Train enthusiasts were in heaven Saturday during the Second Annual Railfest at the Tamaqua Train Station and the surrounding area. From model trains, to railroad memorabilia, to rides on the Reading & Northern trains, it had something for everyone who loves trains.

“This is a unique event,” Dale Freudenberger, a member of the Railfest Committee, said of the festival. “I don’t know of any other rail, railfest, or railroad themed events in the nearby regions. So it’s unique.”

A variety of vendors was set up around the train station offering railroad related items for sale, displays of historical railroad memorabilia, and offering information on their organizations involved in restoring trains and preserving the railroad history of the area.

Visitors had the opportunity to purchase clothing, hats, paintings and photographs, model trains and accessories, railroad antique and historical items, and books and DVDs.

The Tamaqua Class of 2026 sold hot dogs and chips. Kays Kakes, who has a store on Broad Street, had a stand.

The Citizens Fire Company was selling cheesesteaks out of the fire house behind the station. And Olivia Quick, Little Miss Spirit of Christmas 2023, was on hand and had a display of their program.

While the main festival was held at the train station, there were other events going on around the downtown area. The Tamaqua Public Library at 30 S. Railroad St. offered free children’s train-related story times, a train display, and a giveaway.

The Tamaqua Community Art Center at 125 Pine St. featured a youth art display.

Other train-related events and displays were held at Hegarty Blacksmith Shop, Tamaqua Historical Society, and the Tamaqua Anthracite Model Railroad Club.

And of course, there were real trains, too.

A Reading & Northern Excursion train came from Reading to Tamaqua where the passengers disembarked and enjoyed the festival for several hours before returning to Reading.

A train ride from Tamaqua to the high bridge and back was offered in the afternoon.

Adele Berrios, Tamaqua, said her family loves trains.

“My kids like to go on the trains, and my husband. It’s a good time to spend with the family.”

Freudenberger said that preserving the history of the railroads is important to the local community.

“Well the train station here is the perfect example of why it’s important to preserve this history. Back in 1981 this station was vacant for like 20 years. It was lit on fire by vandals, scheduled to be demolished by the borough. That week, and Tamaqua Historical Society stepped in, saved it from the wrecking ball. The Tamaqua SOS, Save Our Station, was created to focus saving the train station.”

Today it’s the hub of downtown Tamaqua, and a center of activity.

“It preserves an important part of our history and our culture in Tamaqua,” Freudenberg added, “so that’s why it’s very important to do this. We could easily have walked away from this after the fire in 1981 and just said, ‘oh it’s burned, let’s just level it for another parking lot.’ And that’s what happens here and many other places. Preserving history is very important.

There were also historic tours of the train station and walking tours of downtown Tamaqua.

DJ Shawn Frederickson played train and railroad related music, there was a Molly Maguire Re-enactments on the stage.