A head of steam
The 425 steam engine locomotive warms up in Jim Thorpe Saturday morning before the passengers arrive. KELLEY ANDRADE/TIMES NEWS
Train enthusiasts and tourists alike were impressed with the steam locomotive display during the weekend in Jim Thorpe.
A 765 nickel plated steam engine carrying more than 800 people traveled across the river, only stopping for a brief time so passengers could stretch their legs in the historic town.
Along with the 765, a 425 steam engine pulled cars on an extended trip. To keep the engine going over 18 tons of coal and 8,500 gallons of water are used to power the 425 train.
Five different cars, one open air car, three coach cars and one caboose were attached to the engine.
The fire for the 425 has to be kept up overnight, requiring someone to stay with the train from the last ride at night to first ride in the morning.
Three crew members are needed to power the 1928 engine, one to drive and two to shovel tons of coal into the fire.
"We don't run a steam locomotive often. It takes a lot of manpower to keep the fire going. It really keeps the guys in shape," John Rizzo of the Lehigh Gorge Railway said.
The 425 can travel up to 35 to 45 miles per hour but could reach a top speed of 80 miles if pushed.
The locomotive had all the original 1920s parts with a few modern twists.
A new vertical throttle was installed as one of the only updates.
About 250 people were in the cars pulled along the tracks for each trip the steam engine made.
Spectators stopped to take photos of the retro mode of transportation.
"It's pretty cool. I've never seen one like this before," Bill Morris of Danville, New Jersey, said.
"We lived next to a trains all our lives and always knew what time it was by the train. But this one, it's a classic. I've got a granddaughter I'm going to have to bring up here for the day."
The steam trains ran on the track along with the normal Lehigh Gorge railway trips, which include a large bike train.
Bikes and their riders were loaded into the standard electric trains and taken up to White Haven to pedal their way back to the gorge.
Train rides will continue through the fall and into early winter, where a ride with Santa will take place close to Christmas.
A full train ride schedule can be found on the website.
