Scenic train rides pull out of Pennsburg Oct. 10 and 11
Modern trains have, arguably, lost the aesthetic appeal of their forebears. They’ve certainly lost their considerable edge when it comes to speed versus personal automobiles. Provided you’ve got some open highway, most economy cars these days are just as fast a mode of transportation, not to mention just as comfortable and plush.
Old trains, though, possess a charm that seems to have only grown with age.
Banking on that, the Upper Perkiomen Valley Chamber of Commerce will hold a weekend of train excursions from the Pennsburg Station Oct. 10 and 11.
Dina Corrado, of the Upper Perkiomen Valley Chamber of Commerce, said the last time the organization brought in the vintage locomotives and passenger cars was two years ago to mark the chamber’s 50th anniversary. It was the first time the trains used the now-commercial freight lines in about ten years — and the event went over very well.
“It brought so many people into the area, and really helped the local businesses,” Corrado said.
According to the Reading Company Technical & Historical Society Web site, restored Reading Railroad FP7 passenger locomotives #902 and #903 will be pulling vintage coaches from the Morristown and Erie Railroad.
There will be four departure times from the Pennsburg Station: 7:30 a.m.; 11 a.m.; 1 p.m.; and 3 p.m. The 7:30 a.m. run is a 2-and-a-half hour, 28-mile round trip from Pennsburg to Emmaus and back. The other runs are 2-hour, 22-mile round trips from Pennsburg to Vera Cruz and back. Pennsburg Station is located at Route 663 and Railroad Avenue, in Pennsburg.
Corrado said there’s just an allure about old, restored trains.
“People will just gather — some of them will ride the train one day, and gather on the side of the track the next,” Corrado said. “Some people follow the train by car and photograph it, and some stand on the side and wave to people. They do this all day long.”
Corrado said the chamber, which covers ten municipalities, is looking to keep business in the area, and hopes people will take advantage of the area restaurants and businesses before and after their train ride. In conjunction with the rides, the chamber will team up with St. Luke’s Upper Perkiomen Outpatient Center, at Route 663 and Geryville Pike, to offer an autumn festival Oct. 10 and 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“We’re looking to keep people in the community,” Corrado said. “We have so many restaurants and great recreation [for people to enjoy] before and after the train rides, whether it’s visiting St. Luke’s festival or going out for a nice dinner — everything from casual to upscale. We also have so many parks and nature [NOT “NATURAL”?] resources that people could make it a whole weekend up here.”
The Perkiomen Valley Chamber of Commerce isn’t looking to make any money off of the train rides, Corrado said. In fact, she said there likely won’t be any proceeds, as the train ride program is very complex to plan and expensive to run. The rails are typically used as commercial freight lines, and allowing them to carry passengers instead of say, refrigerators, requires some insurance adjustments — which seems to be one reason that people like these unusual excursions.
“You never see passenger cars on this line, which is another reason why people are so excited about it.”
The excursions will be held rain or shine, and tickets are $19.75 for adults and $9.75 for children ages 3 through 12. Children under 3 years of age may ride for free if sharing a seat with a paying adult. There is also a private car with seating at $40 per person. Seating on the coaches is on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the event. Riders are asked to arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
For more information on the autumn train excursions, contact the Upper Perkiomen Valley Chamber of Commerce by calling 215-679-3336; or by visiting www.upvchamber.org.
Banking on that, the Upper Perkiomen Valley Chamber of Commerce will hold a weekend of train excursions from the Pennsburg Station Oct. 10 and 11.
Dina Corrado, of the Upper Perkiomen Valley Chamber of Commerce, said the last time the organization brought in the vintage locomotives and passenger cars was two years ago to mark the chamber’s 50th anniversary. It was the first time the trains used the now-commercial freight lines in about ten years — and the event went over very well.
“It brought so many people into the area, and really helped the local businesses,” Corrado said.
According to the Reading Company Technical & Historical Society Web site, restored Reading Railroad FP7 passenger locomotives #902 and #903 will be pulling vintage coaches from the Morristown and Erie Railroad.
There will be four departure times from the Pennsburg Station: 7:30 a.m.; 11 a.m.; 1 p.m.; and 3 p.m. The 7:30 a.m. run is a 2-and-a-half hour, 28-mile round trip from Pennsburg to Emmaus and back. The other runs are 2-hour, 22-mile round trips from Pennsburg to Vera Cruz and back. Pennsburg Station is located at Route 663 and Railroad Avenue, in Pennsburg.
Corrado said there’s just an allure about old, restored trains.
“People will just gather — some of them will ride the train one day, and gather on the side of the track the next,” Corrado said. “Some people follow the train by car and photograph it, and some stand on the side and wave to people. They do this all day long.”
Corrado said the chamber, which covers ten municipalities, is looking to keep business in the area, and hopes people will take advantage of the area restaurants and businesses before and after their train ride. In conjunction with the rides, the chamber will team up with St. Luke’s Upper Perkiomen Outpatient Center, at Route 663 and Geryville Pike, to offer an autumn festival Oct. 10 and 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“We’re looking to keep people in the community,” Corrado said. “We have so many restaurants and great recreation [for people to enjoy] before and after the train rides, whether it’s visiting St. Luke’s festival or going out for a nice dinner — everything from casual to upscale. We also have so many parks and nature [NOT “NATURAL”?] resources that people could make it a whole weekend up here.”
The Perkiomen Valley Chamber of Commerce isn’t looking to make any money off of the train rides, Corrado said. In fact, she said there likely won’t be any proceeds, as the train ride program is very complex to plan and expensive to run. The rails are typically used as commercial freight lines, and allowing them to carry passengers instead of say, refrigerators, requires some insurance adjustments — which seems to be one reason that people like these unusual excursions.
“You never see passenger cars on this line, which is another reason why people are so excited about it.”
The excursions will be held rain or shine, and tickets are $19.75 for adults and $9.75 for children ages 3 through 12. Children under 3 years of age may ride for free if sharing a seat with a paying adult. There is also a private car with seating at $40 per person. Seating on the coaches is on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the event. Riders are asked to arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
For more information on the autumn train excursions, contact the Upper Perkiomen Valley Chamber of Commerce by calling 215-679-3336; or by visiting www.upvchamber.org.
