The Lackawanna & Wyoming Valley Chapter of the National Railroad Historical Society will host a rare mileage excursion over the Reading & Northern Railroad on May 5.
The Onieda Flyer will cover sections of former Reading and Lehigh Valley railroads in a 96-mile round trip. Several segments have not seen passenger traffic in more than 50 years. The train will depart R&N's Port Clinton headquarters at 10 a.m., returning at 7 p.m.
Besides the former Reading Co. Little Schuylkill and Catawissa branches, the Onieda Flyer will traverse segments of the Lehigh Valley's New Boston and Hazleton branches via Onieda and Morea junctions.
Power will be two of R&N's recently acquired MP15 diesel switcher locomotives, painted in the railroad's attractive Reading-inspired green and yellow scheme. Three photo runbys are planned.
A number of ticket options are available including coach, open air, caboose, and locomotive cab rides. Basic coach tickets are $99 for adults and $69 for kids 12 and under. A Subway boxed lunch preorder is also available.
Proceeds from the excursion directly benefit the chapter's restoration of Boston & Main 4-6-2 No. 3713 in partnership with Steamtown National Historic Site. The chapter hopes to raise $225,000 in 2018 to keep the 3713 restoration on track. The locomotive is set to return to service at Steamtown in 2020, after 62 years as a display.
For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.laurellinesspecials.org, project3713.com or contact excursion co-chairperson Norm Barrett at 570-575-5320 or email him at nyowfan@msn.com
The L&WV is a registered 501(c)3 Pennsylvania nonprofit. Proceeds from chapter events benefit the chapter's historic preservation and educational activities.