Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern Railroad, Pennsylvania

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Kempton, Pennsylvania · Updated October 19, 2026 · 12 min read

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesSunday trains May through the first Sunday in November, plus special events into December

The Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern is an all-volunteer tourist railroad in northern Berks County that has run vintage trains on three and a half miles of former Reading Company track since 1963.

  • Running since 1963
  • 40-minute round trips
  • All-volunteer, no public funding
  • Ride in a Reading caboose
  • Original Reading stations at Kempton
  • Dogs welcome on the Bow Wow Express

Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern Railroad at a glance

Hours
Sundays, May through the first Sunday in November; special event trains on posted dates
Admission
Regular fares posted on the railroad's website; Pumpkin Patch Train $18 for ages 3 and up, $2 for 2 and under
Train rides
40-minute round trips Sundays May to early November, plus special event trains
Seasonal events
Easter Bunny Express, Mother's Day train rides, Wine & Cheese trains, Apple Picking train, Pumpkin Patch Train, Bow Wow Express, A Night with Mrs. Claus at the North Pole Bakery, Santa Claus Express
Plan for
About 1 to 2 hours with the station grounds
Best for
Families with toddlers and young kids
Best ages
Toddlers to age 10
Parking
Free parking at the Kempton station

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

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern Railroad? 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 Kempton.

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.

Sixty-three years on the Slow & Lonesome

The WK&S runs on three and a half miles of what was once the Schuylkill & Lehigh branch of the Reading Company. The Reading was famous as a mighty coal hauler, but the S&L was a quiet farm branch, nicknamed the Slow & Lonesome. It was best known for the Berksy, a local passenger train that carried students to and from the only area high school, in Slatington.

The railroad opened for business in 1963, at a time when many regional railroads were still running, and it bought much of its equipment straight from the original local owners: the Reading Company, the Lackawanna and the Lehigh & New England. The volunteers have kept that equipment true to its roots, and every passenger car still wears its predecessor railroad's paint scheme. The company also owns several steam locomotives and has long-term plans to bring one or more back into service.

2026 marks the railroad's 63rd year, and it has done it all without grants or public money. Ticket sales, gift shop purchases and food sales pay the bills, and the work is done by an all-volunteer crew the railroad proudly calls one of the most talented and dedicated groups you will find. Because the line is rural and somewhat isolated, the railroad says, not much along it has changed in a hundred years.

Farm fields, Ontelaunee Creek and two old-time towns

The 40-minute round trip leaves Kempton and passes orchards, farm fields and often a pumpkin patch, then forests, fills, cuts and a bridge over Ontelaunee Creek, on the way through the old villages of Trexler and Wanamakers. Sharp curves let you see your own train. Riders can get off for a picnic lunch at Fuhrman's Grove, ride in an authentic caboose, or sit in the open observation car.

A typical train has one or two coaches, the open car and a Reading caboose behind one of the railroad's three vintage center-cab diesels. Back at Kempton, the station grounds include a collection of original Reading Company stations moved from other towns, a ticket office, gift shop, food stand, model railroad display, picnic area and plenty of railroad equipment on display.

Don’t miss

  1. The Reading cabooseMost trains carry an authentic Reading caboose, and passengers can ride in it.
  2. The open observation carThe best seat for the creek bridge and the sharp curves where you can see the whole train.
  3. Kempton's Reading stationsOriginal Reading Company station buildings were moved here from other locations to form the railroad's base.
  4. The model railroad displayAn indoor display at the Kempton station grounds, good for a few minutes before or after the ride.
  5. Fuhrman's GroveA picnic stop along the line where riders can get off for lunch.
  6. The center-cab dieselsThree vintage center-cab diesel locomotives pull the trains, a type rarely seen on tourist lines.

Pumpkins, picnics and a caboose ride

At 40 minutes, the ride is a good length for toddlers and preschoolers, and kids love the caboose, the open car and the stop at Fuhrman's Grove. Special trains are built around families: the Easter Bunny Express in spring, the Pumpkin Patch Train in October, and the Santa Claus Express in December, when Santa, Mrs. Claus, Frosty and the Elves come aboard.

There are no bathrooms on the train, so use the ones at the station before boarding, and bring sunblock if you plan to ride in the open car.

Plan your visit: tips for Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern Railroad

  • Arrive 15 minutes early; trains leave promptly.
  • Your confirmation email is not a ticket: pick up your ticket at the station office.
  • There are no restrooms on the train, only at the station.
  • Special event tickets are final sale and should be bought ahead online; coupons and group rates do not apply.
  • Bring cameras, sunblock for the open car, and a picnic lunch.

The WK&S calendar is full of family trains. The Pumpkin Patch Train runs October 17, 18, 24 and 25 in 2026, a natural pick from our list of Halloween and fall train rides in Pennsylvania. Dogs ride along on the Bow Wow Express on November 1, A Night with Mrs. Claus at the North Pole Bakery is December 4, and the Santa Claus Express runs one weekend only, December 5 and 6. Compare more holiday trips in our guide to Christmas train rides in Pennsylvania.

No grants, just volunteers

The WK&S is an all-volunteer organization with no grants or public funding, so every ticket, snack and gift shop purchase goes straight into keeping trains running and restoring equipment. Visiting, eating at the food stand and shopping the gift shop are the most direct ways to help, and the railroad posts news on its Facebook page.

More Reading country rails

The Reading Railroad Heritage Museum in Hamburg is only about 9 miles away, a perfect pairing with a ride on old Reading track. The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway and the Reading and Northern Railroad are each about 17 miles off. Explore every Pennsylvania train museum on our site 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.

The volunteers here say the curves on their line are sharp enough that you can see your own train out the window. I can just picture a kid spotting the caboose bending around behind them. Rally spends a lot of our book at the window too, looking out at the ocean and saying hello to a white bird. And since the Bow Wow Express lets dogs ride, a corgi would be very welcome here. Our train books for toddlers list has more window-seat favorites.

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 Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern Railroad?

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.

Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern: 20 questions families ask

What is the Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern Railroad?

The Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern, or WK&S, is a small all-volunteer tourist railroad in the northern tip of Berks County, Pennsylvania. It opened in 1963 and runs vintage trains on three and a half miles of track that were once part of the Reading Company's Schuylkill & Lehigh branch.

How much are Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern Railroad tickets?

Regular Sunday fares are posted on the railroad's website at kemptontrain.com, where tickets can be bought online or at the Kempton station on the day. As of October 2026, special events like the Pumpkin Patch Train are $18 for anyone 3 and older and $2 for children 2 and under.

When does the Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern Railroad run?

Regular train rides run every Sunday from May through the first Sunday in November. Special event trains run on other dates through the year, ending with the Santa Claus Express in December. Check the Train Schedule page at kemptontrain.com for departure times, and arrive 15 minutes early.

Where is the Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern Railroad station?

The train station is at 42 Community Center Dr, Kempton, PA 19529, in northern Berks County. There is plenty of free parking. The mailing address is WK&S Inc., P.O. Box 24, Kempton, PA 19529, and the phone number is (610) 756-6469.

How long is the Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern train ride?

The round trip takes about 40 minutes. The train passes farm fields, an orchard, forests and a bridge over Ontelaunee Creek, and runs through the old villages of Trexler and Wanamakers. Riders can also get off for a picnic at Fuhrman's Grove.

What is on the Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern Railroad roster?

The railroad runs three vintage center-cab diesel locomotives, coaches, an open observation car and a Reading caboose, much of it bought directly from the Reading Company, the Lackawanna and the Lehigh & New England. It also owns several steam locomotives. A numbered roster is not posted in the information we reviewed.

What is Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern No. 65?

Many fans search for WK&S No. 65, but the information we reviewed does not list locomotives or cars by number. The railroad says it runs three center-cab diesels and owns a stable of steam locomotives. Call (610) 756-6469 or message the WK&S Facebook page to ask about a specific engine.

Does the Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern Railroad run steam trains?

Regular trains are pulled by one of three vintage center-cab diesels. The WK&S does own a stable of steam locomotives and says it has long-term plans to restore one or more to service, so watch the railroad's Facebook page for news.

Can you ride in the caboose on the Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern?

Yes. A typical WK&S train includes a Reading caboose, and the railroad invites passengers to travel in it. Trains also carry one or two coaches and an open observation car, so you can switch up your view on the 40-minute trip.

When is the Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern Pumpkin Patch Train?

As of October 2026, the Pumpkin Patch Train runs October 17, 18, 24 and 25, with departures such as 1, 2, 3 and 4 pm on October 24. The fare is $18 for ages 3 and up and $2 for 2 and under, and reservations are highly suggested.

Can I bring my dog on the Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern train?

Yes, on the Bow Wow Express, which runs November 1 in 2026. It is a 40-minute ride with your furry friends, with a photographer on site and a visit from a local rescue group. Check the event page at kemptontrain.com for tickets and rules.

Does the Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern have a Christmas train?

Yes. The Santa Claus Express runs one weekend only, December 5 and 6 in 2026, with Santa, Mrs. Claus, Frosty the Snowman and the Elves. On December 4, A Night with Mrs. Claus at the North Pole Bakery departs at 4:30, 5:15, 6:00 and 6:45 pm, with reservations required.

Are there bathrooms on the Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern train?

No. There are no bathrooms on the train cars, but there are restrooms at the Kempton station, so plan a stop before boarding, especially with young children. The 40-minute trip makes it easy to manage between visits.

Is the Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern good for toddlers?

Yes. The 40-minute ride is a good length for little ones, and the caboose, open car, picnic grove and model railroad display all appeal to young kids. The railroad itself says to bring children, along with cameras and sunblock for the open car.

What is there to do at the Kempton station?

The Kempton grounds have a collection of original Reading Company stations moved from other towns, a ticket office, gift shop, food concession, model railroad display, picnic area and plenty of railroad equipment on display, so plan some time before or after your ride.

Do I need to print my Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern tickets?

Your confirmation email is not your ticket. Report to the ticket office at the Kempton station to get your actual train ticket. Most special events require tickets bought ahead online, while regular Sunday tickets can be bought online or at the station.

Can I get a refund for Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern special event tickets?

No. Special event ticket sales are final. Unused special event tickets are honored on any regularly scheduled train within 12 months of the original date. Discounts, coupons and group rates do not apply to special events.

Does the Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern offer school field trips?

Yes. The railroad lists school field trips among its annual offerings, along with Mother's Day rides, Wine & Cheese trains and even pottery classes. Call (610) 756-6469 or use the contact form at kemptontrain.com to plan a school visit.

Who runs the Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern Railroad?

The WK&S is run entirely by volunteers and receives no grants or other public funding. It is paid for by ticket, gift shop and food sales. The company was founded in 1963, and 2026 is its 63rd year of operation.

What train attractions are near the Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern?

The Reading Railroad Heritage Museum in Hamburg is about 9 miles away. The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway in Jim Thorpe and the Reading and Northern Railroad are each about 17 miles away, and the Colebrookdale Railroad in Boyertown is about 24 miles away.

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Kelsey Cecil
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