By M.T. Burkhart

BOYERTOWN, Pa. — Another Pennsylvania tourist railroad has reopened for passengers just in time for the fall leaf season. The Colebrookdale Railroad in Berks and Montgomery counties restarted operations the first weekend in October, with numerous excursions and special events set for the rest of the year.

“Our full a la carte menu of local fall and Christmas specialties will highlight each train, and some trains will have special wine and cheese tasting experiences on our dining car,” Nathaniel Guest, executive director of the railroad, told local media.

Seating aboard the trains is limited, and the experience will be different this year because of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Hand sanitizer will be available, train capacity will be limited to 50 percent, and contact-less boarding is available.

Colebrookdale trains run with EMD GP10 number 7236 (built as a GP9 for the Pennsylvania Railroad) and former Norfolk Southern GP38-2 number 5128 (originally built for the Southern). Brill “doodlebug” M-55 motorcar is undergoing repainting and advertised for use on some of the railroad’s holiday trains later this year.

The railroad runs on a former Reading branch between Boyertown and Pottstown. In October, trips are at 10 a.m., and 1 and 4 p.m. on Saturdays; and 1 and 4 p.m. on Sundays. Visit colebrookdalerailroad.com for more information.