This railroad, which is the new name for Rail Tours Inc, running out of Jim Thorpe, PA will begin operations with "dry runs" according to Ed Heck of Passenger tours on Reading Blue Mountain & Northern RR.
Cost is $11 for adults and $8 for children. Trains run at 11am, 1pm and 3pm.
The train will not go to Nesquehoning, but a different route, 8 miles into the Lehigh Gorge. Speeds will be as fast as 28 miles per hour.
No mention on the RBMN web site. The referenced article in the Allentown Morning Call, Feb 23, was sketchy on information, and of course, made no mention of locomotives or varnish to be used.
Notice of this was slipped into Flimsies without any comment from the chat board. This was a hot topic of discussion last year, and no mentions from us, even me, until now. I wish them the best of luck.

Hello all.

Before someone else says it, the Lehigh Gorge is not the new name for the RTI operation, but is an arm of the R&N as stated. RTI still exists as a corporate entity and has nothing to do with the new excursions.

That being said, I agree with Tim, I'm suprised nothing was mentioned before now. I'll definitely be down to take a ride this year, as I'm sure will many others. The reported "demise" of tourist trains in Jim Thorpe last year was a complete over statement.

In my personal opinion, every R&N trip I've ever ridden has been professionally operated with nice equipment and friendly crews. People aren't going to care WHO operates the train as much as they will about attractive coaches and a scenic ride.

I believe the addition of a much nicer ride along with much, much nicer equipment will ensure that there will be a train ride in Jim Thorpe for years to come. Regardless of the way this all came about, I think the end result will be a positive one. I only hope that a permanent future can be secured for the privately owned equipment in Jim Thorpe.

Yes, the way RTI was pushed out disgusted me, but there's a new ride to support. 8 miles huh?

If that's counting from the depot which was about milepost 118 on the CNJ, 8 miles gets you to MP 126/Penn Haven (M&H Junction on the LV). For the leaf peepers, that's nice. For the historian with an idea of what used to be under those leaves, that ride gets you the site of the coal docks at Coalport, Glen Onoko, the ruins of Hetchel's, Ox Bow curve and the planes at Penn Haven.

Of course, for the person sitting on the west side of the train, it's 7 miles of staring at the side of the mountain 10 feet away! So be nice and switch seats. ;-)

Rob