Colebrookdale Railroad Opens the Pottstown Steel River Station for Limited Holiday Special!

by Michele Barrett, Director of Educational Programs*

For the first time ever, The Colebrookdale Railroad will offer 35-minute train excursions out of the Pottstown Station!

From Friday, Dec. 16 to Saturday, Dec. 24, these excursions will delight the youngest of our riders, who are often not ready to be seated for the entire two-hour trains generally offered. 

Passengers of all ages, especially Harry Potter fans, will love these Christmas-themed train cars. This year, Santa visits the world of witchcraft and wizardry in style! Guests are warmly welcomed aboard The Magical Yuletide Express!

The Magical Yuletide Express consists of one locomotive and two spooky train cars that have been spelled [Phoenix (Beaver) and Patronus (Diplomat)]! Train riders will enter the ghostly chambers of seemingly-abandoned trains for 35-minute adventures intended for the youngest wizards in training and their muggle families.

“Guests will enter the winter wonderland and stroll the Great Hall,” describes Joan Hannahoe, train car decorator and long-time Colebrookdale Volunteer. “Riders should pull on their coziest, hand-knit sweater to join Father Christmas in a magical Wizarding Wonderland for the happiest Christmas ever. Magical charms abound! Children can find the invisibility cloak, try their magic with a snowflake-making spell, sway to the music of a Yule Ball, and wonder at the enchanted snow falling from the starry night ceiling. Little witches and wizards will delight as they discover the grotto full of fairy lights.”

According to Matt D. in his TripAdvisor review, “What an amazing experience for all ages! We will make it a new Christmas tradition. The historic train was beautifully preserved and decorated, along with the most accommodating, friendly staff. Highly recommend taking a ride on the Colebrookdale railroad!” 

Anyone interested in Colebrookdale’s more traditional Edwardian-themed Christmas trains with Santa, cocoa, and cookies should visit the website at www.colebrookdalerailroad.com. Colebrookdale Railroad will continue to offer traditional two-hour favorites -- Santa’s Polar Bear Express trains and ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas trains departing Boyertown, PA.

As this is the inaugural season of the Haunted Magical Yuletide Express, there are no bathrooms on board, and the train is not wheelchair accessible. Please plan accordingly. The train departs and returns to 61 West King St., Pottstown.

Groundbreaking for the Colebrookdale Railroad’s Pottstown Steel River Station was held in March 2019 in Pottstown’s Memorial Park. The Pottstown station, designed in French Renaissance style, will connect the railroad to other tourist destinations, including the Carousel at Pottstown and Pottsgrove Manor, the historic home of ironmaster John Potts, founder of the borough. The station project is funded by grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Multimodal Transportation Fund; Montgomery and Berks counties; the Pottstown Health and Wellness Foundation; the Scott and Susan Bentley Fund; Carl and Sylvia Landis; and Peggy Whittaker. As part of the project, the Pottstown Rotary Club sponsors improvements to support accessibility and boarding. *

More News from Boyertown

• Annual Multi-Service Tree Festival Dazzles with Holiday Spirit Multi Service event brings holiday cheer for a good cause.
• A Pictorial Tour Through the History of Boyertown: Main Street Businesses page 33 Main Street--page 33