Pennsylvania
Photo by Fan Railer, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad
About Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad
Ride behind a working steam giant on the largest privately owned Class II railroad in the country. Reading Blue Mountain & Northern runs all-day excursions from Reading and Pittston up to Jim Thorpe and the Lehigh Gorge — fall-foliage runs, the #2102 steam program, and its own Santa Claus Special. An easy day trip from Philadelphia, about ninety minutes away.
At a Glance
Verified daily- Type
- Heritage railroad & tourist attraction
- Location
- Pennsylvania
- Rating
- 4.7 ★ 242 Google reviews
- Upcoming
- Sat, Aug 15
Upcoming Events
UP Big Boy #4014 — USA 250 Steam Celebration
RBMN hosts Union Pacific Big Boy #4014 on the main line for the USA 250 Steam Celebration, with its own T-1 #2102 running steam excursions through the Lehigh Gorge alongside.
Follow Big Boy #4014 (June 13–14, 2026) →Plan Your Visit
- Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance · accessible restroom · accessible parking
- Hours
- Monday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PMTuesday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PMWednesday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PMThursday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PMFriday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PMSaturday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PMSunday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Find the Depot
The Trains
RBMN's passenger program is led by two restored steam locomotives: Reading T-1 class 4-8-4 'Northern' No. 2102, rebuilt by the Reading Company and back in mainline service since 2022, and Baldwin 4-6-2 Pacific No. 425. No. 2102 powers the signature steam runs through the Lehigh Gorge, while diesel-hauled coaches handle the year-round Reading–Jim Thorpe excursions.
History
The Blue Mountain & Reading Railroad was founded to operate regional tracks.
The company acquired one hundred and fifty miles of track from Conrail.
The railroad established passenger excursion services under the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway.
The company completed the restoration of steam locomotive number 425.
See full history
Reading Blue Mountain & Northern began in 1983 as the Blue Mountain and Reading Railroad, growing across the former Reading and Conrail lines of eastern Pennsylvania into the largest privately owned Class II railroad in the United States — over 400 miles of track headquartered at Port Clinton. Its passenger arm revived mainline steam excursions, returning Reading T-1 #2102 to service in 2022.
Around the Depot
Excursions depart from Reading and the Lehigh Gorge region of eastern Pennsylvania, with Jim Thorpe — a Victorian mountain town in the Pocono foothills — as the signature destination. Pair a ride with Lehigh Gorge State Park, downtown Jim Thorpe's shops and inns, or a fall-foliage weekend in the Pennsylvania mountains.
Reading Railroad Heritage MuseumAttraction·★ 4.7 (195)11 miView →
Allentown & Auburn RailroadTrain Ride·★ 4.6 (231)12 miView →
Colebrookdale RailroadTrain Ride·★ 4.6 (1373)16 miView →
Wanamaker Kempton & SouthernTrain Ride·★ 4.8 (256)17 miView →
The National Toy Train MuseumMuseum·★ 4.7 (300)30 miView →
Strasburg RailroadTrain Ride·★ 4.7 (6288)31 miView →Dollar GeneralModel Railroad Hobby·★ 4.1 (183)<1 miDirections →Fairgrounds Farmers Mkt. Forever Friends Flowering CupboardGift Shop·★ 4.8 (9)<1 miDirections →Reading Outer StationAttraction·★ 4.7 (558)<1 miDirections →Reading Blue Mountain & Northern RailroadMuseum·★ 4.7 (245)<1 miDirections →Five BelowModel Railroad Hobby·★ 4.5 (275)<1 miDirections →Getting There & Staying Nearby
Optional trip extras from our travel partners.
Rent a Car
Most heritage railroads sit well off the interstate. Picking up a rental at the nearest airport is usually the easiest way in.
Compare rentals on Discover Cars →Bookings made through this link support usatrainrides at no extra cost to you.
Tours & Activities Nearby
Tours
Guided tours, day trips, and things to do around the area, bookable in advance through Viator.
Browse nearby tours →Bookings made through this link support usatrainrides at no extra cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do Reading Blue Mountain & Northern excursions depart?
All-day excursions run from Reading and Pittston to Jim Thorpe, with steam trips through the Lehigh Gorge departing Nesquehoning. The railroad is headquartered in Port Clinton, Pennsylvania.
Does RBMN run real steam locomotives?
Yes. Reading T-1 class 4-8-4 #2102 returned to mainline service in 2022 and powers the railroad’s signature steam excursions; a Baldwin 4-6-2 Pacific, #425, also operates.
When is the best time for fall foliage?
Peak color along the Lehigh Gorge typically falls mid-to-late October; the fall-foliage excursions to Jim Thorpe run late October into early November.
Is the Santa Claus Special the Polar Express?
No. The Santa Claus Special is RBMN’s own family Christmas excursion — not a licensed Polar Express — running on select dates in November and December.
Will Union Pacific Big Boy #4014 visit RBMN?
Yes. For the USA 250 Steam Celebration, RBMN hosts Big Boy #4014 on the main line June 13–14, 2026, with #2102 steam excursions running alongside through the Lehigh Gorge.