On track for Tamaqua: Borough, RBMN to build $51K passenger platform

Passenger trains might be chugging into Tamaqua in the near future.

At Tuesday’s borough council meeting, President Dave Mace said the borough will join with the Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad to construct a concourse deck, or platform, enabling visitors and tourists to easily disembark train coaches at Tamaqua’s 1874 Philadelphia and Reading Railroad depot.

“We have the opportunity to make an improvement to allow passenger service to return to Tamaqua,” said Mace, chairman of the railroad committee.

The borough would pay $36,000 toward the $51,000 project.

The news comes less than two months after a tax dispute ended tourist train excursions in nearby Jim Thorpe.

The planned platform in Tamaqua would upgrade the current situation which requires train visitors to step 10 inches high in front of the depot in order to access the sidewalk, too high a climb for youngsters and the elderly.

Construction of a platform would answer the need, say council members.

“We do have some private donations that’ll go toward the cost. The railroad will do all the construction,” said Councilman Brian Connely.

Connely’s motion was approved unanimously.

Both parties — the town and railroad — have agreed to terms, according to a Jan. 14 letter sent by Mace to Andy Muller, railroad president and CEO:

“As presented by members of your staff, the total cost of the project will be approximately $51,000. The Borough of Tamaqua understands that our portion of the cost will be $36,000. The borough will place an initial deposit of $20,000 to start the project and agrees that the remaining balance will be paid at a minimum of $4,000 per year for the next four years, if not paid sooner. This letter also gives the railroad permission to access the job site via the Railroad Street parking lot.”

Mace said, in his letter, that a relationship between the borough and the railroad would result in much progress in a wide area.

“We cannot begin to tell you how grateful we are for this opportunity to work with your organization and look forward to future endeavors that will produce many positive outcomes, not only for Tamaqua, but the entire area.”

Rich history

The rail line through Tamaqua is one of the oldest in the world and a local claim to fame.

The Little Schuylkill Navigation, Railroad and Coal Company was incorporated Sept. 14, 1829, to build a railroad instead of a canal due to rugged terrain that made a canal impossible. It began operating on Nov. 18, 1831, and is still in use today using the same line as originally surveyed.

In fact, in 2019 the line was recognized as the oldest active coal-hauling railroad in the New World.

Passenger trains also were integral to Tamaqua’s growth, according to information compiled by the National Park Service.

More than 40 passenger trains stopped at the Tamaqua station daily during peak years in the first half of the 20th century.

As cars gained prominence and trends changed, passenger service declined. The final passenger train out of Tamaqua left on June 28, 1963.

In the 1990s, steam engine excursions were offered through special arrangement of the railroad and Tamaqua Historical Society and again later for special events.

Northbound scenic excursions from Tamaqua travel to two landmarks: the 1854 Tamaqua Tunnel, nearly 1,000 feet long, and the towering Hometown High Bridge, built of wood in the early 1880s, rebuilt of steel in 1931 by the Central Railroad of New Jersey.

Economic spinoff

A return of passenger trains could be a major boon in Tamaqua, the economic hub of eastern Schuylkill County and site of many restoration initiatives.

Over the past two decades, the community has invested several million dollars in Victorian streetscape projects, bridge and infrastructure improvements, depot restoration, facade renewals, expanded and redesigned museums and an active community arts center. In 2001, the community achieved national historic district designation by the National Park Service.

In Carbon County, Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway excursions from nearby Jim Thorpe ended Nov. 25, 2019, after a contentious year involving the RB Railroad, borough and school district.

However, there is still hope that positive developments can surface despite the amusement tax issue that drove the railroad to close shop.

Late last year, disputing parties resumed talks. In addition, Jim Thorpe borough dropped its lawsuit against the railroad, which was aimed at collecting nearly $100,000 in unpaid amusement taxes, although the community reportedly retains an option to refile.