Reading & Northern announces series of special rail excursions

Port Clinton-based Reading & Northern Railroad announced the return this year of Iron Horse Rambles featuring steam locomotive #2102, will resume in 2025. Tickets go on sale Friday, Jan. 3 by phone at 610-562-2102 or at www.rbmnrr-passenger.com

On Feb. 8, #2102 will power a classic Reading to Jim Thorpe Iron Horse Ramble in its first winter excursion. The train will depart Reading Outer Station at 9 a.m., make a station stop at Port Clinton, and continue to Jim Thorpe; where passengers will have more than four hours to explore the town, take photographs of the #2102, meet the crew and ride on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway.

Passengers will be offered the chance to stay on the train and ride the “wye move” to turn the train consist to face south during the layover in Jim Thorpe. This option will not only afford passengers extra mileage but special photo opportunities while the train is prepared for the southbound trip. The train will return to Reading in the evening.

Reading & Northern will offer Standard Coach tickets for $79 per passenger and Crown Class Coach tickets for $99. Call the ticket office for additional upscale seating options.

The second Ramble will operate from Reading to Jim Thorpe on May 24 with the same prices and itinerary as the February trip.

The third and fourth Iron Horse Rambles for 2025 will feature the #2102 operating over the length of the Lehigh Division Main Line. On June 21 there will be a passenger excursion from Nesquehoning Regional Railroad Station to Tunkhannock for the town’s 44th annual Founder’s Day Festival. Departure time is 9 a.m.

The train will travel  through Lehigh Gorge State Park, over Penobscot Mountain, through the Wyoming Valley and along  the Susquehanna River to Tunkhannock. Tickets are $99 for Standard Coach and $110 for Crown Class Coach. Limited additional premium seating options will  be available by phone.

The final Iron Horse Ramble will operate on Aug. 23, from Nesquehoning to Pittston for the annual Tomato Festival. Departure will be at 9 a.m.,Tickets will be $99 for Standard Coach and $110.00 for Crown Class Coach. A limited number of premium seating options will be available by phone.

Source: Berkshire mont