Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway Train at Jim Thorpe Station

Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway Train at Jim Thorpe Station

The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway operates trips through the rocky gorge of the Lehigh River from the
Reading & Northern station in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania. It is a part of the Reading & Northern, as can be
seen from the livery on the EMD GP-38-2 diesel-electric locomotive and the bright red caboose, a part of
traditional American Railroadiana missed by many train fans, as they are usually seen only at railroad
museums, (*) or forlornly rusting away on some non-descript siding. (**)

The caboose would suggest this is the back of the train, which is true … half the time. There is also a
diesel locomotive at the other end of this very long train - which includes several open-air coaches for
really getting up close and personal with the lovely scenery in the gorge – to enable the train to easily
reverse for the trip back to its point of origination. Thus, this is a view of the “front” of the train as we
arrived back at Jim Thorpe on this splendid autumn afternoon at the end of October.

The Lehigh Gorge trains are not only a railfan-prized feature for those visiting the mountain town of
Jim Thorpe but also an exciting bonus for passengers who’ve journeyed from Reading aboard the
popular steam or vintage F-Unit diesel-powered excursions operated by the Reading & Northern,
as the interval between arrival and departure conveniently allows for a relaxed rail sojourn in the gorge.

The photo was taken after enjoying the roundtrip into the gorge in one of those open-air coaches.

The observant railfan may also spot, in the distance, at far left, another icon of North American
railroading, also happily kept alive and well by the Reading and Northern, A Budd RDC Rail Diesel Car.
Run singly or, more likely, as a pair, the "Budd Liners" also carried excursion passengers to Jim Thorpe
on this perfect autumn day.

©2022 Steve Ember
(*)