Visit 17 of North America’s most historic and scenic tourist steam railroads: from the frozen tundra of Alaska to the high desert of Arizona, the White Mountains of New Hampshire to the Black Hills of South Dakota, and through the prairies and mountains of Canada. Tour the Steam Town National Historic Site in Scranton, Penn. Receive a first-hand lesson on how steam engines work and the incredible amount of labor necessary to keep them in operation. Volunteer mechanics describe how every steam engine is a living, breathing being with its own personality — an “iron lady” with “good” days and “bad” days. The volunteers share their very real concerns that, as they age and pass away, too few young people are learning the mechanical skills necessary to carry on the tradition. Most important, ride along with pre-schoolers and senior citizens and enjoy the breath-taking landscapes that can only be seen by train and listen to passengers’ thoughts about how a ride on a steam train is like traveling through the past on a time machine. Grammy award-winning musician and storyteller David Holt hosts.
