Railroad celebrates ‘best year ever’ for passenger department
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - A pair of Reading and Northern employees stand ready as passengers board the first train excursion from Mahanoy City since 1994, seen on Sept, 9, 2023.
PORT CLINTON – The Reading and Northern Railroad is celebrating a banner year for their passenger operations.
The Port Clinton-based railroad said overall annual ridership approached 340,000 riders this year, the most ever. That total includes the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway and passenger excursions, including Mahanoy City Community Day.
In 2024, the railroad opened the Nesquehoning Regional Railroad Station at the former KME Campus now owned by the railroad. They held excursions to Tunkhannock as well as steam-powered excursions through the Lehigh Gorge.
This year, the railroad plans to host Iron Horse Rambles — steam-powered excursions — from Nesquehoning in the summertime, as well as a winter steam Ramble from Reading to Jim Thorpe in February and May.
Weekend train trips from Reading and Pittston to Jim Thorpe begin March 15 and tickets go on sale Jan. 13. Riders can hop on those trains at Port Clinton, Tamaqua, Mountain Top, or White Haven as well
There will also be special monthly trips from Reading to Pottsville this year.
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