TimesLeader.com

LHVA offering train ride to Archbald festival

The Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority’s “Heritage Explorer Train” program will return on Sunday, June 28, with an excursion to the St. Thomas Aquinas Church festival in Archbald.

Ride the rails for an old-fashioned, family friendly event. Boarding begins at Steamtown National Historic Site, 150 S. Washington Ave., Scranton, at 11:45 a.m. The train will leave Steamtown at 12:15 p.m. and will travel through the Mid-Valley to arrive in Archbald at 1:30 p.m. The train departs from Salem Avenue, Archbald, at 3:30 p.m., with boarding beginning at 3:15 p.m., and will arrive at Steamtown at approximately 4:45 p.m.

The church festival will feature traditional picnic food, entertainment, and children’s activities. Scheduled performers include Doug Smith’s Dixieland Band and the Jim Cullen Duo.

The train excursion is free for children 12 and under. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for senior citizens 65 and over. All passengers, including children, must have a ticket to ride the train. Seating is limited. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis and can be purchased at all Lackawanna County libraries.

A shuttle bus is available for those who want to ride the train one way from Scranton to Archbald. The bus will depart from the Rainbow Connection parking lot on Salem Road, Archbald, promptly at 11 a.m. It will arrive at Steamtown in time for passengers to board the heritage train at 11:45 a.m.

The event is sponsored by the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority in partnership with the Borough of Archbald, the Lackawanna County Library System, the Lackawanna County Office of Arts and Culture, the Lackawanna Historical Society, St. Thomas Aquinas Church and Steamtown National Historic Site. Additional funding is provided by the National Park Service and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. For more information, visit www.LHVA.org.