity or track mileage of the early 1900s, railroading continues to be a vital part of the nation’s transportation infrastructure.
- Duration:
- 35.953 seconds
The Scranton Limited, sounds of the Baldwin 26 locomotive pulling two Central Railroad of New Jersey passenger cars full of park visitors, 2018
The yard shuttle, or "Scranton Limited," is the park's three-mile train ride.
National Park Service video
![Steam Pressure Gauge](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/CC967AC9-C8AB-E683-1AED2CE7829F216E.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 998
![Award](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/CC9F896B-A905-EA04-2C3B8C48F6189749.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 2701
![Locomotive Builder's Plate](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/CCA90D09-E24A-9FDE-37ACB6C1C0D20867.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 3210
![Brake Wheel](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/CCCC871F-E79B-6EE2-13F215C6BE6A99AF.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 3851
![Locomotive Builder's Plate](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/CCDB7D0C-EA87-14C9-53B32D9E9E8580C1.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 3212
![Light Locomotive Details](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/CD224A9E-B0C9-5072-AB736A2C440BBB91.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 7951
![How a Steam Engine Works](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/CD2D1E50-DDC2-D110-8A3EBCB6EB1C2AC3.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
National Park Service Photograph
![("Big Boy" near Lackawanna Station)](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/CCF4464B-B17F-38A5-1AEDBAE43AAE68F3.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
National Park Service photograph
![Western Maryland Railway instruction car](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/A31A2029-918E-66C0-0078C55B837DEEEC.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 1969
![Canadian Pacific Railway locomotive](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/A32F188B-D812-A914-7FDD9919848448FC.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
National Park Service photograph
![Baldwin Locomotive no.26 crossing bridge](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/A33A749D-F5D6-2258-AF33E1CCC1168737.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
National Park Service photograph
![NY Ontario & Western Railway train](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/64A8E83C-AD9E-5FDA-260B86D99150D6BD.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown National Historic Site, STEA 6
![NY Ontario & Western Railway no.3](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/64B85916-AABD-4A5C-7BB254AA6A92B432.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown National Historic Site, STEA 6
![D.L &W. Railroad locomotive number 832](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/64C318C5-F346-1420-CAD7D7AACCB03A2F.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown National Historic Site, STEA 1389
!["Cutaway" locomotive being moved](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/5FA7EA06-E468-6251-901D79BD9C90A751.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
National Park Service photograph
![Baldwin 26 leaving platform](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/5F8D5E0B-0282-0F38-67B03AD3F4EFBAD0.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
National Park Service photograph
![Park Ranger at Spang Chalfont boiler](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/602F8DDE-B866-14E9-514AF1E8F6A382FE.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
National Park Service photograph
![Dinner Plate](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/72796F23-B55A-3AB8-48C0C397055DF29B.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 1322
![Celery Dish](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/72546F29-D038-31A5-E9989B432AB7082B.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 745
![Deck of Cards](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/72856C1C-F49F-968B-ACCE3626653D37BC.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 4756
![Commemorative Matchbook](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/9EB7793E-CFF2-6092-5961A618FF8A33DD.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 7475
![Lehigh Valley Business Car](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/9EDA2844-AF7B-E87C-CA865A27814626A4.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
National Park Service photograph
![Louisville & Nashville Post Office Car](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/A0A3BB0F-DCFA-6EF2-83EAAF8C3204E742.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
National Park Service photograph
![Mailbag](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/A0B93AAC-EA87-1C10-E8ADFA86191BDB68.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 2861
![Louisville & Nashville Post Office Car](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/A0D14B10-07C3-E7FE-6831382D4E0AD167.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
National Park Service photograph
![Mail Hook](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/A0E20B0C-C317-891E-956D8DBBEDD0B137.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 3292
![Date Stamp](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/A0EC0E92-AAA8-B102-5380AE9765E02127.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 7093
![Vangieri Railway Post Office Collection](/common/uploads/grid_builder/steamtownlocomotivesexhibit/crop16_9/A0F73841-F10B-365E-BA788B748571AFD5.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Steamtown NHS, STEA 8146
Last updated: November 1, 2022