Reading and Northern Railroad has announced its upcoming October fall foliage train schedule.

For the first time in the railroad's history, it will operate its excursion trains starting out of its recently opened Reading Outer Station.The excursions will then travel north and pick up the Main Line into Port Clinton, where it will make a stop to pick up additional passengers for the trip to Jim Thorpe.There will be nine excursions this season.The trains on Oct 1, 21, 22, 28 and 29 will be pulled by a diesel locomotive.Trips on Oct. 7, 8 and 15 will be powered by the 425 steam engine.Seating options, include standard seating, as well as the Pullman car and First Class Parlor Car on all trips.All trains leave Outer Station at 9 a.m. and stop at Port Clinton at 10 a.m. The trains will arrive in Jim Thorpe by 12:15 p.m. and depart for the return trip at 3:30 p.m.Trains will be back in the Outer Station by 6:30 p.m.In addition, on Oct. 14, Reading and Northern will run a Railfan Steam Special, which will only pick up at Outer Station before heading to Jim Thorpe. It will offer railfans the opportunity to ride behind the steam locomotive in an open gondola car or standard coach seating. There will be no auxiliary tender or diesel assist that day. This train will run on the same schedule but does not stop at Port Clinton.All of the trains will follow the Schuylkill/Little Schuylkill rivers north through farmland, then through Tamaqua and the tip of the anthracite coal region, going through the Tamaqua Tunnel and over the 168-foot tall Hometown High Bridge before passing Greenwood and Hauto lakes, before arriving in Jim Thorpe.All cars will be heated in cool weather.All tickets must be purchased in advance of the trip. No ticket sales are made the day of the trip.Tickets can be purchased in person at the passenger department offices at the Schuylkill Haven train station Mondays through Fridays 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by calling 610-562-2102.Tickets are mailed approximately two weeks before the trip.More information can be found on the Reading and Northern Railroad's Passenger website at www.rbmnrr-passenger.com.