For a little more of a nostalgia buzz, The Allentown and Auburn Railroad will be pulling its tourist trains during the Kutztown Bicentennial next week with a steam locomotive, Mike Bast, President of the railroad announced.
“The small locomotive will be delivered to the Kutztown Railroad Station by Lowboy truck on July 22 and will be eased onto the track at 5 p.m.,” said Bast. “It should make a good spectator sport in itself. While the engine is warming up, a ramp will be built up out of heavy timbers, topped with specially-cut rails. By 5, we will have a good head of steam and will run the train down the ramp and onto the tracks near the station. There will be much huffing and puffing and probably some good photo ops.”
Bicentennial Train rides will begin on the first day of the celebration July 25 and continue on the 26, Aug. 1 and 2 at 10 and 11:30 a.m. and 1, 2:30, 4 and 5:30 p.m. Prices will be $15 for everyone 12 and up and $10 for those 3 to 11 years of age. Children under 3 years of age ride free, but a ticket must be issued for an accurate head count.
The Allentown and Auburn Railroad began its tourist train excursions with it’s Easter bunny run this spring, followed by the firefly run later in the summer. Both efforts sold out, even though extra runs were added to the schedules. The company also operated during the Kutztown Folk Festival early in July.
A barbecue run is scheduled for Aug. 29 that will start at the Kutztown Railroad Station and will proceed to the Allentown and Auburn yard in Topton, where a catered dinner will be catered under a tent by B3Q, of Pittston, Pennsylvania. Ride the Rails for Cancer trips are scheduled on Oct. 3 and 4, with fall foliage excursions on Oct. 10, 11, 17 and 18. Halloween trips are scheduled Oct. 24, 25 and 31 and the season will be wrapped up Dec. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20 with Christmas rides.
More information about the railroad and ticket sales can be found online at sales@allnrr.com.
