Rain showers early Saturday morning did not dampen Reading Blue Mountain and Northern’s grand opening celebration in Nesquehoning.
Abbie Guardiani, a Nesquehoning resident and member of the Blueprint Community for the Panther Valley, even compared the little “splash” to a bride’s wedding day.
“It’s nothing but luck,” she said.
About 700 people rode the Iron Horse Ramble, pulled by steam locomotive 2102, to the Pittston Tomato Festival after the ribbon was officially cut for the new Nesquehoning Regional Station.
Matt Fisher, senior vice president of passenger transportation, welcomed everyone to the grand opening.
“Today is a very special day, even though this is our fourth trip from this location,” Fisher said. “This is our grand opening.”
“…What makes this regional station in Nesquehoning so important is that it can take people on the Reading and Northern main line to virtually anywhere north toward Scranton or south toward Reading. It serves a great purpose,” he added, noting that it helps all departments of the railroad. “It’s going to be a great location… and also a very busy and active location for the freight side of the business.”
He welcomed several members of the Nesquehoning Borough Council, the Carbon County Commissioners, Chris Barrett, President and CEO of the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, and Kathy Henderson of the Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corp.
Barrett thanked the railroad company for making this possible.
“When you look behind us and look at this rolling stock, you wonder when you last saw this. Now it’s being preserved here in the Pocono Mountains in the United States, which we’re very, very grateful for,” he said, adding that the Muller family and railroad employees have invested in the area by expanding train operations. “…It’s a tribute to Andy and his team and we’re very grateful for his resources and his time.”
Henderson, who is retiring from her position in the chamber, thanked the railroad company for its investment in Carbon County.
“It’s going to be a great addition to Carbon County,” she said. “It’s going to bring thousands of people, and having a steam engine in town is a very special thing.”
Carbon County Commissioners Chairman Michael Sofranko spoke about Muller and his vision.
“He and his wife, Carol, care deeply about this community and this county,” Sofranko said. “They continue to invest, like the investments you see here today. … Andy is down to earth. Andy is a good person to work with. Andy cares. Andy wants to be here and he’s talked about his dream to do this and today dreams come true.”
“Thank you, Andy and Carol, for investing in Carbon County and we wish you much success,” he added.
Mary Fox, a Nesquehoning City Councilor and resident, said she was very impressed with Muller’s vision and helped make it a reality in the community.
“It’s fantastic and has put Nesquehoning back on the map,” she said.
Guardiani added that the Blueprint community group welcomes and supports the vision and future of this region.
Müller then took the floor briefly and said that he had never thought that he would make so many people happy by playing with the train.
“I’ve loved trains all my life and never thought something like this could ever happen,” he said. “Thank you all.”
Muller’s daughter, Christina Muller-Levan, executive vice president of strategic planning, then cut the ribbon, officially opening the railroad’s newest branch.
Muller purchased the north side of the former Kovatch Mobile Equipment buildings in 2022 and began moving several operations into the buildings.
Another trip will take place on September 7th from Nesquehoning to Tunkhannock.
Railroad employees, district and county officials and members of various organizations gather as Christina Muller-Levan cuts the ribbon to officially open the Nesquehoning Regional Railroad Station on Saturday. BOB MILLER/TIMES NEWS
Following the grand opening of the Nesquehoning Regional Railroad Station on Saturday, steam locomotive 2102 begins its journey to Pittston.