PORT CLINTON, Pa. — Reading & Northern saw double-digit growth in both freight and passenger traffic in 2023, the second consecutive year with such increases, the railroad said in a year-end business review.
The Pennsylvania regional railroad handled more than 37,000 cars of freight, up from 33,000 in 2022. Growth was boosted in particular by the increase in coal traffic to more than one million tons for the first time in the railroad’s 33-year history [see “Reading & Nothern hits one million tons …,” Trains News Wire, Dec. 11, 2023], and growth in frac sand movement. The railroad’s frac sand terminal in Tunkhannock, Pa., in its second full year of operation, doubled its volume. Those two commodities represent about half of the railroad’s traffic.
Excursion passenger counts grew from 250,000 to more than 320,000 in 2023, aided by the opening of the new Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Regional Station in Pittson, Pa., along with a larger collection of rolling stock and more train starts.
“Over the last three years, Andy [owner and CEO Andy Muller Jr.] has invested heavily in the anthracite coal, frac sand, and passenger business,” said railroad president Wayne Michel, “and it is no surprise that is where our growth has occurred.”
The privately held railroad operates more than 400 miles of track, serving more than 80 customers in nine eastern Pennsylvania counties.
Compare RBMN’s traffic increase with the 5 of the 6 Class 1’s losing traffic, also reported in this forum today.
Don’t forget Amtrak. A 28% increase in passengers on Amtrak would have them shutting down the whole railroad.
What a fine testament to RN and its management. Apparently thriving in a region that had been a “boneyard” to major carriers, it illustrates the efficiency of regional management. May they further prosper.