The Reading & Northern Railroad is beginning another season of all-day passenger excursions from various points on its system to Jim Thorpe.

For the first time in the railroad’s 40-year history, fall foliage trains will operate from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Regional Railroad Station in Pittston to Jim Thorpe. Trains from Reading and Pottsville will also depart every weekend in October through the first weekend in November to Jim Thorpe.

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Regional Railroad Station was opened in May in Pittston. Fall train excursions will depart the station at 8:45 a.m. with standard coach, crown class coach, vista class dome, and lounge observation seating. Prices vary by seating class. The new station is at 718 North Main Street, Pittston.

“Tickets from the May Grand Opening through September have sold out,” said Matt Fisher, senior vice president and general manager of the Reading & Northern Passenger Department. “There are still some tickets left for the October fall foliage weekends, though demand is high.”

The train will make an additional stop for passengers at the Penobscot Yard near Mountain Top, and traverse the entire Lehigh Gorge State Park, crossing the Lehigh River four times before entering Jim Thorpe. There are two tunnels along with scenic overlooks on the trip.”

Fall Foliage trips out of Reading and Pottsville also feature mountain and river scenery, following both the Schuylkill and Little Schuylkill River.

There is one tunnel north of Tamaqua, and the highlight of the trip is the 1,000-foot-long, 160-foot-tall Hometown High Bridge.

“Peak fall foliage will most likely occur one or two weeks after the peak color along the Pittston route,” Fisher said. “There are a total of five weekends to choose from if riding from the Berks and Schuylkill area to Jim Thorpe.”

The Pottsville train makes additional stops at Schuylkill Haven and Port Clinton. The Pottsville trains will be powered by the railroad’s self-propelled rail diesel cars.

Reading Outer Station is at 3501 Pottsville Pike, Reading.

Tickets for all-day excursions are available by phone at 610-562-2102, or online at www.rbmnrr-passenger.com. Tickets range from $49 per person to $225 per person.