Already off to an auspicious start welcoming over 10,000 riders in the first week of 2026, the Reading & Northern Railroad passenger department has unveiled its slate of Bike Trains for the new year.

Operated by its Jim Thorpe-based Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway in partnership with Pocono Biking, the schedule has expanded from its 2025 schedule of 11 dates to 13 in 2026.

Bike Trains will begin Saturday, May 16, and run select weekends each month through September. After a year’s hiatus, a November date will once more be offered in 2026. Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026 will close out the year for Bike Trains.

Bike Trains offer something for all ages and ambitions. The most popular ticket is the “one-way,” where guests have their bicycles loaded onto specially constructed railcars at the Jim Thorpe Station.

Bicyclists enjoy a live-narrated, hour-long scenic ride in Standard Coach passenger cars 25 miles north through Lehigh Gorge State Park to White Haven. This affords them a chance to survey much of the terrain that they will be riding over back to Jim Thorpe, as a majority of the railroad route tightly follows the hiking and biking trail.

Upon arrival at White Haven, they are assisted off the train by the railroad’s friendly car hosts and receive back their pedal-powered conveyances.

The trail is located merely steps away from the White Haven depot. There, at their own pace, they begin their southbound journey over the winding (yet gentle downhill) path back to Jim Thorpe. No time limit is imposed to complete the trek; yet most visitors report on average a three-to-five-hour ride.

Those who do not have their own bikes, yet wish to experience this unique offering, may purchase a ticket that includes a rental bike from Pocono Biking. A limited number of rental bikes are allocated to the railroad for each Bike Train weekend.

Upon arrival in White Haven, rental customers are directed to Pocono Biking’s location right at the start of the Lehigh Gorge trail.

Train ride enthusiasts who wish to partake without the bicycling element can experience a 2-hour, 50-mile round trip train ride through the entirety of Lehigh Gorge State Park. Despite not participating in the train’s namesake feature, round-trip passengers are invited to briefly disembark at White Haven to stretch their legs while bicycles are unloaded before riding the return trip to Jim Thorpe. This is a popular option with returning visitors who have experienced the standard 16-mile Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway trip and want to see even more.

The other non-bicycling option is often chosen by the biggest rail buffs. A round-trip diesel locomotive cab ride on the Bike Train is the ultimate railroading experience. Cab riders can witness the scenic splendor of Lehigh Gorge State Park from the best seat in the house alongside the engineer. This one-of-a-kind experience is limited to two cab riders per trip. Tickets for this exclusive offering sell quickly and make great gifts.

All bike train tickets must be ordered by phone at 570-325-8485.