This past Labor Day weekend, 5,300 railfans descended upon Scranton, Pennsylvania for the return of Railfest. Held from September 4–6, the three-day festival transformed Steamtown National Historic Site into a concert arena where the music was the roar of engines and clack of iron rails. 

Railfest 2026 coincided with four major United States milestones: Steamtown NHS's 40th anniversary, the bicentennial of railroading, America's 250th semiquincentennial, and the 110th birthday of the National Park Service. The Baldwin Locomotive Works No. 26 took center stage as the event's main headliner under the Railfest 2026 banner "#26 in '26!" An every day Steamtown NHS staple, this small 0-6-0 switch engine rocked crowds all weekend as it pulled the Scranton Limited yard shuttles.  

An opening act of visiting rail equipment, including the Nickel Plate Road PA No. 190, the City of Lima sleeper car, and the public debut of a half-scale replica of Union Pacific No. 119, warmed up the crowd. On the side stages, families and railroad enthusiasts alike enjoyed cab tours of the legendary Big Boy No. 4012 and listened to railroad-themed music or ranger-led chats around the turntable. Some rail fans came dressed for “Life on the Railroad,” the festival's first-ever costume contest or participated in nighttime photo shoots. Best of all, general admission was free, with complimentary shuttles running between the railyard and downtown Scranton’s simultaneous La Festa Italiana celebration.  

Eastern National proudly supported Railfest 2026 on-site and online through America's National Parks Stores. To celebrate the occasion, festival-goers received a free, retro-inspired train ticket featuring a QR code that linked directly to event merchandise online. Store team members also guided in-person guests to a limited-edition t-shirt and hoodie emblazoned with the star of the event: the Baldwin locomotive.