Reading & Northern Railroad Launches Its Own Coffee Brand Aboard Scenic Train Rides and Café Car
Published: May 8, 2026
By: Adam Burns
Port Clinton, PA – The Reading & Northern Railroad is thrilled to announce the launch of its very own coffee brand, Iron Horse Coffee Company. It will soon be served on all scenic train rides and in the café car located in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania.
Brewed with passion in collaboration with Firehouse Coffee, Iron Horse Coffee Company will make its grand debut on May 22, 2026. This exciting new offering reflects Reading & Northern Railroad’s commitment to enhancing the guest experience by pairing every unforgettable journey with a thoughtfully crafted cup of coffee.
Iron Horse Coffee Company features a Colombian coffee with clean brightness upfront, unfolding into a smooth, medium body layered with notes of chocolate and toffee before finishing with a soft touch of vanilla. It is distinctive, satisfying, and easy to enjoy. The lineup also includes a decaffeinated option that delivers full flavor without compromise; along with seasonal offerings that rotate throughout the year, giving guests something new to look forward to with every ride.
“We wanted to create a coffee we are proud of and genuinely excited about” said Andrea Coller, Executive Assistant to CEO/Vice President-Finance at Reading & Northern Railroad. “As a coffee lover myself, I know how a great cup can make an already memorable adventure even better.”
Guests can anticipate an elevated coffee experience that perfectly complements the scenic journey, with high-quality coffee served alongside the friendly, welcoming onboard service they have come to expect. Bags of Iron Horse Coffee Company will also be available for purchase in the café car and online, allowing guests to enjoy the experience again at home.
Reading & Northern F9A #270 an F7B #275 are pulling out of Jim Thorpe to begin their run up the Lehigh River Gorge on July 2, 2022. Doug Kroll photo.About The Reading & Northern
Reading & Northern Railroad (RBMN), also known as the Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad, is one of America’s most dynamic regional railroads. Headquartered in Port Clinton, Pennsylvania, this privately owned Class II carrier operates roughly 400 miles of track across nine eastern Pennsylvania counties. It hauls freight by day and delights the public with scenic excursion trains, blending heavy industry with nostalgia-rich passenger service. Owned by Andrew Muller Jr. since its founding, RBMN has grown from a tiny 13-mile short line into the largest privately held regional railroad in the United States.
The railroad traces its roots to September 1983, when it began as the Blue Mountain & Reading Railroad (BM&R). It took over a state-owned ex-Pennsylvania Railroad branch between Hamburg and Temple to serve local shippers after Conrail abandoned the line. Early success led to rapid expansion. In December 1990, RBMN acquired more than 150 miles of neglected anthracite coal-region trackage from Conrail, prompting the name change and headquarters move to Port Clinton.
Further growth followed in 1996 with the Lehigh Division (former Lehigh Valley Railroad lines) stretching from Lehighton through the Pocono foothills to Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, and beyond. Additional acquisitions—including the Panther Valley line in 2021 and facilities in Nesquehoning—have kept the network modern and competitive. Today, RBMN moves over a million tons of anthracite coal annually, along with frac sand, forest products, petrochemicals, and consumer goods. It interchanges with Norfolk Southern and other carriers, earning multiple “Regional Railroad of the Year” honors from Railway Age for its innovative operations.
While freight remains the core business, public excursions have been a signature offering since the mid-1980s. Passenger service launched with steam locomotives and has evolved into a robust, year-round program that draws families, railfans, and tourists. The Passenger Department operates from two primary hubs: the modern Reading Outer Station (opened 2017 in Muhlenberg Township) and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Regional Railroad Station in Pittston (opened 2023).
Weekend all-day round trips run to historic Jim Thorpe—nicknamed the “Switzerland of America” for its Victorian architecture and mountain setting. Trains depart Reading or Pittston in the morning, giving riders 4+ hours to explore shops, museums, restaurants, and the Lehigh Gorge before returning in the evening. Shorter boarding options exist at intermediate stops like Port Clinton, Tamaqua, or White Haven. Fares start around $24–$39 depending on the station, with parlor-car upgrades available.
The fleet mixes historic and modern equipment. Regular trips use reliable diesel locomotives and restored 1950s Budd Rail Diesel Cars (RDCs), pulling a fleet of 47 vintage coaches. The crown jewel is the only operational Reading T-1 4-8-4 steam locomotive, No. 2102. Fully restored in 2022 after a multi-million-dollar overhaul, the big Northern hauls the popular “Iron Horse Rambles”—long, unassisted steam excursions reminiscent of the original Reading Company trips of the 1950s–60s.
These summer specials often feature 16-car trains running from Reading to Jim Thorpe or along the scenic Lehigh Division from Nesquehoning to Pittston or Tunkhannock. Pacific-type No. 425 occasionally joins in double-headers. A subsidiary, the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway, offers shorter daily diesel-powered trips (April–November) through the stunning Lehigh Gorge State Park, including fall-foliage runs and bike trains.
Special events add variety: Santa Trains after Thanksgiving, themed excursions (such as “Fighter’s Heaven”), and holiday runs keep the calendar lively. Ridership has soared—exceeding 340,000 passengers in recent record years—thanks to affordable fares, scenic routes, and the thrill of steam. Whether you’re chasing black diamonds by freight or chasing memories by passenger train, RBMN delivers a living piece of Pennsylvania railroading. For schedules and tickets, visit rbmnrr-passenger.com.
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