PA Historic Places

Riding the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway in Jim Thorpe

Fall foliage around the train station in Jim Thorpe, PA.

If you’re looking for information about the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway in Jim Thorpe, PA you’re in the right place!

Coach car on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway.

The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway offers what is consistently ranked as one of the best sightseeing train excursions in the northeastern United States.

View from onboard the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway fall foliage train. — View from onboard the fall foliage train.

Departing from the historic train station in downtown Jim Thorpe, the train winds its way north into Lehigh Gorge State Park, before returning on the same track.

The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway fall folaige excursion passing through the Lehigh Gorge on October 20, 2021. — The fall foliage excursion train passing through the Lehigh Gorge.

Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know to make your own memories aboard the historic Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway.

Inside one of the open air cars on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway fall foliage excursion. — Inside one of the open air cars on the fall foliage excursion.

How to Find the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway

The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway departs from the train station located at One Susquehanna Street, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229.

A map to the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway in Jim Thorpe, PA.

There is a large municipal parking lot next to the train station – the weekday I went it cost $8.00 for the entire day, which I thought was very reasonable.

The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway preparing to board in Jim Thorpe, PA. — Preparing to board in Jim Thorpe, PA.

The ticket booth is located next to the old train station.

Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway ticket booth next to the train station in Jim Thorpe. — Ticket booth next to the train station in Jim Thorpe.

I purchased a $20.00 seat on an open air car; seats on a standard coach car were a few dollars cheaper.

Open air car on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway. — Open air car.

You can even rent out the entire caboose for $125, for up to 6 passengers.

Caboose on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway.

Riding the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway

The fall foliage excursions are 45 minute out-and back trips, departing from Jim Thorpe and heading north into Lehigh Gorge State Park, before reversing course and returning along the same tracks.

Looking towards the engines on the fall foliage excursion aboard the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway.

The day I rode the train, it was pulled by two diesel locomotives.

One of the two diesel engines pulling the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway fall foliage train.

The train crosses over the Lehigh River on its way towards Glen Onoko.

Passing over the Lehigh River on the fall foliage train out of Jim Thorpe.

Along the way we passed numerous cyclists riding the Lehigh Gorge Rail Trail.

The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway passing bikers along the Lehigh Gorge rail trail. — The train passing bikers along the Lehigh Gorge rail trail.

The open air cars like I was riding on provide an excellent view of the passing landscape.

The view from inside an open air car on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway fall foliage excursion. — The view from inside an open air car on the fall foliage excursion.

Eventually we returned to the train station in Jim Thorpe.

The Jim Thorpe train station, now a Visitor Center.

After getting a “make it official” photo, I set out to do a bit of exploring across the street from the train station.

Photo op at the Jim Thorpe train station.

Many people come to Jim Thorpe just to soak up the architecture.

The Carbon County Courthouse in Jim Thorpe.

Without strolling more than a block or two from the train station, you’ll understand why!

The Asa Packer Mansion in Jim Thorpe, PA.

In a town whose fortunes were built on coal, it’s impressive to see how the economy here has pivoted to a largely tourism-driven one.

Carbon County historical marker next to the Carbon County Courthouse in downtown Jim Thorpe,PA.

And the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway is certainly a big part of that.

The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway fall foliage train passing through Glen Onoko on October 20th, 2021. — The fall foliage train passing through Glen Onoko on October 20th, 2021.

Nearby Attractions

The Mount Pisgah Trail in Jim Thorpe is a steep but easy-to-follow trail leading up Mount Pisgah to a pair of fantastic Carbon County vistas.

The Lehigh Gorge Overlook at the top of the Mount Pisgah Trail in Jim Thorpe.

Exploring Hickory Run State Park is an in-depth guide to the best things to see and do at this 15,990-acre park in Carbon County, just north of Jim Thorpe.

Stametz Dam along the Shades of Death Trail at Hickory Run State Park. — Stametz Dam at Hickory Run State Park.

Turn Hole Tunnel is an abandoned railroad tunnel located near the Glen Onoko access to Lehigh Gorge State Park.

Looking through the Turn Hole Tunnel at Lehigh Gorge State Park towards the north portal. — Turn Hole Tunnel at Lehigh Gorge State Park.

And directly above Turn Hole Tunnel you’ll find Moyer’s Rock Overlook, offering a commanding view of the Lehigh Gorge.

Moyer's Rock Overlook on an October afternoon at Lehigh Gorge State Park. — Moyer’s Rock Overlook on an October afternoon at Lehigh Gorge State Park.

Buttermilk Falls at Lehigh Gorge State Park is a cascading waterfall along the Lehigh Gorge Rail Trail, 1/4 mile north of the Rockport Access to the park and rail trail.

Luke’s Falls at Lehigh Gorge State Park is an easy 1/4 mile hike/bike ride south of the Rockport Access along the Lehigh Gorge Rail Trail.

Fall foliage around Luke's Falls in October, 2021. — Fall foliage around Luke’s Falls in October, 2021.

The Jim Thorpe Memorial in Carbon County is the final resting place of the man voted “The Greatest Athlete of the First Half of the 20th Century” by the Associated Press.

Jim Thorpe Memorial Park in Carbon County Pennsylvania. — Jim Thorpe Memorial Park in Carbon County.

Tank Hollow Overlook in Carbon County offers visitors a stunning view of a bend in the Lehigh River in the western Poconos.

Panoramic view of Tank Hollow Overlook in the Lehigh Gorge.

The East Broad Top Railroad in Huntingdon County offers steam-powered passenger excursions, shop tours, and visits to the “roundhouse”.

A collage of four photos showcasing the East Broad Top Railroad in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. The first image captures a steam locomotive with billowing smoke at sunset. The second shows a conductor aboard the locomotive. The third depicts the train amidst a winter landscape with white smoke against the hills. The last image is of an open passenger car traveling through a lush green forest. — Scenes the East Broad Top Railroad in Huntingdon County.

The Everett Railroad offers captivating steam train excursions from its nostalgic station in Hollidaysburg, Blair County.

This collage features four images from a steam train excursion on the Everett Railroad in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. The top left photo shows a steam locomotive emitting plumes of smoke at the station, with the "HOLLIDAYSBURG" sign visible. The top right image displays a bright red caboose with "EVERETT RAILROAD 91517" on the side. The bottom left picture captures a line of passenger cars at the station, decorated with Christmas greenery and a festive tree in the foreground. The bottom right photo shows the train passing under a bridge, with steam enveloping the cars, creating a dynamic scene of movement and activity. — Scenes from the Everett Railroad in Hollidaysburg, Blair County.

The Northern Central Railway offers sightseeing excursions through the picturesque landscape of southern York County, using both a replica 1860s steam locomotive and a 1959 GP9 diesel engine to pull the trains.

Collage of four photos taken at the Northern Central Railway of York. Top left: Two steam locomotives, Number 17 and Number 85, are on display in front of the New Freedom Station, with steam billowing into the blue sky. Top right: Number 85 steam locomotive pulls a yellow passenger car and red caboose along the tracks, surrounded by green trees. Bottom left: View from the locomotive showing the train tracks and the adjacent trail, with smoke trailing behind. Bottom right: People standing on the gondola car platform near the E.K. Krebs building, a historic red and white building, as they enjoy the scenic ride.

The New Hope Railroad offers enchanting sightseeing journeys through Bucks County aboard meticulously restored historic trains, blending scenic beauty with a rich heritage of rail travel.

A collage of four photos showcasing the New Hope Railroad in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, including: the historic Witch's Hat train station with a maroon locomotive beside it under a blue sky; the train winding through a lush forested area; passengers seated inside an open-air observation car with wooden benches; and a bright red "Welcome to the New Hope & Ivyland Railroad" sign at the station entrance, inviting visitors to "ride the rails back in time."

Nestled in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, the Strasburg Rail Road offers scenic sightseeing excursion trains pulled by majestic steam locomotives.

A collage of 5 photos showing scenes from the Strasburg Railroad in Lancaster County, PA.

Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton is both a museum and an active railyard, dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich heritage of steam-powered locomotives in America.

A four-image collage from Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, PA. Upper left shows a vintage steam engine number 26 inside a roundhouse with steam rising. Upper right features two locomotives, including engine 790, displayed on a turntable with a modern building in the background. Lower left is the Union Pacific 'Big Boy' steam engine number 4012, a large black locomotive parked outside. Lower right is the National Park Service round emblem displayed at the historic site. — Scenes from Steamtown in Scranton.

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