Jim Thorpe and Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway
PRINT THIS PAGEAugust 14 2010
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JIM THORPE and LEHIGH GORGE SCENIC RAILWAY
SAT – AUGUST 14, 2010
The historic town of Jim Thorpe, PA was formerly known as Mauch Chunk, a Leni Lenape Indian name which means “Mountain of the Sleeping Bear.” The scenery is breathtaking as the mountains present a new face every season. The steep hillsides, narrow streets, and terraced gardens earned Mauch Chunk the nickname “The Switzerland of America”.
6:00 AM depart the north end of the Park & Ride on Deereco Road, ¼ mile south off Padonia Road (exit 17 off I-83) and 6:30 AM from Carney Park & Ride on Harford Road, Jomat Avenue, ¾ mile north off beltway exit 31-B, and 6:45 AM from Mt. Road & Joppa Road Park & Ride (exit 74 off I-95). 9:00 AM arrive in Jim Thorpe, PA. The day will begin at the Old Mauch Chunk Train Station, located in the heart of downtown. The station serves as a visitor center for the town. 9:15 AM walk across the street for the next stop at the Old Mauch Chunk Model Railroad Display. This highly-detailed model train display measures 47 feet by 22 feet and features 13 separate mainlines measuring 1,087 feet of track, with some engines pulling as many as 50 railroad cars over 200 structures—including houses, churches, stores and much more. 10:15 AM the tour will continue to St. Marks Church. The first Episcopal Lay Worship services were held in Mauch Chunk in 1829 by William H. Savre, a devoted churchman. 11:00 AM arrive at the Asa Packer Mansion Museum. The mansion overlooks the historic district of Jim Thorpe. The home looks much as it did when it was built in 1861 when the Packer family resided from 1861 until 1912. Asa Packer was a philanthropist, railroad magnate and founder of the Lehigh University. The home was constructed over two years at a cost of $14,000.00 and today the equivalent would be 2.3 million. The home consists of 3 stories, 18 rooms and approx. 11,000 sq. ft. of living space. 1:00 PM lunch included at Emerald Restaurant & Molly Maguires Pub. 2:30PM depart for Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railroad. 3:00 PM “All Aboard” for a 16 mile roundtrip. You will ride the former mainline of the Jersey Central Lines leaving Jim Thorpe. The line swings onto the former Lehigh Valley main line before passing Glen Onoko. Follow the winding Lehigh River, rounding curve after curve until reaching Old Penn Haven. 4:00PM return to Jim Thorpe to visit the shops in the quaint town. 5:30 PM board the coach and depart for home. Fastfood stop on own en route before returning approximately 9:00PM to Mt. Rd. Park & Ride, 9:15PM Carney Park & Ride, and 9:30 PM Deereco Park & Ride.
Cost of Trip:
$95.00 per person. A $45.00 deposit per person is required to confirm the reservation. Balance is due 30 days prior to departure. Seats will be assigned upon final payment.
Price Includes:
• Round trip motorcoach transportation
• (1) lunch
• Old Mauch Chunk Model Railroad Display
• St. Marks Church
• Asa Packer Mansion Museum
• Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railroad
