Turret Seats and Track Roar: Ride the M3A1 Stuart at Steamtown Railfest 2026

Slide into history: ride in the turret of an original World War II M3A1 Stuart, No. 7073, during Railfest 2026. Located at Steamtown in Scranton, Pennsylvania, this ten-minute experience puts you in the crew seat of a fighting vehicle built by American Car and Foundry — the same factory that later built railroad cars in the region. The ride covers roughly a mile around Steamtown’s backshop area, and it’s loud, tight, and unforgettable. The core feature is the Stuart itself: a light tank designed for speed and mobility in North Africa and the Pacific, recognizable by its compact hull and single turret. You climb onto the hull, lower through the turret hatch, and strap into one of two crew positions. From there you feel the engine’s rumble, smell diesel and warm metal, and watch the suspension flex as the tracks bite into the rail-yard gravel. This is not a parade float; it runs under its own power and moves like a machine built for combat. The setting is as honest as the vehicle. Steamtown’s backshop is industrial—steel rails, weathered shop buildings, and a clutch of preserved rolling stock including DL&W Troop Sleeper No. 3621. A portion of every ticket supports the restoration of that Pullman-built troop sleeper, a tangible link between wartime transport and the rails that shaped northeastern Pennsylvania. Practical information matters here. Rides last roughly ten minutes and accommodate two riders in turret seats. Minimum age is 10. Riders must clamber onto the hull and lower themselves through a confined hatch; closed-toe shoes are required. The crew provides a safety briefing and close support but cannot lift riders into the turret or assist during the climb. The experience is loud and jostling—pregnant guests and visitors with back, neck, or heart conditions should refrain. What makes this stand out is the authenticity and local connection: No. 7073 was built by a Berwick-area manufacturer and now runs in the same state, operated by volunteers who restore and maintain these machines. The crew’s knowledge turns a short ride into an oral history session—ask about fabrication, campaigns, and maintenance. After your run, linger to photograph the tank and the troop sleeper, talk with the crew, and learn how your ticket helps preserve pieces of industrial and military history. Railfest’s tank ride is brief, visceral, and rare—the kind of hands-on history that hooks you on a single, shaking mile. Check in at the vehicle staging area 20 minutes before departure to sign your waiver and join the safety briefing. Seats are limited and departures run to schedule. Tie back long hair, stow loose items, and bring a small camera you can secure. Mechanical issues can cancel a trip; affected ticket holders are notified.