Eastern Railroad Discussion > Help Planning Trip to R&N, WK&S, & Allentown&Auburn

I would like to take this Saturday and photograph or possibly ride some of this years Santa trains in eastern PA, and need some help planning the trip. I am unfamiliar with these areas and would appreciate any help.

1st, I want to see the Reading And Northern operate their steam engine Tamaqua, PA, during one of their trips in the morning. My question is, which direction does the excursion run? And where would be good places to photograph it?
https://www.rbmnrr-passenger.com/santatrains

2nd, I want to travel then south to the WK&S Railroad to catch their hot chocolate train. Any good places to photograph this?
https://kemptontrain.com/santa-claus-express/

3rd, I want to continue south and end my day with the Allentown and Auburn Santa Trains. Any photo locations?
https://www.allentownandauburnrailroad.com/

And are there any other places worth visiting or places to eat in the area?

Thanks in advance!

I’m not 100% sure on the RBMN train route out of Tamaqua so I’ll let those in the know comment on your first question.

For the WK&S there are only a couple of locations out on their line. Follow PA 143 from the village of Wanamaker here:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/fawtfez1xZqr5D716?g_st=ic
Down to the station in Kempton here:
WK&S Railroad
(610) 756-6469
https://maps.app.goo.gl/wMsLb4ubbf3BHp756?g_st=ic

For the A&A you also have a relatively short branch to follow from Topton shops here:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/2BcTbYU7gc6fSBWn9?g_st=ic
To Kutztown here:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/y3xvYprxaF6p884m9?g_st=ic

Note that this Saturday is Christmas in Kutztown and the area around the train station will be filled with crafters, vendors, scout troop activities, etc from about noon till 5 when the tree lighting is to take place.

Enjoy!
Dan

Posted from iPhone

The first train out of Tamaqua isn't until 10:30, and is of 80 minute duration, so it's not realistic to plan on covering all three operations in a single day.
I don't have an official word on this, but my guess is the RBMN train will travel north out of Tamaqua to the Hometown High Bridge and return.
/Ted
 

There was also this note on the WK&S website about road construction...Construction on the Creek Road bridge is in full swing! https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/14.0/1f6a7/32.png So here’s how to get to the railroad:Traveling North on 143 (do not take the Kempton exit, Rt. 737). Remain on 143 North for .9 mile (from the Kempton/Rt. 737 exit) and turn right onto Old Philly Pike. Cross the bridge and turn right onto Creek Road. Slightly beyond the “Village of Kempton” sign, turn left onto the gravel road (endearingly named “Rt. 6-7/8” by one of our volunteers). THAT WAS EASY!!! https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/14.0/1f44d/32.png
 IF YOU ARE TRAVELING NORTH ON 737 (from Krumsville to Kempton), turn left at the STOP sign in Kempton; from Kistler Valley Road, turn right at the STOP sign in Kempton. Cross the railroad tracks, turn right onto 143 North and follow the previous directions! 

Be advised that given that Tamaqua is like a city, there is often a lot of traffic there. If you do want to photograph the train passing through Tamaqua, then you will want to build in time to get there and find a parking spot before going trackside. Tamaqua is about midway between I-80 and Rt. 78, which the WK&S and A&A are closer to.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/30/22 12:26 by Passfanatic.