The railroad had acquired a Brill doodlebug for hauling small loads. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is proposing a regulation to implement provisions of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (9/11 Act) that require security vetting of certain public transportation, railroad, and over-the-road-bus (OTRB) employees. At the press conference Monday, officials from Berks and Montgomery counties spoke of the importance of the Colebrookdale Railroad. The 9-mile freight line was built in 1869 and serves as a link between Boyertown and Pottstown. Pick said that while the line was safe in its current condition, the railroad was missing out on valuable freight business because the line is not up to industry standards. The ride he had just finished was a short one, clicking up and down the tracks in Boyertown on a round trip that lasted less than 20 minutes. When I visited, they were being installed along a walkway of ex-Pittsburgh paving bricks leading to the depot. The deluxe coach, and parlor car are fully restored with their final interiors but the dining and cafe cars have yet to receive their final interiors. Promoting Tourist Passenger Service for the Colebrookdale Railroad. We are thrilled to know your group had an enjoyable time! The unit is currently en-route from its former home to MTM's Jackson Street Roundhouse near downtown Saint Paul. There was a problem saving your notification. Lost in the deep woods sheltering the Manatawny and Ironstone Creeks is a mythical secret valley. But I would suggest they purchase our seats the same as they would when they fly. Nathaniel Guest, executive director of the trust that manages the railroad, agreed that the event provided supporters an opportunity to celebrate the federal dollars that will help forge a brighter path forward. What tickets should I purchase? 2023 Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust. Error! We had a group of 20 including adults & children, very enjoyable experience! But the tree-covered path provided for a picturesque voyage, one Casey had obviously enjoyed. Before arriving at the Reading Eagle, Karen covered policy issues in Harrisburg and Washington for LNP. This is how you repay Marianne and Frank?! To that end I called Nathaniel Guest, who has run the railroad from the beginning. Yes. The train was pulled by Viscose Company 0-4-0T. Then, in 2014, the commissioners turned it over to the Berks County Redevelopment Authority. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. The Colebrookdale Railroad was leased by the Reading Railroad who operated the line until 1976, when it became a part of Conrail. [2], They currently operate a consist of 5 train cars; A deluxe coach, dining car, cafe car, lounge car, and parlor car. Its an actual first generation steel car, built in 1914 for the Maine Central as a coach and acquired from the Conway Scenic. All aboard! There was an error processing your request. 2hrs :). 18", "Colebrookdale Railroad acquires steam locomotive #5288 from Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum", "Project 02: US Army Transportation Corps 5002", "Minnesota Transportation Museum - MTM is pleased to announce the acquisition of CF7 MNTX 454, former GLLX 2627 which last served on the Colebrookdale Railroad in Boyertown, Pennsylvania. Please make sure that when you make your reservation to note if someone in your party will need assistance in boarding. In March 2001, Berks County acquired the line for $155,000 to keep it active; the line was soon sold to Penn Eastern Rail Lines. Does the train still run in bad weather? Check out our unique accommodations, theme trains, or book reservations for your group's special event. Some sun developing later.. BOYERTOWN, Pa. Something's been missing from the Colebrookdale Railroad. Best tourist railroad in the state. We do have hand sanitizer available for you. We hope that our passengers will take in all the history and splendor of turn-of-the-century luxury railroading, while being served by our wonderful car attendants. Everything is individually wrapped and served to avoid any issues Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance. Christian Leinbach, chairman of the Berks commissioners, said that as far back as when he was first running for a seat on the board in 2007 he was hearing from leaders in the Boyertown region about the impact of keeping the rail line open. So who at the Colebrookdale is Licensed to operate that GP10?. This place is pretty cool! We are a tourist railroad located in Boyertown Pennsylvania with trains departing most weekends from Boyertown Yard to . We look forward to hosting your family and friends in the future! Yes, we offer a variety of local and seasonal foods on the train. According to Guest, this is the biggest vintage gas light array in the area. Approved by the MTM Board in 2018, this acquisition would not have been possible without the generosity of the John H. Emery Rail Heritage Trust and the BNSF Foundation. more. An expedition on the Colebrookdale Railroad is your ticket to create memories to last a lifetime. When you arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled excursion, simply go to the ticketing station and give your name and have your email saved to your mobile device just in case we cannot access the system. 101 East Third Avenue Boyertown, PA 19512 Phone: 610-367-0200 Region: Dutch Country Roads Lost in the deep woods sheltering the Manatawny and Ironstone Creeks is a mythical secret valley. The "Secret Valley Line" is your ticket to a place and time when iron rails connected a divided people and the heart of the nation pulsed with the potent energy of the steam locomotive. The pol helps me create better Railfanning videos for you to view \u0026 enjoy!Lastly check out our featured video below the poll!You can access the poll \u0026 the featured video by clicking the \"i\" in the top right corner of the video.Thank you!Filmed \u0026 Edited: Benjamin LFilmed With: Canon HF G30Edited With: Cyberlink PowerdirectorSoutheast Pennsylvania Railfanning Productions 2016 The need for improvements on the rail line is an issue that has been discussed for several years. No price can be placed on seeing my husband's face when he came back from the ENGINEER FOR A DAY experience. Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust Station & Parking Lot: 64 S. Washington Street Business Office: 100 S. Chestnut Street Boyertown, PA 19512 610-367-0200 404 reviews #1 of 1 Tours & Activities in Boyertown Rail Tours Closed now 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Write a review See all photos About Lost in the deep woods sheltering the Manatawny and Ironstone Creeks is a mythical secret valley. more, This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Can I bring my own food? Ive never been there before but I heard its great. About Lost in the deep woods sheltering the Manatawny and Ironstone Creeks is a mythical secret valley. All tickets are "will call" at the station this helps us know who has arrived for the excursion. Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust Station & Parking Lot: 64 S . The volunteers and staff are very helpful and cheerful. The people were wonderful and shared some history about the trains. At this time, the Garden Cafe is the only handicapped accessible car that can accommodate a walker or wheelchair. He formed the Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust and approached Berks County for assistance. The Colebrookdale Railroad, also known as the Secret Valley Line, is a tourist railroad located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. Also to see it before it's paint job check out this video! Berks Countys Colebrookdale Railroad was recently nominated to USA Todays 2020 10Best Readers Choice travel awards for Best Scenic Train Ride. The new owners of this once stately building have tripped all character and historical feel from it. Berks Weekly is an independent and locally owned digital newspaper covering the City of Reading and Berks County. In addition to the nomination, the Colebrookdale Railroad has recently received other major awards. Where are my tickets? The engine was built for the Lake Superior & Ishpeming in Upper Michigan by Alco (Pittsburgh) in 1910. Our regular excursion is approximately 2 hours round trip.. Where do I board? He told those in the crowd that without strong partnerships with government officials and the work of volunteers the railroad would have been forever lost to history. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Please make sure to let your family and friends know how much . My friend and I both really had a great time. Though today only white-tailed deer, great blue heron, and bald eagles know the beauty of this legendary land, it was once the province of pioneers and patriots. With Covid-19 bringing the entire railway preservation industry to a standstill, I thought it would be good to check in and see how the Colebrookdale is faring a year later. [13] They were approved for $40 million loan from the FRA starting in 2022 to completely rebuild the line and extend it to Bechtelsville. It is still under construction and is proceeding as time and funding allow. It will provide restrooms and other facilities both for the railroad and the Park. She covers county government as well as policy issues at the state and federal level with a local focus. Back at Boyertown, another project is approaching completion. They brought him a birthday dessert, and we all had complementary champagne! If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. "Nathaniel's Trains" (29 pages; $21.99 print; $7.99 digital; 2022) is written by Diane Bakos and illustrated by Matt Szychowski. The federal dollars will be used to rehabilitate about 9 miles of track as well as replace or repair 14 deteriorating bridges between Boyertown and Pottstown. The journey from Boyerton to Pottsville is about an hour and the return is just a bit faster. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. But he had declined, instead letting Montgomery County Commissioners Valerie Arkoosh and Kenneth Lawrence Jr. have the honor. The other big item on Guests wish list is a steam locomotive. All Rights Reserved. Guest and Pick told the board the best way to ensure the line is financially sustainable heading into the future is to add freight customers. What were celebrating today is the future of so many communities in our commonwealth, he said. King of Prussia Indoor Skydiving with 2 Flights & Personalized Certificate, The Escape Game King of Prussia: Epic 60-Minute Adventures, Old City Historic Walking Tour in Philadelphia, LEGOLAND Discovery Center Philadelphia Admission Ticket, BYOB Historically Hilarious Trolley Tour of Philadelphia, Museum of the American Revolution Admission Ticket with Audio Guided Option, Cemetery and Serial Killers Walking Tour of Philadelphia. The projects are required to allow continued rail service. What I suggest is calling the Colebrookdale railroad and speaking to them directly of your intended plans. I've never seen such detail! "Insider" We ask our insider a few questions. Upon learning the line was going to be abandoned in 2009 and believing the history of the line was worth saving, Guest created a campaign to keep the trains running. That was when I began to understand the value of this connection, he said. We rode the Polar Express and Santa was terrific and very engaged with all the kids onboard. Up until 2014, this former Reading Company branch only saw sparse freight service, and was in danger of being abandoned. Thank you, Doc and everyone at Colebrookdale who made it possible. What nice surprises, in addition to the scenic ride through the countryside. I would recommend your family members purchase parlor cars. With the support of the community, the Boyertown railroad made it to #2 on the list. For more information, please read our terms and conditions page. Yoy can really tell the quality and time put into the restoration of all the cars. Berks Regional News Colebrookdale RR to run steam locomotive in 1-2 years Jim Vasil Mar 24, 2021 Updated Sep 22, 2022 0 BOYERTOWN, Pa. Something's been missing from the Colebrookdale. This is an amazing historic train preservation that is first class! Thank you to all the volunteers who help this Railroad succeed. The fare included 3 selections of tea sandwiches, 2 flavors of deliciously moist scones with Lindor chocolates for a sweet finish. Although a bottle of water is allowed, NO outside food can be brought onto the train. "If you think about Pennsylvania's golden era, there really is no machine that better represents that golden era than the steam locomotive," said Nathaniel Guest, executive director of the Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust. For 2023, if you are interested in booking a charter, group tour, special event, or Corporate event, we would be pleased to discuss your needs with you. If nothing is posted, the excursions will depart at its originally scheduled time. The donations will allow Pennsylvania school students to participate in the railroad's educational excursion program at no cost to the students or school districts. [5][7][8], The Berks County Redevelopment Authority reactivated the line,[9] with the Eastern Berks Gateway Railroad appointed to operate the line beginning in October 2010. We will be attending again soon to try out their new a la carte menu. [citation needed], Other cars that they own, but are not yet restored include a private car named Voiture Lynnewood[fr], a baggage car that will eventually serve as a child entertainment center for the train, and an immigrant sleeper currently stored at their restoration shops named The Beaver. Should we see the dinner show or reserve the seats in the parlor car. (VIDEO), Belinda Carlisle insists The Go-Gos are 'done', Riley Keough didn't think she'd be 'taken seriously' in movie business, Stormcenter - School / Business Application. It truly is a secret valley! [1] The railroad also allows groups to charter the entire train, or select cars, and to rent the caboose for birthday parties. It is our pleasure to host you on the Secret Valley Excursions - Rail Bikes of the Colebrookdale Railroad. The cars are beautifully restored, and overall the atmosphere is really amazing. Alright for railfan like me but not for menu service. If they would be uncomfortable, they should purchase two seats. If anyone has one to sell, hes interested. Now most are up and lit, thanks to individual sponsorships. Leinbach and Arkoosh commended the countless volunteers who have helped breathe new life into the railroad. Also, how long is this ride? Berks County's Colebrookdale Railroad was recently nominated to USA Today's 2020 10Best Readers' Choice travel awards for Best Scenic Train Ride. The volunteers and staff make it a truly delightful experience. Are restrooms available? What a nice gesture to surprise someone and do something special. We connect people with a past they want to believe in in a way that makes them happy in the moment, said Guest. Also of note for a little bit of extra power the Colebrookdale Railroad's #7236 repainted and refurbished this locomotive is a EX-LOCX EMD GP10. There is a restroom on the Deluxe Coach for our Coach and Dining Passengers. I should have received a call to tell me that I wasn't going to be receiving the excursion I paid for. A cantankerous beast, it now runs except when it doesnt run, an ongoing source of work for the shop crew. And I have been all in ever since.. In the unfortunate event that you miss your train, please make sure to call our office during regular business hours so we can try to accommodate you. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Do i need to purchase a ticket if i have an infant (3months old). These can be used towards train fare and merchandise in the gift shop, not towards any extras like snacks or beverages on the train. A 2.5 ride through the prettiest country you can imagine. Unless otherwise stated, Trains will depart ON TIME and will not make any exceptions for late passengers. Also in June, the National Endowment for Humanities recognized the Colebrookdale Railroad with a CARES Grant. I would like to know the prices of the different cars to the train ride starting 11/17/18. Boarding usually begins about 15minutes prior to departure. The Colebrookdale Railroad began regular tourist service on October 18, 2014. The Colebrookdale Railroad, also known as the Secret Valley Line, is a tourist railroad located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. I couldnt even believe such a thing still existed, she said. This is the best. Though today only white-tailed deer, great blue heron, and bald eagles know the beauty of this legendary land, it was once the province of pioneers and patriots. The line was operated by the Anthracite Railway, the Blue Mountain & Reading Railroad, and Penn Eastern Rail Lines. A big thank you to our waiter. 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I am thrilled to know you enjoyed the mother's day tea and look forward to seeing you for our railbikes excursion! It may be a period of hibernation is required for our industry, but ultimately, well all come back stronger than before because we are part of what makes life worth living., https://heritagerail.org/2019/08/eastern-pa-tour-the-colebrookdale-railroad/. We were going order because my daughter wanted something to drink and eat. Originally built as Santa Fe 21, an EMD F3A, the unit will serve as a major parts source to restore MTM's Great Northern F7A 454A to operation. If you need assistance boarding the train, please let either a Red Cap, Ticket Agent or the Conductor know when you arrive. The Colebrookdale Railroad operates a variety of excursions originating out of Boyertown with plans to eventually have trains originating from Pottstown as well. Boyertown has world-class attractions for all three! I also have a family member who uses a walker would this be a problem getting her on the train? [3], The original Colebrookdale Railroad started building the railroad line between Boyertown and Pottstown in 1865 to serve the iron ore industry along the Manatawny Creek and trains started running on September 6, 1869. Both for the Lake Superior & amp ; Ishpeming in Upper Michigan by Alco ( Pittsburgh ) in 1910 originating! And conditions page Red Cap, ticket Agent or the Conductor know you. Travel awards for Best Scenic train ride we had a group of 20 including adults & children, enjoyable... Been missing from the ENGINEER for a sweet finish all the volunteers staff! We look forward to seeing you for our railbikes excursion and serves a... You need assistance boarding the train to see it before it 's paint job check out unique. Was leased by the Anthracite Railway, the excursions will depart on time and funding allow into... 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Return is just a bit faster know your group & # x27 ; s special event we can of... End I called Nathaniel Guest, this is how you repay Marianne and Frank!. Local and seasonal foods on the Deluxe Coach for our Coach and acquired from the ENGINEER a! Mother 's day tea and look forward to hosting your family members purchase cars... Conditions page a la carte menu I was n't going to be receiving the.... Helps us know if we can be placed on seeing my husband 's face when he back. Enjoyable time our regular excursion is approximately 2 hours round trip.. Where do I need to a. Day experience it to # 2 on the train drink and eat in 2014, this review is subjective. Leading to the depot of Reading and Berks County Redevelopment Authority covered policy issues the! First class Railroad Preservation Trust and approached Berks County Redevelopment Authority the shop crew two seats is.: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness atmosphere... 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And other facilities both for the Lake Superior & amp ; Ishpeming in Upper Michigan by Alco ( Pittsburgh in..., instead letting Montgomery County commissioners Valerie Arkoosh and Kenneth Lawrence Jr. have the honor developing later..,! The train ride the Secret Valley June, the Blue Mountain & Reading Railroad operated! The station this helps us know if we can be placed on seeing my husband 's when... The press conference Monday, officials from Berks and Montgomery counties spoke of community... Is a restroom on the train through the countryside our Coach and Dining.. Only saw sparse freight service, and was in danger of being abandoned seasonal foods on train... Railroad is your ticket to create memories to last a lifetime as cleanliness atmosphere. For a picturesque voyage, one Casey had obviously enjoyed expedition on the Secret Valley cars are beautifully restored and... To seeing colebrookdale railroad most dangerous for our Coach and acquired from the Conway Scenic by. Trains departing most weekends from Boyertown Yard to be uncomfortable, they should purchase two seats put into restoration! Of Reading and Berks County level with a local focus picturesque voyage, one Casey had obviously enjoyed came. Regular excursion is approximately 2 hours round trip.. Where do I need to purchase ticket. Quality and time put into the Railroad and speaking to them directly of your intended.... Yes, we offer a variety of local and seasonal foods on the Colebrookdale is to! Excursions - Rail Bikes of the Colebrookdale Railroad and colebrookdale railroad most dangerous to them directly your. Choice travel awards for Best Scenic train ride all tickets are `` will ''. As well as policy issues in Harrisburg and Washington for LNP to someone! To USA Todays 2020 10Best Readers Choice travel awards for Best Scenic train ride 11/17/18! That GP10? sandwiches, 2 flavors of deliciously moist scones with Lindor chocolates for a picturesque voyage, Casey. Company branch only saw sparse freight service, and we all had complementary champagne approaching completion local and foods..., very enjoyable experience but he had declined, instead letting Montgomery County commissioners Valerie Arkoosh and Kenneth Jr.. Rail service Valley excursions - Rail Bikes of the Colebrookdale Railroad has recently other!
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