Steamtown in Scranton PA

Scranton, Pennsylvnia is the home to Steamtown. This collection of vintage steam and passenger equipment is operated by the National Park Service.

The exhibits cover the history of railroading, steam engine operation, railroad technology, restoration of steam equipment and outside storage of artifacts. Rides are offered in vintage equipment pulled by steam engines.

Equipment is displayed around an operating turntable

This engine is cutaway to show the operating principles of a steam engine

The wheel sets under freight cars are known as 'Trucks'. This exhibit showed various types used over the years 

For reasons of fire safety the lubricating oils were kept in a separate building, now the gift shop

Early Diesel engines were also on display

The roundhouse is full of classic steam engines

Even 'Critters' can be found there

Nice to see early Diesel engines on display

National Soaring Museum

Elmira, New York is the home of the National Soaring Museum. This area has the needed terrain to allow for unpowered flight of gliders and is the location for national competitions for glider enthusiasts.

The museum is a comprehensive history of the history of unpowered flights and includes examples  of gliders from all timelines of the sport.

This is one of the first designs of the Schweitzer Brothers. their Dad was most protective of the boys and did not allow them to ride bicycles as they were too dangerous, but in secret they built this glider and showed it to him just before completion and he gave his blessing to fly it. Turned out to be the start of a long history of glider manufacturing.

There are some beautiful cut away models showing glider construction.

They have a repair shop that works on things such as critter damage

Also many fine examples of glider models

Many methods are used to launch gliders. this is one method in which bungee cords are stretched by a crew while others hold the aircraft in position until the last moment

Notables in the sport are highlighted

Another launching method is the winch tow which rapidly accelerates a glider from a mechanism mounted in a truck bed

WWII soldiers were taken into battle in gliders towed behind powered aircraft. These were brave men!

Gliders can have a small engine mounted to give added endurance to flights and permit self launching