Reading and Northern Tourist Train

[dlagrua]

In Pennsylvania there is a 400 mile freight and tourist railroad based out of Port Clinton, PA called the Reading Blue Mountain, and Northern Railroad. It was the brainchild of Andy Muller who purchased an old PRR line and built it into strong regional railroad that currently serves 80 commercial customers; mainly anthracite coal mines. The railroad also runs tourist trains along the Lehigh Gorge from Reading to Jim Thorpe, PA. Its a two hour round trip on historic equipment and the R/T fare is $39.00. You board in Reading or Port Clinton and arrive in scenic Jim Thorpe . There is a 4 hour layover for sightseeing before returning. We booked the trip for later this month and it will give us an opportunity to visit a historic town, ride a historic route, see old RR stations and great scenery along the way. Great trip for railfans.

 

[MARC Rider]

I posted a travelogue back in 2022:

https://www.amtraktrains.com/thread...d-northern-steam-excursion-behind-2102.83629/

Fortunately, for me, this happened a couple of weeks before my trip.

https://www.amtraktrains.com/threads/fire-truck-drives-around-crossing-gates-in-tamaqua-pa.83628/

I was in the dome car, which cost a good bit more than $39. I might want to go back to ride the RDC.

 

[crescent-zephyr]

They also have one of the country's largest operating coal-burning steam locomotives (2nd only to the 611 by weight). Only for special events of course, but she runs several times a year and puts on quite a show!

 

[west point]

Oh, heavier than 4014???. Maybe you meant east of the Mississippi??

 

[crescent-zephyr]

Oh, heavier than 4014???. Maybe you meant east of the Mississippi??

"coal burning"