Touch a Train at WK&S Railroad in Kempton

Karen L. Chandler - Berks-Mont Newspapers WK&S Railroad conductor Tom Loeper helps children board the train at the Touch a Train event on June 21.
Karen L. Chandler - Berks-Mont Newspapers In Kempton to enjoy the special Fatheris Day event was Wally Ely, a member of the initial committee that founded the WK&S Railroad in the 1960s. Ely, a native of Allentown, attended the Touch the Train day with his daughter, Linda Ely Weider, of Maryland.
Karen L. Chandler - Berks-Mont Newspapers WK&S Railroad offered the community a unique opportunity to view equipment that is seldom available to the public at their Touch a Train event on June 21. Pictured are a crane and steam engine not normally available to public.
Karen L. Chandler - Berks-Mont Newspapers WK&S first train ride leaving on Touch a Train day.
Karen L. Chandler - Berks-Mont Newspapers Conductor Tom Loeper, left, volunteers at WK&S in Kempton for special events. As a conductor, Loeper had to study and take tests to be qualified as the ìboss of the traini when it couples with the locomotive. Loeper announced the departures of the day and helped children, adults, senior citizens, and a dog to board the train.

PUBLISHED: June 28, 2015 at 7:39 p.m. | UPDATED: August 22, 2021 at 3:50 a.m.

The WK&S Railroad in Kempton offered the community a unique opportunity to view equipment that is seldom available to the public at their Touch a Train event on June 21.

According to the General Manager of the railroad, Norwood “Woody” Lawfer of Stony Run, it was a chance for people interested in different pieces of equipment, like the large crane and the steam engine, to see them “up close and personal.”

Lawfer manages a staff of 20 active volunteers who care for the railroad equipment and property by doing tasks like maintaining the property and trains, selling tickets and refreshments, and operating the extensive gift shop.

Tom Loeper, a native of Sinking Spring, travels from his residence in Jolliet, Illinois, several times a year to volunteer at WK&S for special events. As a conductor, Loeper had to study and take tests to be qualified as the “boss of the train” when it couples with the locomotive. Loeper announced the departures of the day and helped children, adults, senior citizens, and a dog to board the train.

Also in Kempton to enjoy the special Father’s Day event was Wally Ely, a member of the initial committee that founded the WK&S Railroad in the 1960s. Ely, a native of Allentown, attended the Touch the Train day with his daughter, Linda Ely Weider, of Maryland. Ely confirmed that “most kids have never ridden a train” and that WK&S offers a “friendly, very reasonably priced experience” for families. Ely’s book “Does This Train Go Up Hawk Mountain?” is a historical description with abundant pictures of the railroad and the people involved with it from 1962 and 2002, and is available in the gift shop at the train station, as well as through Amazon.com. Ely also authored “Dorney Park (Images of America)”.

Upcoming at the WK&S Railroad is Kids’ Fun Weekend July 25 and 26. In addition to the ride included with a ticket, a recycled railroad display will be exhibited and visitors will be treated with ice cream. No registration is required for the event.

A Wine and Cheese Train event is slated for August 21 which will highlight wine from the local Long Trout Winery and cheese from BAD Farm. Registrations are necessary and participants must be 21 or over.

For more information about the railroad activities or to volunteer, visit the WK&S Railroad website at kemptontrain.com or call 610-756-6469.