Reporting mark | RBMN |
---|---|
Locale | Pennsylvania |
Dates of operation | 1983– |
Predecessor | Conrail |
Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
Length | 300 miles (480 km) |
Headquarters | Port Clinton, Pennsylvania |
Website | Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad |
The Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad (reporting mark RBMN) (a.k.a. Reading and Northern Railroad) is a regional railroad operating in eastern Pennsylvania, with its headquarters located in Port Clinton. The RBMN provides freight service on 300 miles (480 km) of track, with its mainline consisting of the Reading Division between Reading and Packerton and the Lehigh Division between Lehighton and Dupont. In addition to freight service, passenger excursions also run along the RBMN system. The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway (LGSR) is a tourist railroad that operates passenger excursions along the RBMN between Jim Thorpe and Lehigh Gorge State Park. The RBMN also operates passenger excursions from Reading and Port Clinton to Jim Thorpe.
Originally known as the Blue Mountain and Reading Railroad, the railroad was founded in 1983 to provide freight service on the former Pennsylvania Railroad Schuylkill Division between Hamburg and Temple. Starting in 1985, the BM&R began operating passenger excursions over the line, and two steam locomotives, ex Gulf, Mobile and Northern Railroad 4-6-2 425, and Ex Reading Company T-1 4-8-4 2102. The BM&R also began operating 3 additional state owned lines. Additionally, the BM&R entered into a partnership with the Reading Company Technical and Historical Society who leased track space in Leesport and in return leased two diesel locomotives and assorted passenger cars for use on the line.