Reading Outer Station
Information From the Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad Passenger Division Website: Take a Ride on the Reading
Reading Outer Station, that’s what’s new! This location on Route 61 and Bellevue Avenue in Muhlenberg Township is the rebirth of passenger service in the Reading area. Beginning Memorial Day weekend, this site will feature Rail Diesel Car (RDC) trains running the Reading and Northern mainline to Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania and possibly other destinations. Speeds along the 60 mile line have been increased in order to get passengers to destinations within 2 hours. No need to worry about driving or parking fees.
The train will take you to the center of Jim Thorpe’s historic downtown, referred to as the "Switzerland of America." While in Jim Thorpe, enjoy over three hours to take in the history, culture, food, and charm of the historic downtown. When you pass the site of Outer Station, look for ongoing construction of the water tower, switch tower, and track leading to the highway intersection that will showcase steam locomotive number 225 and other railroad artifacts.
Keep up with what's going on as this site develops to reflect the railroad heritage of Reading, Pennsylvania. Visit the Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad Passenger Division website, or go straight to this year's Train Schedule.
Press Release Regarding the Reading Outer Station
Muhlenberg Township, Pennsylvania - The former mini mall at Route 61 and Bellevue Avenue is currently making way for a beneficial and exciting project in Muhlenberg Township. The new Reading Outer Station passenger rail will be erected on the property by the Reading and Northern Railroad Company.
The area was once home to several small shops and businesses as well as the original Perkins restaurant that later went on to become O’Grady’s Restaurant. While businesses have come and gone for several years, the upcoming transformation of the site will bring about something unique that will be here to stay. The upcoming Reading Outer Station is a located little over a mile from the original Reading Outer Station that was part of the Reading Railroad. The original station was built in 1874 and closed in 1969 and then burned to the ground in 1978.
The “new” station being planned will become a tourist rail facility with regular service scheduled for all day excursions to destinations like Jim Thorpe and other points of interest in the Schuylkill county area. The passenger cars will be powered by Rail Diesel Cars as the motive power. The brand new facility will feature beautiful 1930s style railroad architecture buildings, a gazebo, ample parking areas, as well as a steam locomotive display.
The Reading and Northern Railroad is investing over $2 million dollars into the new facility. Muhlenberg Township Officials are happy to welcome the Reading and Northern Railroad to our area and they are excited for what this means for the residents as well as the positive economic impact it will have in the township. According to Jamal Abodalo, Township Manager, the commissioners are “happy and excited to have the new Reading Outer Station become part of the Township.”
Reading and Northern Railroad’s tracks cover over 320 miles. The company began in 1983 with just 13 miles of track between Hamburg and Temple. Recently the company has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to rehab and improve many areas of its track in an effort to improve train traffic and higher speeds. The company operates several existing excursion trains that carry over 120,000 passengers to locations such as the Lehigh Gorge, Jim Thorpe, and Christmas Holiday runs in the Scranton and Schuylkill county areas.
The first steam train to leave out of the new Reading Outer Station is scheduled for Memorial Day Weekend. Watch for updates on the Reading and Northern Railroads website, the Reading Blue Mountain and Norther Railroad Passenger Division website, as well as the Township’s website, for updates.