More than 20 railroad-themed museums, organizations and preservation societies joined forces Saturday to launch the first-ever Tamaqua Railfest.

The event took place throughout the downtown area but was anchored at the 1874 Philadelphia and Reading Railroad passenger depot.

The depot garnered national recognition starting in March by being featured on a USPS postage stamp.

The festival told of other success, such as the Little Schuylkill Coal and Navigation Railroad. Begun 1829, it is regarded as the first in the United States to transport coal using a steam engine.

In fact, Tamaqua’s coal-hauling rail line, surveyed and laid out in the 1820s, is the oldest in the entire New World still in use for its original purpose.

“It’s still the same rail bed,” said event organizer Dale Freudenberger.

An expert in the field said Tamaqua rail history is nothing short of remarkable.

“This rail line featured steam for almost 125 years,” said professional geologist Scott Herring. “And it’s the oldest operating coal railroad in the New World, possibly in the world, but that distinction still needs to be verified in England.”

Hundreds packed the depot concourse all day long. An additional 110 tourists arrived via Budd diesel train cars from Reading Outer Station.

Many of those were greeted by Linda Gallo Yeich manning an information booth.

“We are the welcome table,” said Yeich, of the Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce.

Many visitors were drawn to the event to revisit their past. They said trains were a special part of their youth.

“My father would bring myself and brother Joe and he’d sit us down so we could watch the train,” said the Rev. Jim Ward, 77, retired priest with 50 years

of service to the people of the Allentown Diocese.

“I was born in Coaldale and raised in Tamaqua. I’m a train enthusiast.”

A couple from Rush Township said Railfest brings sights and memories that are especially meaningful in their lives.

Dan Deeble’s father, Arthur, worked as a brakeman for the Lehigh Valley Railroad.

Coincidentally, his wife, the former MaryAnn Camerini, said her father, Joseph Camerini, worked in the Reading Railroad shops maintaining the train brake systems.

“He’d bring my mom, me, brother Joe and sister Patti to see the trains,” she said.

Both have fond memories of their childhood in a rail family. The two took a train ride through the Tamaqua Tunnel and on to the Hometown High Bridge.

Another was interested in the role of the railroad, local geology and natural resources.

“I came for the mine tour,” said Michele Griffiths of Nesquehoning.

Outdoor exhibitors included information booths about rail history along with vendors selling coal and railroad memorabilia such as T-shirts. Also offered were original paintings and photography of the coal and railroad industry done by local artists.

With interest and enthusiasm running high, organizers said they expect the unique event to flourish and become a tradition.