Colebrookdale Railroad - Boyertown to Pottstown, Eastern PA - Starts Tourist Train Operations

[Paul_D_North_Jr]

This is a pleasant surprise - a few years ago I thought it was dead and gone.  It runs through a mostly rural area - says 8.6 miles long - with a few country estate/ horse farms for scenery, plus 2 creeks.  See:

http://www.colebrookdalerailroad.com/ 

http://www.wfmz.com/news/news-regional-berks/colebrookdale-railroad-prepares-for-opening-weekend/29201924 

http://www.pottsmerc.com/general-news/20141018/colebrookdale-railroad-unofficially-opens-with-first-public-ride 

http://www.pottsmerc.com/general-news/20140112/freight-runs-funding-possibilities-boost-colebrookdale-railroads-plans

What's neat about it is that the line has / runs over an example of most type of railroad bridges.  Most notable are 2 tall and 1 short trestles, a long through truss, and a composite bridge that defies easy description (trusses reinforced by girders, etc., abutting a stone arch at Pine Forge at: N 40 16.957' W 75 41.134' ), plus a few deck girders and stone arch culvert types, etc.  

The tickets are a little pricey at $27 at the station / $25 in advance, but it might attract enough patrons.  I wish them well.

- Paul North.

[ROBERT MILLINGHAUSEN]

Thanks Paul.  Pleasant surprise indeed.  It’s great to live in Southeast PA.  There are now six tourist lines within an hour and 15 minutes of my house.

[avonlea22]

For those interested, there is an article about the Colbrookdale Railroad in the current Pennsylvania Magazine (due to hit shelves within the week)

[zugmann]

Colebrookdale RR, Allentown & Auburn, Everett RR, Stewartstown, and the Stourbridge Line all up and running passenger trains this year.  Not too bad for one state...

[daveklepper]

Is that the GP9 that replaced the K4 at Horshshoe Curve?

[zugmann]

daveklepper

Is that the GP9 that replaced the K4 at Horshshoe Curve?

 

No, that GP9 is still there.

[daveklepper]

Any other PRR GP9s saved?  Or is this GP9 from some other RR and just repainted PRR?   Or do CSX or NS still roster any GP9s?

In a small way, at EMD summer 1952, I helped the modifications of the GP7 to produce the GP9.

[zugmann]

From what I understand, this was a Pennsy GP9, later rebuilt to GP10 by Conrail.  Owned by a local quarry before Colebrookdale got it.