Final Run of the Rail Tours in Jim Thorpe, PA

Today, December 12th 2004, marked the end of 33 years of service provided by Rail Tours, Inc. in Jim Thorpe, Penna. The last train out of the station left at 2:45pm. Carbon County has decided not to renew their contract for FY2005 and has instead granted 100% control of the line (passenger and freight) to the Reading & Northern RR. My wife and I drove up today to see the final runs. Thanks for all the memories guys - I've been riding since the mid-1970s.

The R&N has reportedly raised tarrifs to customers 30% on the line, formerly the C&S RR, causing the Cogen plant to end rail service on 11/1/04 (now Rt. 54 is nothing but a constant stream of dump trucks hauling culm) and Amatek is slated to terminate rail service early in 2005.

RAIL TOURS INC WEB SITE ---> http://www.railtours-inc.com

they went out with the smoke flyin' and horn blowin'... i got to ride the coaches going up to be parked one last time. afterwards #11 re-placed the hacks by the Turkey Hill and drilled out a caboose going to the Morristown and Erie. that's it for now...