2025 Anthracite Railroad Ramble

Now with even more anthracite!

The National Museum of Industrial History is proud to work with the Reading & Northern Railroad to host a day-long rare mileage train ride on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. The trip will depart from Reading Outer Station (3501 Pottsville Pike, Reading, PA 19605), at 9 AM, with guests riding aboard a pair of open window Budd RDCs (self-propelled Rail Diesel Cars).  The ramble will make its first stop at the Reading & Northern Railroad Steam Shop in Port Clinton where guests will get an up-close look at steam locomotive Number 425 under repair, tour the cab of steam locomotive Number 2102, and visit the wheel truing shop.  The next destination will be Ashland, PA, where guests will have the option to detrain and tour the Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine or stay aboard for two hours of photo runbys.  The standard mine tour will be enhanced by a visit to the headframe and lokie barn where Lehigh Valley Coal Company tank engine Number 119 will be seen under restoration.  Several lucky guests will have a chance to operate anthracite burning tank engine Number 123.

Back by popular demand for the 2025 Anthracite Railroad Ramble will be historical narration from Michael Helbing, President of Metrotrails. He will discuss the railroad, canal, and industrial history along the route.

Special for 2025 will be an onboard book signing with Hank Webber, author of The History of The High Iron Company.  His book takes readers back into an era where steam-powered giants thundered across the countryside.  The beautifully crafted volume delivers 14 engaging chapters covering the rise and operations of mainline steam excursions, over 200 rare and vivid photographs bringing the High Iron story to life, with 238 pages of expertly documented rail history, from locomotive rebuilds to high-speed runs.  A limited number of books will be available for sale onboard.

Guests can bring their own lunch or pre-purchase a box lunch to eat on the train. Light snacks and drinks will also be available for sale on the train. Seating is limited and expected to sell out. Guests must arrange their own transportation to and from Outer Station in Reading, PA. Estimated return to Outer Station between 5 and 6pm.

ALL TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED IN ADVANCE ON A FIRST COME – FIRST SERVED BASIS. SEATING IS LIMITED. NO SALES DAY OF THE TRIP. SALES END ONE WEEK BEFORE THE TRIP. NO ASSIGNED SEATING. THE RAILROAD RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SUBSTITUTE MOTIVE POWER AS CONDITIONS REQUIRE. ALL CHILDREN REGARDLESS OF AGE MUST HAVE A TICKET. ITINERARY SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

Price

Single Ticket $99

Optional add-on experience – Detrain for Pioneer Tunnel Tour: $20

Option to add-on lunch for an additional $10 charge (includes sandwich, chips & bottled water)

NMIH members receive a ten percent discount on ticket prices when using code TRAIN.

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE.