Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania · Updated October 19, 2026 · 12 min read

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesOperating daily in fall 2026; Autumn Leaf schedule through November 15

The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway runs narrated round-trip train rides from downtown Jim Thorpe along the Lehigh River into Lehigh Gorge State Park, in vintage coaches, open air cars and a dome car, on rails of the Reading & Northern Railroad.

  • Departs downtown Jim Thorpe
  • Rides into Lehigh Gorge State Park
  • Vintage coaches from as early as 1917
  • Open air, dome and lounge cars
  • Kids 2 and under ride free
  • A Reading & Northern operation

Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway at a glance

Hours
Trains daily in fall 2026; office 8:30 am to 5 pm daily
Admission
Standard Coach adults $25, kids 3 to 12 $9; Open Air $28 and $10; 2 and under free
Train rides
Narrated round trips from Jim Thorpe into Lehigh Gorge State Park; Autumn Leaf schedule through November 15, 2026
Seasonal events
Autumn Leaf season, Fall foliage trains
Plan for
About 70 minutes for the ride, plus an hour to park and check in
Best for
Families with young kids and anyone wanting a scenic ride
Best ages
All ages; children 2 and under ride free
Parking
Carbon County runs all Jim Thorpe parking; call 570-325-3611 for lots and rules

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Jim Thorpe.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

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Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

Railroading in the town once called Mauch Chunk

Jim Thorpe was known as Mauch Chunk for most of its history, a Lenape name usually translated as Bear Mountain. Steep hillsides, narrow streets and terraced gardens earned it the nickname the Switzerland of America. It grew up first as a canal town and then as a railroad town, because the coal of the surrounding mountains had to get to market somehow.

In 1827 the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company built a gravity railroad between Summit Hill and Mauch Chunk in just three months and twenty-six days. Loaded cars rolled downhill on wooden rails strapped with iron, and mules pulled them back up. That line, the Switchback Railroad, later became a famous passenger attraction, and by the late 1800s rail excursion tourism to Mauch Chunk was at its peak. In 1898, ten thousand spectators watched the largest American flag flown up to that time stretched across the Lehigh River between Flagstaff and Bear Mountains.

The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway carries on that excursion tradition today. It is a trademark of the Reading & Northern Railroad, the regional freight railroad based in Port Clinton, which runs the trains out of the historic station in downtown Jim Thorpe and keeps a fleet of coaches, open air cars, a dome car and a lounge car for the trip.

Along the Lehigh River and into the state park

Trains leave from the historic station in downtown Jim Thorpe and head north into Lehigh Gorge State Park, following the Lehigh River over bridges and past forested cliffs, then return on the same track. Visitor guides mention views of the river and Glen Onoko Falls, and the ride is narrated. Diesel engines pull the trains, and some of the coaches were built as early as 1917.

You choose your car when you buy a ticket. Open Air Cars have center benches facing outward and big openings for fresh air. Standard Coaches have padded flip-back seats, restrooms and winter heat. Crown Class offers plush bus-style seats, the Vista dome car puts you up in the glass with full climate control, and on weekends and select holidays the First-Class Lounge car serves complimentary snacks and soft drinks. A private caboose option is set to return in spring 2027.

Don’t miss

  1. The Vista dome carRaised seats under the glass give the widest view of the gorge, with full climate control in any season.
  2. The Open Air CarsOutward-facing benches and big picture openings make these the favorite for photos and fresh air.
  3. Glen Onoko Falls viewsRegional visitor guides list the falls among the sights along the route into the state park.
  4. The historic downtown stationTrips begin and end right in the middle of Jim Thorpe, so shops and restaurants are steps away.
  5. The First-Class Lounge carArmchairs, booths and complimentary snacks on weekends and select holidays, a treat for a special outing.

Picking the right car for little riders

Children 2 and under ride free, and fares for ages 3 to 12 are much lower than adult fares, which makes this an easy first train ride. The Open Air Cars are fun on a warm day, while Standard Coaches and Crown Class have restrooms and heat in winter, a real help with toddlers.

Build in time before boarding. The railway asks everyone to arrive an hour early to park, and then you pick up tickets at the booth, so a snack and a walk around downtown Jim Thorpe can keep small kids happy while you wait.

Plan your visit: tips for Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway

  • Arrive at least an hour early, especially during fall foliage and holiday seasons.
  • Same-day tickets are sold only at the Jim Thorpe ticket booth; online sales end at midnight and phone sales at 5 pm the day before.
  • Check in at the ticket booth with your confirmation email to get your tickets.
  • Follow posted rules in the county lots; one rider review mentions parking tickets issued during a ride.
  • Groups of 10 or more get 5 to 10 percent off coach and open air seats when booked by phone at least 24 hours ahead, except in fall foliage season.

Fall is the railway's busiest season: the Autumn Leaf 2026 schedule runs through November 15, with its own ticket page, and the regular schedule resumes November 16 through November 26. Holiday season is also a peak time for parking and crowds, so check the railway's schedule for winter trips and book early. For more seasonal options, see our list of Christmas train rides in Pennsylvania.

Run by the Reading & Northern

The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway is a trademark of the Reading & Northern Railroad, a privately held freight railroad, and its reservation staff answer the phone from 8:30 am to 5 pm every day. Riding, booking group trips for schools, scouts, churches or clubs, and following the railway's Facebook page for schedule news are the best ways to keep these trains running.

More trains within an hour of Jim Thorpe

The Wanamaker, Kempton and Southern Railroad is about 17 miles away. The Reading and Northern Railroad runs day trips into Jim Thorpe from Reading, Port Clinton and Tamaqua, and the Reading Railroad Heritage Museum is about 25 miles off. Browse all of our Pennsylvania train pages for more.

Every train museum in Pennsylvania

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of Rally the corgi looking out an arched train window at the ocean and a white bird
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

On a ride through a river gorge, I think every kid ends up with a nose pressed to the glass. That is exactly how Rally spends much of our book, looking out an arched train window at the ocean and greeting a white bird. Here the view is the Lehigh River and green cliffs instead of waves, but the feeling is the same. If your little one loves window seats, our coloring pages are a fun one for the ride home.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.

Get the free coloring pages
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

More for train families

Work or volunteer at Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway?

We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway: 20 questions riders ask

How much are Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway tickets?

As of October 2026, Standard Coach is $25 for adults and $9 for ages 3 to 12, Open Air Car is $28 and $10, Crown Class is $25 and $10, the Vista dome is $32 and $21, and the First-Class Lounge is $54 and $45. Children 2 and under ride free. Crown and Vista adult fares rise on November 16.

Are there discounted Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway tickets?

Yes, for groups. Groups of 10 or more get 5 percent off for 10 to 45 riders, 8 percent for 46 to 100, and 10 percent for 101 or more, on Standard Coach and Open Air seats only. Book by phone at (570) 325-8485 at least 24 hours ahead. There are no group discounts in fall foliage season or online.

Where is the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway?

The railway departs from the historic train station in downtown Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, at 1 Susquehanna Street, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229. Trains head north into Lehigh Gorge State Park and return on the same track. Pick up your tickets at the Jim Thorpe ticket booth before boarding.

Where do you park for the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway?

All parking in Jim Thorpe is owned and controlled by Carbon County, not the railway. Contact the local parking authority at (570) 325-3611 or look up Jim Thorpe Municipal Parking for lots and maps. The railway asks riders to arrive at least an hour early, especially in fall foliage and holiday seasons.

What is the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway schedule?

As of October 2026, trains run daily. The Autumn Leaf 2026 schedule is in effect through Sunday, November 15, with its own ticket page, and the regular schedule resumes November 16 through November 26. Departure times for each day are listed on the purchase tickets page at lgsry.com.

How long is the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway ride?

One rider review describes it as about a 70-minute scenic ride, and the trip is an out-and-back run from Jim Thorpe into Lehigh Gorge State Park on the same track. Add about an hour before departure for parking and ticket pickup, as the railway recommends.

What is the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway Open Air Car like?

Open Air Cars have large openings for unobstructed views and plenty of fresh air, with benches running down the center of the car facing out toward the scenery. As of October 2026, seats are $28 for adults, $10 for ages 3 to 12, and free for children 2 and under.

Is the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway owned by the Reading & Northern Railroad?

Yes. The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway is a trademark of the Reading & Northern Railroad, the privately held regional freight railroad headquartered in Port Clinton. The Reading & Northern also runs all-day excursions to Jim Thorpe from Reading, Port Clinton and Tamaqua.

Can you buy Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway tickets at the ticket booth?

Yes. Same-day tickets can only be bought in person at the ticket booth in Jim Thorpe. Advance online sales end at midnight the night before, and advance phone sales end at 5 pm the day before. If you bought ahead, check in at the booth with your confirmation email to receive your tickets.

What are the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway hours?

Train times change by season and are posted on the railway's schedule page, and trains are running daily as of October 2026. The reservations office answers the phone at (570) 325-8485 from 8:30 am to 5 pm every day. Arrive at least an hour before your train.

Does the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway have a Christmas train?

The railway names the holiday season as one of its peak times, but it has not posted specific Christmas train details for 2026. Check lgsry.com or the railway's Facebook page for holiday schedules, and call (570) 325-8485 with questions.

What upcoming events does the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway have?

As of October 2026, the Autumn Leaf 2026 season runs through November 15, followed by the regular schedule from November 16 to 26. The railway also says its private caboose option returns in spring 2027. Check lgsry.com for new event listings.

Is the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway worth it?

For families, it is an easy and affordable first train ride, with kids 2 and under free and a choice of open air, coach and dome seating. Riders head into Lehigh Gorge State Park along the Lehigh River, and the narrated trip starts right in downtown Jim Thorpe, close to shops and restaurants.

What happens if it rains on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway?

The railway's seating options cover most weather: Standard Coach has working windows and heat in winter, Crown Class is heated, and the Vista dome and First-Class Lounge cars are fully climate controlled. Open Air Cars are the most exposed, so consider a closed car if the forecast looks wet or cold.

What is the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway Vista dome car?

The Vista-class dome car lets riders sit up high with panoramic views, in padded seats with restrooms and full climate control. As of October 2026, it is $32 for adults ($35 from November 16), $21 for ages 3 to 12, and free for children 2 and under.

Is the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway good for toddlers?

Yes. Children 2 and under ride free, and Standard Coach and Crown Class cars have restrooms and winter heat. The trickiest part with toddlers is the wait: plan to arrive an hour early to park and collect tickets, then let them watch the trains around the downtown station.

What will I see on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway?

The train follows the Lehigh River north from Jim Thorpe over bridges and into Lehigh Gorge State Park, past forested cliffs. Regional visitor guides mention views of Glen Onoko Falls. The ride is narrated, and some of the vintage coaches date as far back as 1917.

Can I book a private caboose on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway?

Not right now. The railway says its private caboose option, which offers small parties privacy and views of Lehigh Gorge State Park, is returning in spring 2027. Watch lgsry.com or call (570) 325-8485 to learn when booking opens.

How do I contact the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway?

Call (570) 325-8485 between 8:30 am and 5 pm daily, which the railway recommends for urgent questions. For general inquiries, use the contact form on lgsry.com, which staff aim to answer within one to two business days. Group bookings must be made by phone.

What other train rides are near the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway?

The Wanamaker, Kempton and Southern Railroad in Kempton is about 17 miles away, and the Reading Railroad Heritage Museum in Hamburg about 25 miles. Delaware River Railroad Excursions in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, is about 31 miles, and the Reading and Northern runs day trips into Jim Thorpe.

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Kelsey Cecil
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