Railroad Forums 

  • railfanning reading and Northern

  • 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. Website: http://www.rbmnrr.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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. Website: http://www.rbmnrr.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 #832082  by kevikens
 
I was up in Tamaqua last week. Nice town. Does anyone know of another good spot for railfanning the Reading and Northern? I am guessing port clinton is off limits. thanks
 #832158  by ssw9662
 
Port Clinton isn't really off limits, just stay away from the ROW and you shouldn't have any problems. You could get shots from the parking lot of the north end of the yard. You won't be able to get pics of the engine terminal without a zoom lens, but you should be OK there.

There aren't many places on the RBMN where you can sit and wait for trains without chasing. However, it's rather easy to chase on much of the system, and there are plenty of crossings in most areas. Just remember to stay off railroad property and out of the way of the crews. Most of the people on the RBMN are very railfan friendly as long as you follow those guidelines.
 #837088  by GP30 5513
 
The last time I was at Port Clinton, some 8 months ago now, visitors were still able to sign paperwork and obtain a clip-tag to walk around and take pictures at their leisure. Of course, you must read the rules on the reverse side of the clip-tag, stating one is NOT to cross active tracks. Me, being the cautious soul I am, understood that as "All tracks are active", so I didn't cross any of them, even though there was little to no action during my brief visit. The one time I did, I was escorted by one of the RBMN higher ups on a private tour.

I'm not sure if the RBMN still does this, but they're one of the very few freight carrying railroads in this area with substantial trackage that are accommodating to railfans.
 #840182  by Schuylkill Valley
 
As you come into the village of Port Clinton go across the river bridge then turn to your Left go across the second bridge and go down to the end of the parking lot you will see visitor parking signs to your left. go over to the office, and sign in. The table with the visitor badges or on your Left of the room. Tell the girl at the desk what you atend to do and ask if you can walk over to the locomotive shop . you might get lucky. They been keeping 425 in there. You walk across the tracks at the crossing next to the office / Station. While your in the office you can see photo's on the wall from the railroads past and a railroad map from the 1800's hanging on the wall. plus in the old board room are two live steamers lining the walls . at the end of the hall way there's a case showing the different grades of coal and a photo of rebuilding the Reading Railroad of 1924. there also some old tools that they found when digging out the round house work pits.

When you leave you can park across the tracks in the stone parking lot and walk back the stone road beside the tracks to the square house ( Steam Shops) that's where 2102 and 1098 is stored and 614 is stored out side. there you can see the 73' round table. The table came from Brownsville, PA.

So I hope you enjoy your visit at Reading & Northern.

Have fun,
Leonard Shaner
 #1030280  by indie1361
 
Hi there,

I might be heading up to catch QARG in a few weeks, does it still operate Sun-Thurs, and what time does it head down to NS/reading?

Thanks,

Matt Skros
indie1361
Northeast Railfan Productions
 #1031361  by cr9615
 
Yes, lately it's been 1700/1730ish out of Tamaqua.
indie1361 wrote:Hi there,

I might be heading up to catch QARG in a few weeks, does it still operate Sun-Thurs, and what time does it head down to NS/reading?

Thanks,

Matt Skros
indie1361
Northeast Railfan Productions