Planning and groundbreaking has already begun at the Pittston location on a station platform, ticket booth, and parking area. The railroad knows there is a strong demand and interest for passenger excursions in the Wyoming Valley, said Matt Fisher, RBMNs General Manager of passenger operations. CEO Andy Muller said in a release that the new excursion is funded without any public money taken from taxpayers dollars.. Tickets cost $39 per person from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Regional Railroad Station on Main Street in Pittston; $36 from Penobscot Station in Mountaintop; and $29 from the White Haven Station on Main Street. There will be a platform area, ticket booth and parking area at 718 North Main St., in Pittston. The excursion trains will be all-day, round-trip affairs, departing 9 a.m. from the Wilkes-Barre-Scranton Regional Railroad Station at Pittston. Pricing will be as follows: Passengers will enjoy their train ride like celebrities from the bygone era of streamline rail travel. Forget the noisy clickity-clack of trains portrayed in old movies. REGULAR SCHEDULE . Riders will arrive and depart from the 1888 Central Railroad of New Jersey station on Susquehanna Street, with its distinctive turreted roof. Its a 120-mile round-trip. I was very excited, because Jim Thorpe is a wonderful destination for a day out for a family where youre not busting the bank, Beers said. Click Below to Choose Your Train! The all-day, round-trip excursions will depart the new station at 9 a.m. sharp, making station stops at Penobscot (Mountain Top) and White Haven enroute to Jim Thorpe. They have included seasonal day trips from Outer Reading station in Berks County to Jim Thorpe via Port Clinton and Tamaqua, special trips from Outer Reading to Pottsville, as well as special excursions using steam locomotives 425 and 2102. EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) A new passenger train is coming to town right in time for summer! For these trips, passengers are provided with special options such as the ability to ride in RBMN's Crown Class Coaches and access to a dining car. This train will be the first in nearly 50 years to operate from the Wyoming Valley through the Poconos. After leaving the Pittston area the route crosses Interstate 81 and begins its climb into the mountains. Kat Bolus / WVIA News Guests will spend approximately four hours in downtown Jim Thorpe only steps away from many attractions on Broadway and Race Street. Tickets for the Reading & Northern Railroad's new passenger excursions between Pittston and Jim Thorpe go on sale at 9 a.m. today, March 1, and the railroad has a special announcement about. Whats flying in the sky over NEPA this week? Owner Beth Beers carries a line of goods including household decorations, candles, pottery, books, toys and specialty cards. Planning and groundbreaking has already begun at the Pittston location on a station platform, ticket booth, and parking area. Aside from the historic nature of the trip, many were eager to see the shiny black, white and red 1950s 'F-Unit" diesels that led the train. Matt Fisher, general manager of the passenger department, said their steam- and diesel- powered excursions carried around 250,000 passengers on that route last year. Kirby Center, Man shot on Sambourne Street in Wilkes-Barre. A Reading & Northern Railroad (RBMN) train is seen in Lehigh Gorge State Park. Tickets are ON SALE NOW for the highly anticipated train excursions of Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad's (RBMN) new Passenger Station, "Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Regional Railroad Station (at Pittston)." Train trips departing from the station's location of 718 N. Main S. Pittston Its a wonderful advantage for our local merchants in town, the more people are here, my job as the president of the tourist agency is to try and help the community and help the business community kind of manage that sense of tourism how can we best provide for the number for the number of people coming in on a regular basis, said James Dougher, President of Jim Thorpe Tourist Agency. Business owners devastated by fire in Monroe County. Clean restrooms are available in each Crown Class coach, and all windows in the coaches open and shut. day 2 driving 4 hours. LEWISBURG The annual fireworks display scheduled for Friday night as part of the Union County Veterans Fourth of DANVILLE A Muncy man is headed to Montour County Court of Common Pleas after waiving a preliminary hearing in BENTON -- A pregnant woman shot her boyfriend in the back during an argument over breakfast Tuesday morning in Judge: Nescopeck mans crimes pure evil. find more stops. Tickets will sell quickly and are available on a first come, first served basis. RBMN CEO Andy Muller always strives to enact positive changes along his railroad that reflects his appreciation of the local communities, the release added. The first excursion from the Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad is Saturday, May 27. Weekends are unbelievable, Ravenhurst said. The railroad put a lot of money in at Pittston to develop that area to make it a train station to have these day trips," said Matt Fisher, General Manager, Reading and Northern Railroad. It has expanded its operations over the last 40 years and now handles over 34,000 carloads of freight and 250,000 excursionriders annually over 400 miles of track. Wilkes-Barre, PA News, Obituaries, classifieds, and Sports, Reading & Northern to launch Pittston-Jim Thorpe train excursions, attracted railfans and railroad journalists from all over the country, 425 was the star of a well-attended Rotary Club of Mountain Top excursion last July. Saturday was the inaugural trip for the passenger train from Pittston to Penobscot to the final destination Jim Thorpe. There are things to do, a nice day out where its not going to cost you a fortune. More details regarding pricing and seating options will be announced in a future press release. The new facility, which reflects the railroads growing emphasis on customer experience, is funded without any public money taken from taxpayers dollars, Muller announced. PORT CLINTON, Pa. Reading & Northern will expand its passenger excursion operations in May, launching regular weekend operations between the new Wilkes Barre-Scranton Regional Station in Pittston, Pa., and Jim Thorpe, Pa. The tiny borough nestled in a tight mountain valley has over two centuries evolved from a center of anthracite-fueled industry into a popular tourist destination offering delights for all tastes. I think its a demonstration of a great present and future partnership.. We hopped aboard the inaugural ride that took passengers to the historic town and back. For more details or to purchase tickets, visit www.rbmnrr-passenger.com/. 'All aboard!' Passengers fill train from Pittston to Jim Thorpe B right and early, hundreds of people lined up along the train tracks in Pittston, waiting to climb aboard the first excursion. Tickets will go on sale at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, March 1. Get FREE Penguins tickets with an online subscription. It has expanded its operations over the last 40 years and now handles over 34,000 carloads of freight and 250,000 excursion riders annually over 400 miles of track. The railroad has run special trips from Luzerne County in the past, such as the steam locomotive excursions to Jim Thorpe sponsored by the Rotary Club of Mountain Top, and similar trips to the Pittston/Duryea area, but never on a regular basis like this. All excursions include free parking at every station, live narration, and interaction with friendly staff dressed from the rail travel period of the 1920s to 1950s. The trains will make stops in Pittston, Penobscot (Fairview Township) and White Haven before reaching Jim Thorpe, with parking available at each station. There also are similar standard coaches, with older style leather seating. (Though you will want to explore the side streets as well.). Over the years we have seen Reading & Northern put tremendous effort into marketing their services, from colorful paint schemes on their locomotives to bringing in classic streamlined diesels to pull their passenger trains, said Otto Vondrak, Managing Editor of Railfan & Railroad Magazine. JIM THORPE The sold-out inaugural passenger train ride from Pittston to Jim Thorpe is less than a week away and excitement over the historic day is growing in both towns. 2023 07:16AM. Andy Muller, CEO of RBMN, said the new passenger facilities construction is funded without any public money taken from taxpayers dollars. Reading and Northern boasted a quarter million train riders in the Jim Thorpe and Reading markets last year. Subscribers, sign in to access exclusive content. Posted: June 16, 2023. March 1, 2023 - Port Clinton, PA - Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad (RBMN), Pennsylvania's largest privately owned railroad, is pleased to announce that tickets are now on sale for its new regular weekend passenger rail excursions from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Regional Railroad Station at Pittston, PA to Jim Thorpe, PA, and return. For those who havent been and those who have Jim Thorpe offers a wealth of shopping, dining and historic attractions. However, food and non-alcoholic drink can be brought on board for the entire trip, officials said. The future site of a platform, parking area and ticket booth at 718 North Main St., in Pittston, for a passenger train excursion to Jim Thorpe. Anything in the metaphysical line. We notice a difference during the week now. Railfan photographers will travel extensively to shoot these vintage trains operating through the scenic mountain routes of eastern Pennsylvania anthracite country.. Car host Calvin Gerhard talks with passengers on a Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway train in Jim Thorpe last week. His shop also is emblematic of the towns quirky style. The highly anticipated train ride took off Saturday morning in Luzerne County and made its way into Carbon County. At The Emporium of Curious Goods, co-owner Barrett Ravenhurst said he can definitely feel the uptick in foot traffic on days when the trains are running. Theyve indicated to us this is just the beginning of what theyre going to do.. I think more people are looking for an alternative to driving the congested roads, and trains might be the answer.. The train departs from Pittston at 8:45 a.m. and arrives in Jim Thorpe by 11 a.m. The Pittston to Jim Thorpe grand opening excursion is Saturday. Reading & Northern has been repeatedly honored as one of the premier railroads in the nation including being named Regional Railroad of the Year in 2020 by Railway Age magazine. Im hoping that it not only helps Jim Thorpe and our economy here, but the Pittston economy as well, she said. Join Today! While most of them will be hauled by newer diesel locomotives, the passenger cars used on these trips will include a variety of the railroads vintage coaches, including Crown Class cars that have been upgraded with new seating that will be ideal for these trips. The new Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad venture will run . POCONO TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) Crews from several counties are responding to an active fire in a Lewisburg fireworks pushed back until Saturday, pending weather. Get updates and special offers via email from Trains.com brands! Air Quality Alert issued Thursday, June 29, 2023 at 23:18 EDT by NWS State College PA, Air Quality Alert issued Thursday, June 29, 2023 at 16:28 EDT by NWS State College PA. BENTON A woman shot a man in the small of his back with a small handgun during a domestic dispute at a Main 2023 Fireworks Schedule | Find a July 4th display near you. Reading & Northern operates both freight services and steam- and diesel-powered excursion passenger services, owns over 1,700 freight cars, and employs nearly 300 dedicated people. RBMN, with its corporate headquarters in Port Clinton, Schuylkill County, is a privately held railroad company serving over 70 customers in nine eastern Pennsylvania counties (Berks, Bradford, Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Northumberland, Schuylkill, and Wyoming). Get great snapshots of railroading history in Art Petersons newest book. The debut of newly restored 2102 last year attracted railfans and railroad journalists from all over the country, while 425 was the star of a well-attended Rotary Club of Mountain Top excursion last July. Sign-up for email today! Cost for Standard Coach is $49.00 round trip from Pittston, Penobscot/Mountain Top . PITTSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) For the first time in nearly 50 years, a train will operate from the Wyoming Valley to the Poconos. If we get people who come in, this is one of the places well bring them to. This Prime Day, save money on one of these cleaners that can make pool maintenance a breeze. For starters, the railroad last week announced a $10,000 donation to the Downtown Pittston Partnership. You'll receive some great benefits, including our Diamond Card with local discounts and deals, access to our E-Edition, a faster, reduced ad experience on timesleader.com, and more. Details on pricing and seating operations will be announced at a later date. This is yet another very productive step forward for the city, Lombardo told the Times Leader on Thursday. Saturday was the inaugural trip for the passenger train from Pittston to Penobscot to the final destination Jim Thorpe. If people are willing to come out to ride the train for fun, perhaps the railroad can also make a case for offering more regular service connecting the larger population centers of the region. This new passenger train will run from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Regional Railroad Station to. Reading & Northern Railroad, Pennsylvanias largest privately owned railroad, will begin operating regular weekend passenger excursion train service from the new Wilkes-Barre-Scranton Regional Railroad Station at Pittston to Jim Thorpe on May 27. The first excursion from the Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad is Saturday, May 27. Andy Muller, CEO of the Reading and Northern Railroad, smiles while talking about the success of the first train ride from Pittston to Jim Thorpe Saturday morning. February 14, 2023 By Roger DuPuis rdupuis@timesleader.com A Reading & Northern Railroad (RBMN) train is seen in Lehigh Gorge State Park. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Members enjoy 15% off any purchase in our store. You get to spend a four-hour layover here and there are just so many things to do, especially on the weekend, he said of Jim Thorpe. More details on seating and pricing options are set to be announced later. Standard coach tickets are $49 for the first ride. During the excursion, guests can also spend time in one of the railroad's notable dining cars which was featured in Alfred Hitchcock's movie North by Northwest. New passenger train from Pittston to Jim Thorpe. Reading & Northern Railroad is Pennsylvania's largest privately-owned railroad company, with corporate offices in Port Clinton. What better place to start up passenger service than the Pittston property at 718 North Main St., operating excursion trains to our most popular location, Jim Thorpe?. Click to sign up. Reading & Northern Railroad, with its corporate headquarters in Port Clinton, is a privately held railroad company serving over 70 customers in nine eastern Pennsylvania counties (Berks, Bradford, Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Northumberland, Schulkill, and Wyoming). A veritable who's who of local folks were among an estimated 800 travelers who took to the rails on Saturday for the. The all-day, round-trip excursions will depart the new station at 9 a.m. sharp, making station stops at Penobscot (Mountain Top) and White Haven enroute to Jim Thorpe. Tired of ads? While riding in the dining car, snacks are available to purchase with cash. Fireworks will soon be lighting up the sky for July 4th. Business owners can attest to that, and are looking forward to a new group of visitors when the Pittston trains start arriving. The Reading and Northern inaugurated passenger train service from Pittston, PA to Jim Thorpe, PA this morning. Beth Beers, owner of Everything Nice Gift Shop in Jim Thorpe, believes riders from the Pittston trains will enjoy the trip. Catalog; For You; The Citizens' Voice. The Reading & Northern Railroad (RBMN) on Tuesday announced that it plans to launch weekend passenger excursions between a new station on North Main Street, Pittston, and the popular Carbon County destination starting Saturday, May 27. An estimated 18 train cars will haul about 800 riders in style and travel from Pittston to Jim Thorpe and back, powered by streamlined diesel locomotives built in the 1950s. Tony Callaio | For Times Leader It was like one big Luzerne County party. The train makes stops in Penobscot and White Haven to pick up more passengers along the way. Also snapping photos were railfans up and down the line between Pittston and Jim Thorpe. The seats are spacious and comfortable and the ride is smooth. To come into town via the train just makes your adventure even better.. There are things to do, a nice day out where its not going to cost you a fortune. The train runs multiple weekends throughout the year, but it's sold out until July. City: round-trip one-way. Fireman's Picnic opens in Pittston Township, Travelers hit the road ahead of holiday weekend, Mural in Pittston raises sexual assault awareness, Jim Thorpe prepares for train passengers ahead of holiday weekend. Click here to submit a news tip or submit an event. RBMN on Tuesday announced that it plans to launch weekend passenger excursions between a new station on North Main Street, Pittston, and Jim Thorpe starting Saturday, May 27. The remainder of the construction will be handled in phases. Tickets will go on sale at 9 a.m. on March 1. Reading & Northern to launch Pittston-Jim Thorpe train excursions. People will be parking there and maybe having breakfast, and I want to see everybody successful and happy. Woman describes sexual assaults; defense attorneys say her story is inconsistent, Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen follows Frank Reichs path to become Colts coach, Author Reid hopes to inspire others with Life Rollz On autobiography, On with the show at the F.M. For passengers like Mark Davis, the trip brings back family memories of the days during the height of the railroad industry. Planning and groundbreaking has already begun at the Pittston location on a station platform, ticket booth, and parking area. The area leading to the station will be lined with trees and shrubs and will be a fantastic addition to the neighborhood on 718 North Main St., a RBMN release stated. ALL ABOARD Pittston, Jim Thorpe gear up for inaugural excursion 2023-05-21 - BY BOB KALINOWSKI Please see TRAIN, Page A4 . Check-in: Im hoping that this helps both communities.. The group promotes activities and programs that benefit local businesses, residents, and visitors. Parent company Reading & Northern Railroad next weekend will begin weekend excursions from Pittston to Jim Thorpe using some cars similar to these. Tony Callaio | For Times Leader It was like one big Luzerne County party. Adam Kuczynski, a Luzerne County native and skilled photographer who shares his rail photos under the name of Ditch Light Productions, cant wait for the trips to start. The debut of newly restored 2102 last year attracted railfans and railroad journalists from all over the country, while 425 was the star of a well-attended Rotary Club of Mountain Top excursion last July. By WVIA News Published March 1, 2023 at 12:44 PM EST Tickets are now available for weekend passenger rail excursions from Pittston to Jim Thorpe. Many of the shops, boutiques and eateries that give Jim Thorpe its character are located on this narrow thoroughfare that snakes its way west from the busy train station area high up into the hills leading out of town. Clean restrooms are available in each Crown Class coach. Now, the fast-growing, privately owned railroad is focusing attention on the Wilkes Barre-Scranton market. Unlimited Members, sign in to enjoy sitewide access. The Reading & Northern carried more than 250,000 passengers in excursions from Reading and Jim Thorpe in 2022, and says the new trips will be the first in nearly 50 years operating from the Wyoming Valley through the Poconos. View fullsize. RT @DiscoverNEPA: Get an exclusive look at the brand new Pittston to Jim Thorpe train excursion! Full schedules, more information, and tickets can be found at. EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) A new passenger train is coming to town right in time for summer! Fisher said that hes often heard from repeat rail passengers who discover theres more to Jim Thorpe than meets the eye. What better place to start up passenger service than the Pittston property at 718 North Main St., operating excursion trains to our most popular location, Jim Thorpe?. Don't miss this look at the history of America's most influential builder of locomotives. We are a small community based on buggy and carriage, so sometimes we get taxed with additional cars. It will be nice to be on board for the May 28th excursion.. New passenger train from Pittston to Jim Thorpe. This rendering depicts Reading & Northerns new Wilkes Barre-Scranton Regional Railroad Station at 718 North Main St., Pittston. From May 28 to September 24, regular weekend excursions from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Regional Railroad Station at Pittston to Jim Thorpe are led by diesel-powered locomotives. TO JIM THORPE, PA AND RETURN. In Jim Thorpe, meanwhile, the railroads Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway offers trips into Lehigh Gorge State Park that depart from the historic Mauch Chunk railroad station in the heart of the borough. A lot of people will say they thought that theyd see everything in one day, but they come back because theyve found that theres more to do, he said. The inaugural Pittston-to-Jim Thorpe passenger train ride is slated for Saturday, May 27, leaving at 8:45 a.m. While the trips are marketed to the general public as a whole, there is an entirely other segment of the population who are taking note: railfans young and old. A Reading & Northern train car sits on tracks near the future site of a platform in Pittston for a passenger train to Jim Thorpe. RBMN, with its corporate headquarters in Port Clinton, Schuylkill County, is a privately held railroad company serving over 70 customers in nine eastern Pennsylvania counties (Berks, Bradford, Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Northumberland, Schuylkill, and Wyoming). New episode every Wednesday. Part of I-81 closing this week in Luzerne County, Pa. to receive funding for broadband improvement, Farmers market, performances return to Wilkes-Barre this week, Funds announced for bridges connecting Pittston, West Pittston, New solar project at community theater in Wayne County, Panelists sought for Lackawanna County workshop, City planner shares yearlong study on Scranton's downtown next week, Decades-long missing person case ruled a homicide, Lackawanna Cut-Off progress chugging along. Railroad officials invited local media to Jim Thorpe last week to talk about the trips, and to take a ride on their Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway, which travels from Jim Thorpe into the gorge and back, and included some similar cars as part of the train. Passengers will get 4 hours to explore Jim Thorpe. Full schedules, more information, and tickets can be found at www.RBMNRR-Passenger.com or by calling the railroad's passenger office at (610) 562-2102. Updated: 4:58 PM EST February 15, 2023 PITTSTON, Pa. An old way of getting around is new again as a railway plans to make a comeback, taking passengers from Pittston to the Poconos. New Passenger Train Excursions from Pittston to Jim Thorpe, Reading & Northern Railroad announce ticket sales, All excursions include free parking at every station, live narration, and interaction with friendly staff dressed from the rail travel period of the 1920s to 1950s. If early sales are any indication, the Pittston trips are headed for success. In addition to its successful freight operations, Reading & Northern has become a favorite with families, daytrippers and railfans for its various passenger excursions throughout the region. The remainder of the construction will be handled in phases. PITTSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) For the first time in nearly 50 years, a train will operate from the Wyoming Valley to the Poconos. POCONO TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) Firefighters have cleaned up and gone home after a devastating fire Crews respond to Monroe County shopping center fire. Kat Bolus is the community reporter for the newly-formed WVIA News Team. Its clear theyre making significant progress, Lombardo said. The view from Skycam 16 shows the train chugging along into Jim Thorpe. Planning and groundbreaking has already begun at the Pittston location on a station platform, ticket booth, and parking area. Day trips to kick off May 27 from new North Main Street station. They have included seasonal day trips from Outer Reading station in Berks County to Jim Thorpe via Port Clinton and Tamaqua, special trips from Outer Reading to Pottsville, as well as special excursions using steam locomotives 425 and 2102. Reading & Northern Railroad, Pennsylvania's largest privately-owned railroad, announced Tuesday that it will begin operating regular weekend passenger excursion train service from Pittston to. Uphill one block on steep, picturesque Race Street, Everything Nice Gift Shop has been a fixture since 1984, operating out of a charming stone rowhouse. The Pittston to Jim Thorpe grand opening. This rendering depicts Reading & Northerns new Wilkes Barre-Scranton Regional Railroad Station at 718 North Main St., Pittston. For tickets, you can visit the Reading Blue Mountain and Northern website. Joan Lease, meanwhile, admired the accommodations on the train. Local New train excursion through the Poconos announced By Kat Bolus | WVIA News Published February 16, 2023 at 2:47 PM EST Listen 1:42 A Reading & Northern train car sits on tracks near the future site of a platform in Pittston for a passenger train to Jim Thorpe.