Scranton in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Oil House
Steamtown National Historic Site
Photographed by Don Morfe, September 27, 2015
1. Oil House Marker
Inscription.
Oil House. Steamtown National Historic Site. To run smoothly, machinery requires lubrication, and the steam locomotive was no exception. Before a locomotive could leave the yard, dozens of its moving parts had to be greased and its oil cups filled to the brim. While the fireman tended the fire and topped off the locomotives fuel and water supply, the engineer, armed with a wrench, rag and oil can, inspected and lubricated every moving part of the locomotive.
(Inscription over the image in the bottom left) , Greasing a locomotive
(Inscription beside the image in the upper right) , Oiling a locomotive
To run smoothly, machinery requires lubrication—and the steam locomotive was no exception. Before a locomotive could leave the yard, dozens of its moving parts had to be greased and its oil cups filled to the brim. While the fireman tended the fire and topped off the locomotives fuel and water supply, the engineer, armed with a wrench, rag and oil can, inspected and lubricated every moving part of the locomotive.
(Inscription over the image in the bottom left) Greasing a locomotive
(Inscription beside the image in the upper right) Oiling a locomotive
Erected by National Park Service-United States Department of the Interior.
Location. 41° 24.471′ N, 75° 40.29′ W. Marker is in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in Lackawanna County. It is on Mechanic Street. The marker is located near the Oil House (Bookstore-Museum Shop) on the Steamtown National Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Scranton PA 18503, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Pennsylvania’s Wyoming Valley. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Oil House (here, next to this marker); Tank Car (here, next to this marker); 1902 Roundhouse Office
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 2, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 531 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 2, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
