News & Reviews News Wire Reading & Northern to launch Pittston-Jim Thorpe excursions

Reading & Northern to launch Pittston-Jim Thorpe excursions

By Trains Staff | February 15, 2023

| Last updated on February 6, 2024

New passenger operation by regional operator will debut May 27

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Green and yellow diesel next to tower in mountains
A Reading & Northern business train departs Penobscot Yard in Mountain Top, Penn., in June 2017. Penobscot will be one of two intermediate stops for R&N’s new Pittston-Jim Thorpe excursions. Scott A. Hartley

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 all-day, round-trip excursions will depart Pittston at 9 a.m., making intermediate stops at Penobscot (Mountain Top) and White Haven en route to Jim Thorpe, where passengers will have over three hours to explore before beginning the return trip north.

Tickets will go on sale March 1 at 9 a.m., with the first train set to run Saturday, May 27. Details on pricing and seating operations will be announced at a later date.

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.

“The railroad knows there is a strong demand and interest for passenger excursions in the Wyoming Valley,” said Matt Fisher, passenger general manager. “What better place to start up passenger service than the Pittston property … operating excursion trains to our most popular location, Jim Thorpe?”

Work has already begun on a station platform, ticket booth, and parking at the Pittston station site, at 718 North Main St. The remainder of the construction will be handled in phases.

More information about Reading & Northern passenger operations is available here.

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