The first electric railway in the world was developed by Ernst Siemens in Berlin in 1861. There were many experimental lines, with a few in the US. But the first commercial electric railway in the US (maybe the world) was established by the Scranton Suburban Electric Railway on 11/30/1886. The railway was designed by Charles Van Depoele and incorporated by Edward B Sturges. The railway was an intra-city line between downtown Scranton and Green Ridge (now a section of Scranton), only a few miles. The line ran continuously (except for repairs and strikes) until 1954.

The Lackawanna County Electric City Trolley Station and Museum commemorating the history of the trolley opened in the summer of 2000 in Scranton, PA adjacent to the Steamtown National Historic Site. The museum houses vintage trolleys, interactive exhibits and displays. The trolley restorations shop offers visitors an opportunity to see and learn about ongoing restorations of the museum collection. A 50-seat theatre and other displays present a history of the extensive trolley network that, at one time, allowed residents of Northeastern Pennsylvania the opportunity to travel up to 75 miles on trolleys. The trolley excursion departs regularly from the main passenger platform of the Steamtown National Historic Site. The scenic route follows a portion of the former Lackawanna & Wyoming Valley (Laurel Line) Railroad right-of-way as it parallels Roaring Brook and makes stops at the Historic Iron Furnaces and the north portal of the Crown Avenue Tunnel - one of the longest interurban tunnels ever built.

Directions: on the grounds of the Steamtown National Historic Site, downtown Scranton, PA off exit 53, Interstate 81.

Address: Lackawanna County Electric City Trolley Station and Museum
Cliff St.
Scranton, PA 18503
(570) 963-6590

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