Kutztown, PA
Allentown & Auburn Railroad
At a Glance
Source checked 2026-08-13- TypeHeritage railroad & tourist attraction
- LocationKutztown, PA
- Rating4.6 ★231 Google reviews
- UpcomingSun, Sep 13
About Allentown & Auburn Railroad
The Allentown & Auburn Railroad operates diesel-powered heritage excursions over the Kutztown–Topton branch in Berks County. Regular rides make an eight-mile round trip through the countryside, while selected products stop at the railroad’s picnic grove for meals, pumpkins, stories, or seasonal activities. Kutztown’s 1869–1870 station is the ticket-pickup and boarding point. The railroad also maintains a Topton rail yard, but visitors should not substitute that maintenance address for the Kutztown departure station.
Ways to Ride
Choose the visit that fits your groupFirst-time riders and families
Standard Kutztown–Topton ride
The basic experience is an eight-mile diesel-powered round trip lasting a little more than one hour.
Families and multigenerational groups
Picnic and pumpkin trains
Selected trips stop at the picnic grove for a catered meal or pumpkin-picking; product duration and inclusions differ.
Older children, adults, and folklore fans
Ghost Stories at the Grove
An evening trip carries passengers to the picnic grove for local folktales and ghost stories; guests may bring a chair.
Families planning late-November and December outings
Holiday trains
Hot Chocolate and Santa trains use distinct dates, departure times, durations, and inclusions—choose the exact product before buying.
Upcoming Events
Complete official date check
2026 special-event calendar
These dates come directly from the operator. USA Train Rides adds trip-planning details only when they are backed by reviewed sources. Check the live official calendar ↗
Plan Your Visit
- SeasonSelected 2026 dates from March through December, with the remaining published season running September 13 through December 20
- Trip LengthA standard ride lasts a little over one hour; picnic-grove and themed products range from about 1 to 2 hours
- ArriveArrive 15–30 minutes early to pick up tickets inside Kutztown Train Station; boarding begins about 10–15 minutes before departure
- ParkingUse station parking along Railroad Street, including spaces marked “Parking for Boro Use Only,” or park along Pine Street
- AccessibilityAdvance notice is required. Call or note the need during booking so the railroad can spot its ramp for a regular-sized wheelchair or walker into the coach or open-air car
- RestroomsThere are no restrooms aboard the train. Restrooms are available inside Kutztown Train Station and at the picnic grove
- RouteEight-mile round trip from Kutztown to Topton and back through the Berks County countryside
- TicketsBuy through the railroad’s official online store. Most trips may also sell day-of station tickets when seats remain, but every ticket must be picked up in the station before boarding
- FoodLight snacks and nonalcoholic beverages are allowed; clean up after the visit. Alcohol is not permitted. Food is included only when the booked product says so
- PowerThe railroad states that all current trains are diesel powered
- Changes And RefundsTickets can generally be transferred to another available trip within one year. Refunds carry a 10% fee and require at least 48 hours’ notice for standard rides or seven days for higher-priced specialty rides
Find the Depot
The Trains
The operator’s current roster is broader than the equipment guaranteed on any one trip. It identifies frequently used EMC switcher ALLN 206, built in 1937, plus additional locomotives Nos. 14, 57, and 106 and restoration projects including PRR gas-electric car 4666. Passenger equipment includes operating coach ALLN 1161, while sister car 1166 is explicitly listed in storage; the roster also names RDG baggage car 1675 and private cars Imperial Sands and Northern Lights. The FAQ is the clearest current visitor rule: trains are diesel powered. A roster listing or gallery photograph does not promise that a particular locomotive or car will operate on the selected date.
History
A charter was procured for the planned Allentown Railroad linking toward the Reading system.
The Auburn & Port Clinton interest merged into the Allentown Railroad; the financial panic halted the larger project.
Construction advanced on the practical Topton–Kutztown branch and the Kutztown station was erected during 1869–1870.
The first train ran between Topton and Kutztown on January 10.
The Allentown Railroad corporate entity merged into the Reading Railroad on December 31.
No. 206 hauled the current operation’s first passenger trips from Kutztown at Easter.
The official calendar lists picnic, pumpkin, ghost-story, toy-collection, hot-chocolate, and Santa programs through December.
See full history
The railroad’s name reaches back to an ambitious 1850s project planned between Allentown and the Reading system. The Panic of 1857 interrupted that longer route. After local residents petitioned for a practical connection, the branch from Topton to Kutztown opened on January 10, 1870, and the station was erected in 1869–1870. The line later passed through the Reading system and its successors; it is now owned by the Kutztown Transportation Authority and operated by the Allentown & Auburn Railroad. The current excursion operation’s first passenger trips ran at Easter 2015 behind No. 206.
Around the Depot
Kutztown’s local ecosystem is compact and culturally specific. The closest substantial stop is the Kutztown Area Historical Society, whose working model-train display complements the live ride when its limited hours align. The Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center explains the regional landscape and traditions visible from the train, while Historic Crystal Cave provides a longer seasonal family outing. Every promoted stop has a complete internal guide, public contact details, current planning caveats, and a rights-documented gallery.
Getting There & Staying Nearby
Optional trip extras from our travel partners.
Rent a Car
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Tours & Activities near Kutztown
Tours
Guided tours, day trips, and things to do around the area, bookable in advance through Viator.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the Allentown & Auburn Railroad depart?
Pick up tickets and board at Kutztown Train Station, 232 Railroad Street, Kutztown, PA 19530. The Topton rail yard is not the primary visitor departure point.
How long is the ride?
The standard eight-mile round trip lasts a little more than one hour. Picnic-grove and special-event products run longer, generally about 1 to 2 hours.
How early should I arrive?
Arrive 15–30 minutes early to pick up tickets inside the station. Boarding begins about 10–15 minutes before the scheduled departure.
Where can I park?
The railroad directs visitors to spaces along Railroad Street—including spaces marked “Parking for Boro Use Only”—and along Pine Street.
Are there restrooms on the train?
No. The operator says there are no onboard restrooms. Facilities are available in Kutztown Train Station and at the picnic grove.
Is the train wheelchair accessible?
With advance notice, the railroad can spot a ramp for regular-sized wheelchairs and walkers into its coach or open-air car. Call 570-778-7531 or note the request when booking.
Is the train steam powered?
No. The current official FAQ states that all trains are diesel powered.
Can I bring food or alcohol?
Light snacks and nonalcoholic beverages are allowed if guests clean up. Alcohol is not permitted.
Can I change or refund my tickets?
The ticket store offers transfer credit within one year when space permits. Refunds carry a 10% fee and require 48 hours’ notice for standard rides or seven days for specialty rides.
Why is the September picnic date flagged?
The official 2026 schedule and the dated product title say September 13, while older text still says September 7. This guide uses the dated product but preserves the conflict so visitors know to confirm.
Sources & Verification
Source-checked August 13, 2026. This free profile has not yet been claimed or confirmed by the operator.
- Official 2026 train schedule and event-date index
- Official FAQ for route, duration, arrival, parking, restrooms, access, food, and diesel power
- Official ticket store for live products, prices, transfer credit, refunds, address, phone, and email
- Official railroad history and current ownership
- Official current equipment roster
- Official ALLN 206 history and current-use framing
- Official ALLN 1161 and stored 1166 status
- 1915 Centennial History of Kutztown for station and branch history
- Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA photograph of ALLN 206