Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine & Steam Train Fall 2021

Deep within Pennsylvania's anthracite coal country, clinging to a hillside overlooking the town of Ashland, the Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine has been giving guests tours of a real late 19th/early 20th century coal mine since 1961. In the fall of 2021 I made a brief visit in the middle of a chase of Reading & Northern 425 as it was nearby and I didn't want to deal with traffic in Jim Thorpe. I'm glad I did, the mine tour was a fascinating and exciting experience - and as a bonus, rides are also offered behind 0-4-0T number 1 "The Henry Clay," a 1927 Vulcan product that originally worked for Lehigh Valley Coal as their number 123. Interestingly the half-mile rail line is built to 42" or 3.5' gauge, common in Southern Africa and Oceania but rare in North America.

[@kellyashfordtrains2642]

The carriages remind me of the slate trucks on the Ffestiniog Railway, used first to serve a quarry somewhere nearby. The Welsh Narrow Gauge Railway carries passengers now, yet sometimes a demonstration with the Slate Trucks is seen on special occasions.🙃😉

[@SmokyMtnSteam]

That's pretty close to what they are, they're all rebuilt coal wagons, even the caboose!

[@TopCityRailfan]

I've never heard of this line before. It looks like a cool line and if I lived in PA, I would visit.

[@SmokyMtnSteam]

Definitely worth a visit if you're ever in the area

[@kevp9601]

Best RUclips Video In The Universe

[@tonycoldtrain]

From the bottom of my heart I like the video💪💪

[@EngineerDaylight]

I've been here several times, never been disappointed with it.

[@SmokyMtnSteam]

It's a neat little attraction for sure.

[@kevp9601]

Steam Locomotives are the Best Railway-Transportation-Machines In The Universe 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@atsfevan0242]

Sometimes I forget this place exists

[@SmokyMtnSteam]

They're a pretty low-key operation, a bit of a hidden gem

[@atsfevan0242]

@@SmokyMtnSteam i think I recall hearing from somewhere they also don't run much each year

[@tonyloftus5768]

Those traffic noises sounded like wheel slip

[@Thatonerandomguy1331]

How many steam locomotives do they have?

[@jacobwoods8738]

2. Both 0-4-0STs.

[@Thatonerandomguy1331]

@@jacobwoods8738 are both operational?

[@SmokyMtnSteam]

Only one runs right now, the other is planned to be restored in the future

[@Thatonerandomguy1331]

@@SmokyMtnSteam alright, what’s the origin of the 2nd engine?

[@EngineerDaylight]

@@Thatonerandomguy1331 The 2nd Engine is on Reserve. It was purchased with #1 from the scrapyard.

[@Madison-ur2qn]

I would go here every summer with family, as this is where they're from. I've always liked the mountainside tour and coal mine ride. And there's a cute little park right next to it! Thanks for immortalizing with this video.

[@SmokyMtnSteam]

Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@kevp9601]

I Love It a Lot