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On Track in Scranton, PA By Sandra Scott |
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When the station was built, depots were more than just passenger stations. They were gateways to cities, affording arriving visitors their first impression of the city. For more than 50 years the Lackawanna Station was an elegant introduction to Scranton. After WW II, with the increase in private automobiles, the interstate highway system, and decline in mining, railroad traffic through Scranton declined. The building began to deteriorate and was abandoned. Luckily, though, it was reinvented as a hotel. Today the station continues to welcome people to Scranton in an elegant manner. The Radisson has preserved this unique building, placing the elegant restaurant in the lobby and creating a menu of unique cocktails that are served in both the Trax Bar and in the restaurant. It was early
evening when we checked in. We needed a bite to eat and some
refreshment, so we headed to the Trax Bar & Grill. The bar is
adorned with crystal chandeliers and walls of green
Trax Martini menu has won several awards. And, no wonder. We were impressed with the variety of martinis: Ginger Martini, Pink Pearl, Pineapple Upside Down Cake, Tree Hugger Martini, and many others. Unable to decided I asked Sam, the bartender, for a recommendation. “How about our signature Trax’s Perfectly Pomegranate Martini?” Sam suggested.
In the morning John and I had breakfast in Carmen’s Restaurant, located in the lobby under the Tiffany stained glass ceiling. During the leisurely meal we had plenty of time to enjoy the beauty of what was once the main waiting room and examine the Faience tiles. We were able to recognize some of the scenes, namely the Brooklyn Bridge and Niagara Falls. Using a handy guide provided by the Radisson, we located other New York scenes, including Cayuga Lake in Ithaca and Squaw Island near Owego. The next time we pass through Scranton we plan to stop so we can try another one of their unique martinis and enjoy the beauty of the building. For more information check www.radisson.com/scrantonpa. |
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Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad dedicated its new depot in
Scranton. The Beaux Arts building included a waiting area with a
barrel-vaulted ceiling of Tiffany glass and halls decorated with
imported marble. Landscape artist Clark G. Vorhees created 32
Faience landscape panels to decorate the walls of the main waiting
room. In fact, the station was the first railroad depot in America
to make use of Faience tiles as decoration.
I had wanted to
visit this beautiful building for some time. So returning to New
York State after a trip to Virginia, John and I made a special point
to stop to see it. The neo-Classic building has been restored and is
on the National Register of Historic Places. Walking into the lobby
is to step back in time. It is hard to imagine that such a beautiful
setting was designed as a waiting room for train passengers.
Gustavino tile.
It is truly a unique setting. There is seating around the bar and
also by the windows that look out onto the tracks, but today the
only train that passes is the Scranton Steamtown Excursion Train.
I agreed and was
glad I did. Pomegranate stuck me as a unique ingredient for any
drink, let alone a martini. The Perfectly Pomegranate Martini was an
amazing mix of Stoli Vodka, a splash of triple sec, and fresh
pomegranate juice.