The Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad (RBMN), also marketed as Reading & Northern, has evolved from a humble 13-mile short line into a significant 325-mile regional freight and passenger carrier in Pennsylvania. Its origin traces back to 1983 when Andrew Muller Jr., a retired businessman, leased a segment of the former Pennsylvania Railroad between Hamburg and Temple that Conrail intended to abandon.
Initially named Blue Mountain & Reading, the railroad began with minimal freight traffic and soon gained widespread attention for its steam-powered excursion trains.
Muller’s vision extended beyond a small short line. He strategically acquired former Conrail routes in the anthracite coal region north of Reading in 1990, forming Reading Blue Mountain & Northern. This expansion focused on freight, particularly anthracite coal, and while passenger excursions were initially part of the business, they became secondary as freight took precedence. The railroad continued to grow by acquiring additional trackage, including segments of the Lehigh Valley main line and Delaware, Lackawanna & Western trackage, expanding its reach to Scranton. A significant development was the completion of a new bridge in Jim Thorpe in 2020, creating a direct through route from Reading to Pittston, known as the Main Line.
Today’s Reading & Northern is a robust freight railroad specializing in anthracite coal transport. Despite the decline of bituminous coal, anthracite demand has surged due to its use in steelmaking and other industrial processes. RBMN serves all eastern Pennsylvania anthracite mines, hauling over 1 million metric tons annually. The railroad interchanges with Norfolk Southern to forward coal nationwide and for export. In addition to coal, RBMN handles consumer products, forestry products, and chemicals. The railroad serves 75 on-line customers and considers companies receiving Pennsylvania anthracite across the country as customers.
While passenger excursions are secondary to the railroad’s focus on freight, the RBMN maintains an active passenger schedule — it hosted 339,000 riders in 2024. The railroad is known for its meticulously restored steam locomotives, and has built a passenger station with a track, shelter, and boarding platform in front of its new campus in Nesquehoning.
The railroad operates a scheduled freight service, known as “Fast Freights,” with trains running on specific schedules between endpoints. The North Reading Fast Freight is a flagship train, one that is closely monitored by CEO Andrew Muller Jr. The railroad has invested heavily in infrastructure, including track upgrades, welded rail, and centralized traffic control (CTC) over its Main Line. Maximum freight speed is 40 mph, and passenger trains are allowed 45 mph.
RBMN has a diverse locomotive fleet, primarily consisting of secondhand EMD locomotives acquired from various sources. The railroad also owns a large fleet of coal-carrying railcars, including various types for different loading and unloading methods. The company emphasizes customer service, with a dedicated marketing department and a commitment to serving customers within established service windows. The railroad employs over 350 full- and part-time staff and is known for its positive work environment and focus on training.
Andrew Muller Jr. remains the owner of Reading & Northern, allowing the railroad to operate with a long-term vision without the constraints of stockholders. His entrepreneurial approach, coupled with a passion for railroading, has transformed a small short line into a thriving regional railroad. The company continues to invest in infrastructure, equipment, and personnel, solidifying its position as a key player in the transportation of anthracite coal and other commodities in Pennsylvania.
Read Scott A. Hartley’s full article on the RBMN in the April 2025 issue of Trains Magazine.
Well with President Trump announcing he’s pushing for a bigger and heavier coal market, this indeed will help all railroads nationwide including the Reading and Blue Mtn, railroad with bringing more JOBS back to the U.S. market, HIP HIP HURRIER.
Lol, no. Coal is dead. Deceased. Pining for the fjords.
This is like being a successful typewriter factory in 1988. The industry is dead and never, ever, ever coming back. Coal is unprofitable compared to literally every other source of power and at current trends will be extinct in the US by 2030. Yes, even metallurgical coal, because solar power arc furnaces are that much cheaper.
I really hope RN has a backup plan, because “anthracite country” ain’t gonna save them.