July 8, 2025 -- The Lackawanna County Visitors Bureau, along with the Lionel Collectors Club, invites the public to visit the Lionel Train tradeshow and swap meeting Saturday, July 26, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel and the Hilton Scranton and Conference Center. There will be no entrance fee.

“We encourage the train-loving public to come to the convention on Saturday and see modular train layouts running, attend the model train show/ swap meet, and meet people from the LCCA and Lionel Trains. It will be a very special opportunity for train fans, and it is all free to the public. Bring the whole family,” said Mark Kempfer, Lionel Collector’s Club President.

The Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel will host the vendors for the tradeshow. The Hilton Scranton and Conference Center will display the train layouts.

Membership applications for the club will be provided at the trade show. New members will receive a badge, allowing them to attend the Steamtown Scranton Limited yard excursions that day.

Attending the event and applying for membership is a fantastic opportunity for train enthusiasts, as well as those simply interested in the history of Scranton, according to Kempfer.

The public event follows the 55th annual Lionel Collectors Club of America’s Convention & Toy Train Show, from July 20 to 26. Lackawanna County is excited to host such a special event and will serve as a perfect site, said Curt Camoni, executive director of the Lackawanna County Visitors Bureau.

“We are so proud to have been selected as the location for this year’s Lionel Convention. We believe we are a great fit for them and that Lackawanna County is an amazing site for conferences and conventions in general,” Camoni said.

The Lionel Collector’s Club of America travels the country, choosing cities with rich, train-centered histories to host club conventions.

Conventions include seminars on Lionel trains, junior member activities for children, receptions, and meet-and-greets.

While in Lackawanna County, club members will visit major attractions, including the Steamtown National Historic Site, the Electric City Trolley Museum, the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour, the Anthracite Heritage Museum, the Everhart Museum, and more.

Chris Calvey, the Electric City Trolley Museum manager, proudly welcomed the Lionel Collector’s Club and stated that “Lackawanna County Convention and Visitors Bureau has collaborated with area hotels, organizations, and facilities of interest to make this convention a success, offering the attendees a memorable experience.”

“The Electric City Trolley Museum has added additional Trolley excursions to accommodate the number of passengers who have made reservations,” Calvey added.