Stories of Lansford, a history trolley tour, launches later this year, as the Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau readies to market the guided tours that explore the borough’s rich history.

Marianne Rustad from the visitors bureau on Tuesday updated Lansford Borough Council on the tours, which will launch the first three Saturdays of the holiday season.

“We got our plan all worked out and everything is coordinated,” she said, noting that the owner of the Jim Thorpe Trolley Co. did a trial run of the route earlier in the day. “We’re all set to go. It’s almost set up on our website and almost ready to be marketed.”

Rustad invited borough council to attend a staff tour with them on Nov. 22, which will be a complete run-through of the tour.

“I think you would really like to see a different perspective from other people on the tour, what they think of it,” she said. “I can tell you all that the trolley owner who was driving today was so into this tour, the history of this tour.

“He felt it was going to sell out and be a great product to offer,” Rustad said.

The four-hour tour, which is being done in partnership with the Lansford Historical Society, Lansford Alive, the Borough of Lansford and the No. 9 Mine and Museum, begins and ends at the No. 9 Mine.

The tour includes two guided museum tours, including the new Dorrance Fan House building at the No. 9, and stops at historical sites such as the Welsh Church, Old Jail and the historical society.

The tour, which includes a catered lunch at The 80s Bar, also explores the role of coal mining in the areas and ties to the Molly Maguires and infamous murders.

“We really would love your feedback and for you to experience this,” said PMVB’s Marlyn Kissner. “This is really something we think is going to bring visitors and guests to town. We’d love to have you join us.”

Rustad pointed out that some exciting things are happening in the Panther Valley with the 9/11 Memorial Trail and the Panther Valley Blueprint Community team about to embark on its revitalization plan, in addition to the visitors bureau’s initiatives.

“I think you’re going to see and hear some really positive forward momentum on the Panther Valley,” she said.

Councilwoman Gwyneth Collevechio thanked Rustad and Kissner for their efforts to get the trolley tour up and running and shining a positive light on the borough.

After the trolley tours in December, the visitors bureau will be looking at the data and feedback on the tours and look at future initiatives.