Colebrookdale Railroad places 2nd in USA Today contest

The Colebrookdale Railroad was voted the No. 2 Best Scenic Train Ride in USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice travel competition.

“The Colebrookdale Railroad continues to amaze old and young alike and the results of this poll prove it,” Berks County Commissioner Christian Leinbach said in a news release from the railroad. “When considering how short a history we have as a tourist RR, it is stunning to be voted as the No.2 tourist railroad in the entire United States. Special thanks to Nathaniel Guest for his vision and the unbelievable Colebrookdale RR staff, volunteers, and patrons.”

Montgomery County Commissioner Dr. Valerie A. Arkoosh added, “We are fortunate to have a resource like the Colebrookdale Railroad in our region and have been happy to partner with Berks County to support its restoration. This No. 2 Reader’s Choice ranking is a well-deserved acknowledgment of the robust community support for this historic gem.”

The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad that runs between Chama, N.M., and Antonito, Colo., was voted No.1

The public voted on the nominations made by an expert panel.

Also this month, Tripadvisor rated the Colebrookdale Railroad in the top 10% of all attractions across the world.

“We want to thank the community for voting for us, for writing your reviews, providing ratings, and saving us as an attraction to follow,” said Nathaniel Guest, executive director of the Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust.

The railroad also recently received other major awards. In June, Berks County beat 3,200 other counties in receiving an innovation award from the National Association of Counties for the Colebrookdale project.

Also, in June, the National Endowment for Humanities recognized the railroad with a CARES Grant. The railroad was one of only 317 out of 2,300 candidates. The Colebrookdale Railroad will be part of the George H.W. Bush Points of Light Awards Celebration Inspiration Honor Roll, a celebration that will be livestreamed on Sept. 26.

The trust is the nonprofit restoring and operating the Civil War-era Colebrookdale line operating between Boyertown and Pottstown.

MEDIANEWS GROUP FILE PHOTO Colebrookdale Railroad came in second in USA Today’s Best Scenic Train Ride contest. The results of the contest were announced Friday.