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Abstract

mmons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Boston_and_Maine_RDC_6127_on_Railroad_Enthusiasts_fantrip_at_West_Peabody,_April_27,1969(26151951526).jpg</a></figcaption></figure><figure id="7b1e"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*HvUnCGCxAmlo2fa-qnuA3g.png"><figcaption>Description English: City of Pottsville, PA, as seen by Nativity High School. Author Tc65306n. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pottsville_Skyline.jpg">https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pottsville_Skyline.jpg</a></figcaption></figure><figure id="ded8"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*zDBfbLfEYU6cN3t1MelMaw.png"><figcaption>Description English: 30th Street Station, Philadelphia. Author Jawny80 at English Wikipedia. This work has been released into the public domain by its author, Jawny80 English Wikipedia. This release applies worldwide. <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Thirty_St_Station.jpg">https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Thirty_St_Station.jpg</a></figcaption></figure><h2 id="4ef1">Natural Gas and Growth</h2><p id="dccc">There was considerable interest in natural gas drilling at Marcellus Shale between 2009 and 2019 in northeastern Pennsylvania. That meant RBM&N expanded operations; they took an outdated Pittson Yard and invested 90,000 in amusement tax. The railroad officials were angered, so they decided to fight this tax bill in court. The judge sided with the borough and not the railroad. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_Blue_Mountain_and_Northern_Railroad">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_Blue_Mountain_and_Northern_Railroad</a></p><p id="4dff">The railroad appealed the decision. They argued that the tourist railroad was “not an amusement.” Company officials threatened to leave the borough. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_Blue_Mountain_and_Northern_Railroad">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_Blue_Mountain_and_Northern_Railroad</a></p><p id="d358">The railroad stopped excursion operations and decided to try to negotiate with the borough to get excursions running again. The railroad arranged a new agreement, and excursions resumed in February 2020. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_Blue_Mountain_and_Northern_Railroad">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_Blue_Mountain_and_Northern_Railroad</a></p><p id="7399">Railroad officials purchased the 19.5-mile Panther Valley line from Carbon County. They paid $4.7 million on May 6, 2021. In April 2022, they bought the property of the former KME Fire Apparatus plant in Nesquehoning for a cool$ 2 million. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_Blue_Mountain_and_Northern_Railroad">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_Blue_Mountain_and_Northern_Railroad</a></p><h2 id="7676">Connections</h2><p id="2ba7">Restored steam locomotives #425 and #2102 are used by RBM&N to operate occasional passenger excursions. RBMN also operates the LGSR (heritage railway) based in Jim Thorpe. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_Blue_Mountain_and_Northern_Railroad">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_Blue_Mountain_and_Northern_Railroad</a></p><figure id="7770"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*r3H8N_RTd12qlehYXmQTpg.png"><figcaption>Description English: Reading & Northern №425 charges through Industrial Road in Nesquehoning with a Fall Foliage train, November 5, 2022. Author Fan Railer. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Reading_%26_Northern_425_Industrial_Road.jpg">https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Reading_%26_Northern_425_Industrial_Road.jpg</a></figcaption></figure><figure id="9409"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*iUsgO9x7TjDGwc9wF1We-g.png"><figcaption>Description English: Reading & Northern №2102 simmered away at Reading Outer Station on August 13, 2022. Author Fan Railer. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Reading_%26_Northern_No._2102_North_Reading.png">https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Reading_%26_Northern_No._2102_North_Reading.png</a></figcaption></figure><h2 id="0b92">Interchange</h2><p id="b54f">The term interchange means the practice of railroads conveying freight cars (foreign cars) from other companies over their lines. In other words, RBM&N agrees to allow other railroad companies to carry freight on their lines, or RBM&N may even take the cargo to the destination for the company. Of course, the agreement should work the same way for RBM&N when they haul cargo to the other railroad companies’ lines. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_Blue_Mountain_and_Northern_Railroad">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_Blue_Mountain_and_Northern_Railroad</a></p><h2 id="11da">RBM&N interchanges</h2><ul><li>Norfolk Southern Railway — Reading, North Reading, Temple, Lehighton, the historic Mountain Top Yard at Penobscot Knob, and Taylor.</li><li>Taylor connects to the former Delaware and Hudson Railway trackage in New Jersey, New York, and New England. The northern spur connects the yard in Binghamton, New York, and then to lower eastern New York state:</li><li>Delaware-Lackawanna Railroad — Pittston at the Duryea yard, which the RBMN operates.</li><li>Connects along the left bank trackage along the central Susquehanna River to New York State railways via the former Lehigh Valley Railroad through the yard at Sayre, Pennsylvania, reaching Rochester, Buffalo, and Erie, Pennsylvania</li><li>Lehigh Railway — Mehoopany, Towanda</li><li>Luzerne & Susquehanna Railroad — Pittston</li><li>Shamokin Valley Railroad — Locust Summit</li></ul><h2 id="e761">RBM&N Equipment</h2><p id="b7e9">Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad has the following equipment.</p><p id="8b0c">№225 Builder Canadian Locomotive Company Model 4–6–0 Quantity 1</p><figure id="05fc"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*9tWJS1iZq2fEJouKaCA_1Q.png"><figcaption>Description Canadian Pacific Class “D10h” 4–6–0 №1098 built 1913 at Steamtown, Bellows Falls, Vermont 8/70. 74 “D10h”’s were constructed or rebuilt from earlier D10 classes 1912–13 and withdrawn by 1966. Author Hugh Llewelyn This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license. <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hugh_llewelyn_1098_(5957808910).jpg">File: Hugh Llewelyn 1098 (5957808910).jpg — Wikimedia Commons</a></figcaption></figure><p id="c310">№250–251 Builder EMD Model F7A Quantity 2</p><p id="2b1f">№270 Builder EMD Model F9A Quantity 1</p><p id="3963">№275 Builder EMD Model F7B Quantity 1</p><figure id="1cd5"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*S0Ze51hgdu4X1kfzm07vnA.png"><figcaption>Description English: R&Ns ex-NS F-units 270 and 275 are between assignments at Port Clinton, PA. NS acquired the F-units in 2006, along with 271 and 276, and rebuilt all four to GP38–2 standards at its Junita Locomotive shops in Altoona. Author Jerry Huddleston This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license. <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Reading_%26_Northern_270_and_275.jpg">File: Reading & Northern 270 and 275.jpg — Wikimedia Commons</a></figcaption></figure><p id="4bd2">№425 Builder Baldwin Locomotive Works Model 4–6–2 Quantity 1</p><figure id="b037"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*5set0S-fupP0uKBnF6m6rQ.png"><figcaption>Description English: 425 rests in Jim Thorpe after a day of pulling Lehigh Gorge trains. Author Fan Railer This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:RBM%26N_425_Jim_Thorpe.png">File: RBM&N 425 Jim Thorpe.png — Wikimedia Commons</a></figcaption></figure><p id="d840">№2102 Builder RDG Model T-1 (4–8–4) Quantity 1</p><figure id="de79"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*ulaACK_bUkFlpVtGYKAvTQ.png"><figcaption>Description English: Reading & Northern №2102 & №425 await departure from Reading Outer Station with Iron Horse Rambles excursion train. Author Fan Railer. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Reading_%26_Northern_No._2102_Reading_Outer.png">File: Reading & Northern №2102 Reading Outer.png — Wikimedia Commons</a></figcaption></figure><p id="0808">№9166 Builder Budd Model RDC-3 Quantity 1</p><p id="fae1">№9167–9168 Builder Budd Model RDC-1 Quantity 2

Options

</p><p id="001d">№800–801 Builder EMD Model SW8 Quantity 2</p><p id="ebf7">№802–803 Builder EMD Model SW8M Quantity 2</p><p id="6a4c">№1540–1543 Builder EMD Model MP15 Quantity 4</p><figure id="c56d"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*ddmrt5zN0b4MpI1GDo-zzA.png"><figcaption>English A modern US switcher, an EMD MP15DC. Attribution: Harvey Henkelmann, the copyright holder of this file, Harvey Henkelmann, allows anyone to use it for any purpose, provided that the copyright holder is attributed. Redistribution, derivative work, commercial use, and all other use is permitted. <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MP15DC.jpg">https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MP15DC.jpg</a></figcaption></figure><p id="4368">№1546, 1548 Builder EMD Model SW1500 Quantity 2</p><figure id="a944"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*7_x2lQDs6FvGBFdVr0u7gA.png"><figcaption>Description English: Nirc 4, an EMD SW1500, prepares to perform switching duties near Chicago Union Station. Author FranklinC55. This work has been released into the public domain by its author, FranklinC55. This release applies worldwide. <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Metra4sw1500.jpg">https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Metra4sw1500.jpg</a></figcaption></figure><p id="5e38">№2000, 2003, 2004 Builder EMD Model SD38 Quantity 3</p><figure id="599f"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*dVyvuI-A3_2U8TKYq8YUwQ.png"><figcaption>Description English: NS SD38 №3809 and NS MT6 slug №978 at Buckeye Yard in Columbus, Ohio. Author MeRyan. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license. <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NS_locomotive_3809_in_Buckeye_Yard,_(Columbus,_Ohio).jpg">https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NS_locomotive_3809_in_Buckeye_Yard,_(Columbus,_Ohio).jpg</a></figcaption></figure><p id="7359">№2010–2107 Builder EMD Model GP-38–2 Quantity 8</p><figure id="fb5f"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*DErqAveXBzzGC7Zx2mtAbA.png"><figcaption>Description English: BNSF Railway GP38–2 no. 2273 at Lincoln, Nebraska, in 2014. Author Augy8400. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BNSF_2273_Lincoln,_NE_3-13-14.jpg">https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BNSF_2273_Lincoln,_NE_3-13-14.jpg</a></figcaption></figure><p id="440e">№2530–2535 Builder EMD Model GP39RN Quantity 6</p><figure id="16a3"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*N9vZDnl59OEnxgyotpBFEQ.png"><figcaption>RBMN 2534 (GP39), Allentown, PA. Author Dick Leonhardt. Unable to determine if copyright exists. <a href="http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5139942">http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5139942</a></figcaption></figure><p id="b24d">№198Ex 3062), 3050–3061, 3063–3069 Builder EMD Model SD40–2 Quantity 20</p><figure id="47e3"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*a3zxYX16muIzsY5iANEJGQ.png"><figcaption>Description Montana Rail Link XDM SD40–2 diesel locomotive #250. Photograph by S.L. Dixon, at Everett, Washington, USA, January 1994. Released under the GFDL by the photographer, edited and uploaded here by User: Morven. Author S.L. Dixon. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license. <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MRL_250.jpg">https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MRL_250.jpg</a></figcaption></figure><p id="30f5">№5014, 5017, 5022 Builder EMD Model SD50 Quantity 3</p><figure id="95fe"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*Ygtsy9vR_BuCiVnlQdlg3Q.png"><figcaption>Description English: Kansas City Southern EMD SD50 locomotive. Author Jungmeister. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license. <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:EMD_SD50.JPG">https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:EMD_SD50.JPG</a></figcaption></figure><p id="e336">№5018–5021 Builder EMD Model SD50–2 Quantity 4 No photo available.</p><p id="2e6c">№5033, 5049 Builder EMD Model SD50M Quantity 2 see the photo above for the SD50.</p><h2 id="4144">Passenger excursions</h2><figure id="c50f"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*xEL_9GNKPHuoFCJ_Lvbu7Q.png"><figcaption>Description English: Reading & Northern 1546 leads the 1 PM Return Train of the LGSRY. Author UpperLehighRailfan. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:RBMN1546LGSRY.jpg">https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:RBMN1546LGSRY.jpg</a></figcaption></figure><h2 id="50ba">Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway (LGSR) Now</h2><p id="75ef">Now, let’s discover the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway together. We already know it is part of the Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad that runs passenger services. Its headquarters are in Port Clinton, Pennsylvania.</p><p id="1fba">The services run out of Jim Thorpe. It runs on a 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in standard gauge track. It is a tourist railroad that operates passenger excursions on 16 miles of track. The website for this railway is <a href="http://www.lgsry.com">www.lgsry.com</a>.</p><p id="7ef8">It uses the tracks from the former Central Railroad of New Jersey station in Jim Thorpe and runs to Old Penn Haven. The train runs along the Lehigh River through the Lehigh Gorge State Park. Excursions are available between May and December on weekends, holidays, and some weekdays.</p><p id="5c49">It takes about 70 minutes to take the trip out of Jim Thorpe. When the leaves turn in October, the company operates abbreviated 45-minute trips so passengers can view the fall foliage in the park. The railway offers several special excursions.</p><p id="6cca">A 30-mile, 2-hour round trip on the Hometown High Bridge train runs from Jim Thorpe through Nesquehoning on the first weekend in October. The bridge the train crosses is over the Little Schuylkill River at an elevation of 168 feet. This trip is also a great way to view fall foliage.</p><p id="6f5a">The Bike Train is a 25-mile, 1-hour one-way trip from Jim Thorpe to White Haven. In White Haven, passengers get off the train, collect their bikes, and ride their bikes along the Lehigh Gorge Trail back to Jim Thorpe.</p><figure id="77b9"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*9V3JRDE29dA2bVoc0qqb_A.png"><figcaption>Description White Haven, Pennsylvania. Author Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license. <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:White_Haven,_Pennsylvania_(4037154290).jpg">https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:White_Haven,_Pennsylvania_(4037154290).jpg</a></figcaption></figure><p id="b0df">The railway offers the Santa Claus Special train for the younger crowd and their families. The train runs from Jim Thorpe starting the day after Thanksgiving until the weekend before Christmas. A jolly old fellow with a long white beard and an outfit of red and black will visit the children aboard the train. You can get additional information at <a href="https://www.poconomountains.com/event/santa-claus-special/15010/">Santa Claus Special | Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway | Jim Thorpe, PA 18229 (poconomountains.com)</a></p><figure id="c6cf"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/0*GyYXL0pSRBCDMF7E"><figcaption>Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@matthewlejune?utm_source=medium&utm_medium=referral">Matthew LeJune</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com?utm_source=medium&utm_medium=referral">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure><p id="761f">The railway trains are diesel-powered. The train consists of an open-air car, standard coaches, a gondola car that allows passengers to transport their bicycles aboard the train and ride their bikes back to Jim Thorpe, and a caboose. Passengers can ride from the Reading Outer Station outside Reading on Rail Diesel Car trains to Jim Thorpe.</p><p id="c234">There is an intermediate stop at Port Clinton. Trains run from Reading and Port Clinton to Jim Thorpe in the morning. The return trip leaves Jim Thorpe in the late afternoon and returns to Port Clinton and Reading in the evening. The timing allows passengers to take their time, explore, and see things in Jim Thorpe. Availability is on select weekends and holidays from May to November.</p><h2 id="68dc">New Station/Service</h2><p id="d206">On May 27, 2023, the RBM&N began service from their new Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Regional Railroad Station in Pittson to Jim Thorpe and back<b>. </b>For additional information on RBM&N services, please go to <a href="https://www.rbmnrr-passenger.com/our-trains">Our Trains — Reading Blue Mountain & Northern: Passenger (rbmnrr-passenger.com)</a></p><p id="94e7">Anyone interested in additional information about the Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railway can find it at the following:</p><h2 id="48ef">Further reading</h2><ul><li><i>Bednar, Mike (1998). Anthracite Rebirth: Story of the Reading and Northern Railroad (1st ed.). Garrigues House Publication. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-9620844-9-2">0–9620844–9–2</a>.</i></li></ul><p id="49ba">For even more information on this railroad, please go to:</p><p id="37df"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Reading_Blue_Mountain_and_Northern_Railroad"><b><i>Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad</i></b></a><b>.</b></p><h2 id="0598">Official website</h2><h2 id="3796">Additional information on Pennsylvania railroads:</h2><ul><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Pennsylvania_railroads">Pennsylvania railroads</a></li><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Spin-offs_of_Conrail">Spin-offs of Conrail</a></li><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Tourist_attractions_in_Berks_County,_Pennsylvania">Tourist attractions in Berks County, Pennsylvania</a></li><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Tourist_attractions_in_Schuylkill_County,_Pennsylvania">Tourist attractions in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania</a></li><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Transportation_in_Berks_County,_Pennsylvania">Transportation in Berks County, Pennsylvania</a></li></ul><p id="6269"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Heritage_railroads_in_Pennsylvania">Heritage railroads in Pennsylvania</a></p><h2 id="90eb">Conclusion</h2><p id="4b50">This is the end of this article. We looked at an introduction, launch, growth, Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway (LGSR), SEPTA, Natural gas and growth, audit, connections, interchange definition, RBM&N interchanges, Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway (LGSR) Now, RBM&N equipment, passenger excursions, New Station/Service, further reading, RBMN official website, additional information on Pennsylvania railroads.</p><p id="054f">We hope you enjoyed reading about this vital railroad, and if you are ever in the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway area, you will take some rest and relaxation time and perhaps take an excursion of your choice. You will enjoy riding the train and learning more.</p><p id="d4d3">Please consider joining Medium, and please join my email list. When I write something new, the system will notify you. My writing success depends on readers like you who appreciate and support my writing. Thanks so much for taking the time to read and help me.</p></article></body>

Spectacular Railroad Business Focus Made Mind-blowing Services Reality

Beautiful Train Excursions and Superior Cargo Service - Thrilled Customers

Description Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad depot, Port Clinton, Schuylkill County. Author Nicholas. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Port_Clinton_Depot.jpg

Introduction

I want to share today’s Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad (RBM&N) story. In this article, we will look at an introduction, launch, growth, Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway, SEPTA, Natural gas and development, audit, connections, interchange definition, RBM&N interchanges, RBM&N equipment, LGSR Now, passenger excursions, New Station/Service, further reading, RBM&N official website, additional information on Pennsylvania railroads. So, let’s get started, shall we?

This regional railroad is in eastern Pennsylvania. Its headquarters are in Port Clinton, Pennsylvania. It is a cargo hauler on its 400 miles of 4 ft 8+1⁄2-inch standard gauge tracks. The mainline has two divisions: the Reading Division runs from Reading to Packerton, and the Lehigh Division runs from Lehighton to Dupont. Anthracite coal is the main cargo hauled on this line. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_Blue_Mountain_and_Northern_Railroad

Description English: Signs at the Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad Station in Port Clinton, Pennsylvania. Author Zeete. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Station_railroad_signs,_Port_Clinton,_PA.jpg

Description English: The Reading Terminal in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Author Jersey856. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. File: The Reading Terminal.jpg — Wikimedia Commons

Packerton is a village in Mahoning Township, Carbon County, Pennsylvania, on the Lehigh River and U.S. Route 209 between Jim Thorpe and Leighton. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_Blue_Mountain_and_Northern_Railroad

English Clockwise: Beltzville State Park, Beltzville Lake, Bowmanstown, Packerton. Author Ryan Kautz. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. File: Carbon County Pennsylvania 2015.jpg — Wikimedia Commons

Description English: A postcard of the Lehigh Valley Railroad station in Lehighton, Pennsylvania. Author Post Card Dist. This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published (or registered with the U.S. Copyright Office) before January 1, 1928. File: Lehighton station postcard.jpg — Wikimedia Commons

Description English: Dupont, PA panorama from Pittston Township. I-81, and MALSR approach system for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport can be seen in the background. Author Vasiliy Meshko. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license. File: Dupont Pano.jpg — Wikimedia Commons

Passenger Services

Passenger services are provided by this railroad from Reading and Port Clinton to Jim Thorpe. The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway (LGSR) offers service between Jim Thorpe and Lehigh Gorge State Park. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_Blue_Mountain_and_Northern_Railroad

Description At Lehigh Gorge State Park, Pennsylvania; Rockport access. Author John D. from SE Pennsylvania, USA. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license. File: LGSP Rockport access.jpg — Wikimedia Commons

Launch

In 1983, this railroad began serving its customers. It aimed to provide freight service on the former Pennsylvania Railroad Schuylkill Division between Hamburg and Temple. The railroad began offering passenger service in 1985. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_Blue_Mountain_and_Northern_Railroad

The Blue Mountain &Reading (BM&R) railroad began operating passenger excursions over the line using two steam locomotives: ex-Gulf, Mobile, and Northern Railroad 4–6–2 №425 and ex-Reading Company T-1 4–8–4 №2102. BM&R also began operating three more state-owned lines, including the Colebrookdale branches. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_Blue_Mountain_and_Northern_Railroad

The railroad partnered with the Reading Company Technical and Historical Society, which leased track space in Leesport and, in return, leased two diesel locomotives and assorted passenger cars for use on the line. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_Blue_Mountain_and_Northern_Railroad

Description English: Aerial view of Hamburg, PA, looking northwest toward the Blue Mountain and Schuylkill water gap. Author Dronesquad2. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hamburg_PA_aerial.jpg

Description English: U.S. Census Bureau map of Temple, Pennsylvania. Author United States Census Bureau. This image or file is the work of a United States Census Bureau employee, taken or made as part of that person’s official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, the image is in the public domain. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:U.S._Census_Bureau_map_of_Temple,_Pennsylvania.gif

Growth

BM&R took over 150 miles of track in the Coal Region north of Reading in 1990. Then, the company renamed itself the Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad (RBMN). They moved their headquarters from Hamburg to Port Clinton. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_Blue_Mountain_and_Northern_Railroad

RBM&N acquired more lines in northeastern Pennsylvania during the 1990s and 2000s. They procured existing lines of the Reading Railroad, Central Railroad of New Jersey, and Lehigh Valley Railroad heritage. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_Blue_Mountain_and_Northern_Railroad

RBM&N wanted to provide services that their customers would appreciate and use. They made some changes in the mid-1990s. The railroad stopped scheduled passenger operations between Hamburg and Temple. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_Blue_Mountain_and_Northern_Railroad

The railroad then focused on occasional excursions throughout the rest of its system. The partnership between the railroad and the technical and historical society had run its course. The club still leased track space in Leesport until 2008. Then, they moved to the Hamburg yard and opened the Reading Railroad Heritage Museum. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_Blue_Mountain_and_Northern_Railroad

Steam operations continued, and in 1995, №425 was present at the grand opening of Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton. №425 remained at Steamtown until 1997. The railroad stopped using steam operations between 1998 and 2008. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_Blue_Mountain_and_Northern_Railroad

Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway

Because the railroad had stopped steam operations, it was only a short time before the LGSR in Jim Thorpe began offering excursions. The train was refurbished Rail Diesel Cars built by the Budd Company in the 1950s. The train operated along the Pottsville Line between Pottsville and Philadelphia via Reading until SEPTA discontinued diesel service in 1981. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_Blue_Mountain_and_Northern_Railroad

SEPTA

SEPTA is the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority. It is a regional public transportation authority that operates buses, rapid transit, commuter rail, light rail, and electric trolleybus services for almost four million people around Philadelphia. SEPTA. (2023, September 29). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SEPTA

Boston and Maine Railroad Budd 4-car RDC train in 1969 — author Roger Puta. Mel Finzer, the heir of this work’s copyright holder (the creator), has released it into the public domain. This release applies worldwide. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Boston_and_Maine_RDC_6127_on_Railroad_Enthusiasts_fantrip_at_West_Peabody,_April_27,_1969_(26151951526).jpg

Description English: City of Pottsville, PA, as seen by Nativity High School. Author Tc65306n. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pottsville_Skyline.jpg

Description English: 30th Street Station, Philadelphia. Author Jawny80 at English Wikipedia. This work has been released into the public domain by its author, Jawny80 English Wikipedia. This release applies worldwide. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Thirty_St_Station.jpg

Natural Gas and Growth

There was considerable interest in natural gas drilling at Marcellus Shale between 2009 and 2019 in northeastern Pennsylvania. That meant RBM&N expanded operations; they took an outdated Pittson Yard and invested $100K. This yard was between Scranton and Wilkes Barre. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_Blue_Mountain_and_Northern_Railroad

The railroad was growing, so they purchased two new locomotives, 101 rail cars, and 6 miles of track between Monroe (a.k.a. Monroeton) and Towanda. Much of the northeastern Marcellus Shale economic activity was taking place there. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_Blue_Mountain_and_Northern_Railroad

Description English: United Methodist Church in Monroe, Bradford County, Pennsylvania. The local people write Monroeton instead of Monroe on signs, and this church’s official name includes Monroeton. Author Smallbones. This file is available under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Monroe(ton)_PA_United_Methodist.jpg

File: Towanda Main Street.jpg. Author Nicholas. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Towanda_Main_Street.jpg

The borough of Jim Thorpe audited the LGSR in 2019. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_Blue_Mountain_and_Northern_Railroad

Description English: Postcard picture from 1915 of a “bird’s eye view” of w: Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, then known as “Mauch Chunk.” Author Not known; along the left-hand side of the address side of the postcard: “Published by Tosh’s Department Store of Mauch Chunk, PA Made in U.S.A.” This media file is in the public domain in the United States. This applies to U.S. works where the copyright has expired, often because its first publication occurred before January 1, 1928, and if not, due to lack of notice or renewal. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:PostcardMauchChunkPABirdsEyeView1915.jpg

Audit

The auditors discovered that the railroad owed the borough of Jim Thorpe $90,000 in amusement tax. The railroad officials were angered, so they decided to fight this tax bill in court. The judge sided with the borough and not the railroad. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_Blue_Mountain_and_Northern_Railroad

The railroad appealed the decision. They argued that the tourist railroad was “not an amusement.” Company officials threatened to leave the borough. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_Blue_Mountain_and_Northern_Railroad

The railroad stopped excursion operations and decided to try to negotiate with the borough to get excursions running again. The railroad arranged a new agreement, and excursions resumed in February 2020. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_Blue_Mountain_and_Northern_Railroad

Railroad officials purchased the 19.5-mile Panther Valley line from Carbon County. They paid $4.7 million on May 6, 2021. In April 2022, they bought the property of the former KME Fire Apparatus plant in Nesquehoning for a cool $2 million. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_Blue_Mountain_and_Northern_Railroad

Connections

Restored steam locomotives #425 and #2102 are used by RBM&N to operate occasional passenger excursions. RBMN also operates the LGSR (heritage railway) based in Jim Thorpe. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_Blue_Mountain_and_Northern_Railroad

Description English: Reading & Northern №425 charges through Industrial Road in Nesquehoning with a Fall Foliage train, November 5, 2022. Author Fan Railer. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Reading_%26_Northern_425_Industrial_Road.jpg

Description English: Reading & Northern №2102 simmered away at Reading Outer Station on August 13, 2022. Author Fan Railer. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Reading_%26_Northern_No._2102_North_Reading.png

Interchange

The term interchange means the practice of railroads conveying freight cars (foreign cars) from other companies over their lines. In other words, RBM&N agrees to allow other railroad companies to carry freight on their lines, or RBM&N may even take the cargo to the destination for the company. Of course, the agreement should work the same way for RBM&N when they haul cargo to the other railroad companies’ lines. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_Blue_Mountain_and_Northern_Railroad

RBM&N interchanges

Norfolk Southern Railway — Reading, North Reading, Temple, Lehighton, the historic Mountain Top Yard at Penobscot Knob, and Taylor.
Taylor connects to the former Delaware and Hudson Railway trackage in New Jersey, New York, and New England. The northern spur connects the yard in Binghamton, New York, and then to lower eastern New York state:
Delaware-Lackawanna Railroad — Pittston at the Duryea yard, which the RBMN operates.
Connects along the left bank trackage along the central Susquehanna River to New York State railways via the former Lehigh Valley Railroad through the yard at Sayre, Pennsylvania, reaching Rochester, Buffalo, and Erie, Pennsylvania
Lehigh Railway — Mehoopany, Towanda
Luzerne & Susquehanna Railroad — Pittston
Shamokin Valley Railroad — Locust Summit

RBM&N Equipment

Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad has the following equipment.

№225 Builder Canadian Locomotive Company Model 4–6–0 Quantity 1

Description Canadian Pacific Class “D10h” 4–6–0 №1098 built 1913 at Steamtown, Bellows Falls, Vermont 8/70. 74 “D10h”’s were constructed or rebuilt from earlier D10 classes 1912–13 and withdrawn by 1966. Author Hugh Llewelyn This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license. File: Hugh Llewelyn 1098 (5957808910).jpg — Wikimedia Commons

№250–251 Builder EMD Model F7A Quantity 2

№270 Builder EMD Model F9A Quantity 1

№275 Builder EMD Model F7B Quantity 1

Description English: R&Ns ex-NS F-units 270 and 275 are between assignments at Port Clinton, PA. NS acquired the F-units in 2006, along with 271 and 276, and rebuilt all four to GP38–2 standards at its Junita Locomotive shops in Altoona. Author Jerry Huddleston This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license. File: Reading & Northern 270 and 275.jpg — Wikimedia Commons

№425 Builder Baldwin Locomotive Works Model 4–6–2 Quantity 1

Description English: 425 rests in Jim Thorpe after a day of pulling Lehigh Gorge trains. Author Fan Railer This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. File: RBM&N 425 Jim Thorpe.png — Wikimedia Commons

№2102 Builder RDG Model T-1 (4–8–4) Quantity 1

Description English: Reading & Northern №2102 & №425 await departure from Reading Outer Station with Iron Horse Rambles excursion train. Author Fan Railer. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. File: Reading & Northern №2102 Reading Outer.png — Wikimedia Commons

№9166 Builder Budd Model RDC-3 Quantity 1

№9167–9168 Builder Budd Model RDC-1 Quantity 2

№800–801 Builder EMD Model SW8 Quantity 2

№802–803 Builder EMD Model SW8M Quantity 2

№1540–1543 Builder EMD Model MP15 Quantity 4

English A modern US switcher, an EMD MP15DC. Attribution: Harvey Henkelmann, the copyright holder of this file, Harvey Henkelmann, allows anyone to use it for any purpose, provided that the copyright holder is attributed. Redistribution, derivative work, commercial use, and all other use is permitted. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MP15DC.jpg

№1546, 1548 Builder EMD Model SW1500 Quantity 2

Description English: Nirc 4, an EMD SW1500, prepares to perform switching duties near Chicago Union Station. Author FranklinC55. This work has been released into the public domain by its author, FranklinC55. This release applies worldwide. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Metra4sw1500.jpg

№2000, 2003, 2004 Builder EMD Model SD38 Quantity 3

Description English: NS SD38 №3809 and NS MT6 slug №978 at Buckeye Yard in Columbus, Ohio. Author MeRyan. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NS_locomotive_3809_in_Buckeye_Yard,_(Columbus,_Ohio).jpg

№2010–2107 Builder EMD Model GP-38–2 Quantity 8

Description English: BNSF Railway GP38–2 no. 2273 at Lincoln, Nebraska, in 2014. Author Augy8400. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BNSF_2273_Lincoln,_NE_3-13-14.jpg

№2530–2535 Builder EMD Model GP39RN Quantity 6

RBMN 2534 (GP39), Allentown, PA. Author Dick Leonhardt. Unable to determine if copyright exists. http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5139942

№198Ex 3062), 3050–3061, 3063–3069 Builder EMD Model SD40–2 Quantity 20

Description Montana Rail Link XDM SD40–2 diesel locomotive #250. Photograph by S.L. Dixon, at Everett, Washington, USA, January 1994. Released under the GFDL by the photographer, edited and uploaded here by User: Morven. Author S.L. Dixon. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MRL_250.jpg

№5014, 5017, 5022 Builder EMD Model SD50 Quantity 3

Description English: Kansas City Southern EMD SD50 locomotive. Author Jungmeister. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:EMD_SD50.JPG

№5018–5021 Builder EMD Model SD50–2 Quantity 4 No photo available.

№5033, 5049 Builder EMD Model SD50M Quantity 2 see the photo above for the SD50.

Passenger excursions

Description English: Reading & Northern 1546 leads the 1 PM Return Train of the LGSRY. Author UpperLehighRailfan. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:RBMN1546LGSRY.jpg

Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway (LGSR) Now

Now, let’s discover the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway together. We already know it is part of the Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad that runs passenger services. Its headquarters are in Port Clinton, Pennsylvania.

The services run out of Jim Thorpe. It runs on a 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in standard gauge track. It is a tourist railroad that operates passenger excursions on 16 miles of track. The website for this railway is www.lgsry.com.

It uses the tracks from the former Central Railroad of New Jersey station in Jim Thorpe and runs to Old Penn Haven. The train runs along the Lehigh River through the Lehigh Gorge State Park. Excursions are available between May and December on weekends, holidays, and some weekdays.

It takes about 70 minutes to take the trip out of Jim Thorpe. When the leaves turn in October, the company operates abbreviated 45-minute trips so passengers can view the fall foliage in the park. The railway offers several special excursions.

A 30-mile, 2-hour round trip on the Hometown High Bridge train runs from Jim Thorpe through Nesquehoning on the first weekend in October. The bridge the train crosses is over the Little Schuylkill River at an elevation of 168 feet. This trip is also a great way to view fall foliage.

The Bike Train is a 25-mile, 1-hour one-way trip from Jim Thorpe to White Haven. In White Haven, passengers get off the train, collect their bikes, and ride their bikes along the Lehigh Gorge Trail back to Jim Thorpe.

Description White Haven, Pennsylvania. Author Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:White_Haven,_Pennsylvania_(4037154290).jpg

The railway offers the Santa Claus Special train for the younger crowd and their families. The train runs from Jim Thorpe starting the day after Thanksgiving until the weekend before Christmas. A jolly old fellow with a long white beard and an outfit of red and black will visit the children aboard the train. You can get additional information at Santa Claus Special | Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway | Jim Thorpe, PA 18229 (poconomountains.com)

The railway trains are diesel-powered. The train consists of an open-air car, standard coaches, a gondola car that allows passengers to transport their bicycles aboard the train and ride their bikes back to Jim Thorpe, and a caboose. Passengers can ride from the Reading Outer Station outside Reading on Rail Diesel Car trains to Jim Thorpe.

There is an intermediate stop at Port Clinton. Trains run from Reading and Port Clinton to Jim Thorpe in the morning. The return trip leaves Jim Thorpe in the late afternoon and returns to Port Clinton and Reading in the evening. The timing allows passengers to take their time, explore, and see things in Jim Thorpe. Availability is on select weekends and holidays from May to November.

New Station/Service

On May 27, 2023, the RBM&N began service from their new Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Regional Railroad Station in Pittson to Jim Thorpe and back. For additional information on RBM&N services, please go to Our Trains — Reading Blue Mountain & Northern: Passenger (rbmnrr-passenger.com)

Anyone interested in additional information about the Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railway can find it at the following:

Official website

Additional information on Pennsylvania railroads:

Heritage railroads in Pennsylvania

Conclusion

This is the end of this article. We looked at an introduction, launch, growth, Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway (LGSR), SEPTA, Natural gas and growth, audit, connections, interchange definition, RBM&N interchanges, Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway (LGSR) Now, RBM&N equipment, passenger excursions, New Station/Service, further reading, RBMN official website, additional information on Pennsylvania railroads.

We hope you enjoyed reading about this vital railroad, and if you are ever in the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway area, you will take some rest and relaxation time and perhaps take an excursion of your choice. You will enjoy riding the train and learning more.

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