By M.T. Burkhart

PORT CLINTON, Pa. — Reading & Northern announced this week the cancellation of its much anticipated public trips with its former Norfolk Southern F9 locomotives scheduled for August and September. 

“For the health and safety of our passengers coming from all over the country, and due to the uptick in (COVID-19) cases here in Pennsylvania, and additional mandates/recommendations, we will be canceling the Railfan F-Unit Excursions on August 1 and September 5,” the railroad announced. “After lengthy discussions, we came to this uneasy decision due to the excursions being almost sold out, leaving no room for social distancing in the cars or during the photo runbys.”

Tickets that have been purchased will be honored when the excursions are rescheduled, the railroad said. They can also be used on any other R&N excursion. The railroad will also provide refunds. 

“You can simply keep your order confirmation number and use these tickets as a voucher when these trips run in the future, date to be determined,” the railroad said. “We will give a week’s notice before the F-unit excursion goes on sale to the public.”