“You know what the three most exciting sounds in the world are? … Anchor chains, plane motors and train whistles.”
George Bailey’s paean to the tones of long-distance travel may be dated — the quote comes from the 1946 classic movie “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Cruise ships have become so large we doubt anyone hears “anchor chains.” “Plane motors” have gone from the distinctive piston pounding of prop engines to the roar of jets, and modern train “whistles” are more accurately called horns.
But trains continue to be more than a vital bit of history. Yes, the Iron Horse pulled the Industrial Revolution into every corner of the country. Luzerne County initially boomed in no small part because engines could haul King Coal to high-demand markets. Things changed tremendously with the flexibility of truck transport, but trains continue to be a vital piece of freight service.
According to the Federal Railroad Administration, the rail network accounts for about 28% of U.S. freight movement when measured by ton-miles. Trains are particularly efficient in transporting heavy freight like coal, lumber and ore. And as the FRA notes, “unlike roadways, U.S. freight railroads are owned by private organizations who are responsible for their own maintenance and improvement projects.
And while passenger rail withered dramatically in the second-half of the 1900s — service to Wilkes-Barre ended in 1963 — Amtrak has thriving corridors along the eastern seaboard and manages routes across the country that, frankly, you should consider for your next sojourn if you have the time. Under the right conditions, a train ride is more than a trip to your destination, it can be a relaxing and scenic part of the vacation.
In fact, that seems to be something people are rediscovering. Train travel can be a the goal, not the way to get there. According to a Wednesday story, The Reading & Northern Railroad Passenger Department reported an increase in its overall annual ridership for 2024.
Specifically, the various offerings combined to serve nearly 340,000 riders in 2024, up 5% from about 322,000 in 2023. The company provides what are now venerable excursions in the Lehigh Gorge from Jim Thorpe, as well as newer all-day offering from Reading and Pittston, and holiday-themed trains.
Of particular note to pre-diesel fans was the return to service of a beautiful bit of history. The 4-8-4 (a reference to wheel arrangement) T-1 locomotive #2102 puffed through the Lehigh Gorge under its own power for the first time in nearly 50 years. The gleaming, steaming engine truly earns the title “iconic,” and is slated for more Iron Horse Rambles this year.
If you are old enough, you can remember when the rails and bridges through the Lehigh Gorge were decaying dangerously, and trains of any sort a rarity. Reading & Northern have turned their passenger department into a valuable addition to our region, and we hope more people from here and beyond take advantage of the experiences they offer.