(This visit was made during the times of Covidious in May. When things return to a look of normality - your experience likely will vary.) Update Time: A brief Internet search will tell you that PA has got a crap ton of tourist train rides that you can take. Pandemics aside, under normal conditions there are 8 or 9 operating lines east of the Susquehanna which is a hell of lot more per capita than you'll find pretty much anywhere else in the country. You've got everything from a national park operation funded by the NPS in Scranton to the Strasburg Rail Road which is sort of the gold standard of the tourist railroad experience and many others in between. With that said, if you're looking for what small time single line branch line railroading was like a century ago, this is it right here in Kempton. While I don't get out here nearly as often I did at one point, the beauty of coming here is that literally nothing ever changes. You're riding on the same rails that people's grandparents and great grandparents would have taken to go from a few of the small neighboring farming towns along the line to Slatington High School or for a few of the commodities the were shipped out by rail such as cement or potatoes. The operation at the WK&S is pretty simple. Basically they run every Sunday from May through the beginning of November with a few event weekends thrown in like the obvious festivities around Christmas. Departure times are almost always on the hour between 1pm-4pm and the typical consist will be one of their diesel-electric engines, a coach, their open car and a caboose. The round trip from Kempton to Wanamaker and takes about 40 minutes to go the 6 miles. Two of the big perks here are that they are dog friendly and that your ticket allows you to ride all day, so if you i.e. show up this Sunday for the 2pm departure you can ride the 2, 3 and 4 for one price. That stuff doesn't apply for the Christmas trips but it's good for the bulk of their rides all season long. Sure, over the years the railroad has had a few problems such as an embezzlement issue: www.mcall.com/news/mc-xpm-2014-05-07-mc-pennsylvania-money-stolen-from-hawk-mountain-tr-20140507-story.html I also have the distinction of being on what is probably the only train in their 50+ year history that hit a car. It happened 10+ years ago at Trexler crossing (the only real crossing on the line where traffic is a possibility) and afterward everyone on the train had to walk the short remaining distance back to the station. www.mcall.com/news/mc-xpm-2009-09-07-4437179-story.html Overall the price is very economical and the scenery with Hawk Mountain, the orchard, the creek, the track side house with the horses are all unique. Sure Kempton is in the middle of nowhere but trip out there is worth it to get a completely authentic experience unchanged by time. read more

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Thought we were going to be in a train not a caboose. There was barely room for the 11 peopleI inside it! Not a very helpful staff. We had tickets for the 12:30 train 7/20/25. we asked the woman taking tickets where to get the train and she did not know. We had bought tickets for the inside passenger train only to find out we had to sit in an over crowded caboose with practically no visibility sucking in diesel fuel! Very disappointing. Not worth the time or the money. read more

I was on a 1917 train. So cool! Trains are in very good condition for their age. The ticket office and grounds are kept very nostalgic and clean, and decorated nicely for the autumn season. Old-timey music is playing at the depot. Staff and engineers are dressed neatly and appropriately. Lots of kids! There's a vintage car from the late 19th century set aside with a model train display inside. Put together very well! There are 2 passenger coach cars and 1 open air caboose pulled by a modern engine car. Once on the train, you have the option to get off the train and pick fresh apples off trees at the nearby apple orchard. Get to look out the window and view beautiful scenery. Lots of free parking. Only 4 stars because I wish the ride was longer. 40 mins just isn't enough time to digest the wonderment of riding on a vintage train. read more

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We recently attended their Harvest Moon event. The business is not following recommended guidelines for health and safety regarding the pandemic, despite the declaration on their webpage that they are doing so. The train was filled to 100% capacity, masks were optional, train windows were closed. We were shocked and dismayed by this business's complete disregard for the wellness of employees and customers alike. Unrelated to health and safety issues, our train car had a small group that was rowdy and at times obscene, and the conductor did absolutely nothing. One family with young children departed the car quickly at the first opportunity to remove them from hearing the language and comments. We very much want to support small local businesses and we've been delighted by prior experiences with this railroad. Their current disregard for following their own stated safety precautions, and their choice to make masks optional for guests traveling in close proximity in a closed space, points to a shocking disregard for customers and employees, unnecessarily creating a dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation. read more

The WK&S Railroad, also known as the Hawk Mountain Line is located in Kempton PA, about 25 miles west of Allentown, pa. Runs from Kempton Station to nearby Wanamaker Station, a 3 mile run that takes about 15 minutes. You can get off at the norther station and take pictures, walk around, things like that. There's a concession stand that has cheap food, and a gift shop that has rail related items, film, batteries, etc. 8.00 for adults, 4.00 for children, it is an all volunteer organization that only runs on he weekends, with both steam & diesel locomotives. no AAA discounts, but they do have a waiting room that has a brochure for wk&s r.r. that has a "save .50 cents per ticket" coupon. read more

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This is just such a nice family orientated activity. We went for the pumpkin patch ride. Kids loved the train, they got to pick a pumpkin at the Wanamaker's station just in a grassy area along the tracks and they had hay bails and costumed witches there which made for cute photos. They also let the kids pick a sticker face to decorate their pumpkin.The shops, refreshments, fall decorations at the station very nicely done and very clean. Don't miss the model railroad display in a train car, kids loved that too. read more

We love this railroad. Very family oriented. Economical by RR standards--you pay one price and can ride all the runs that day. Their steam engine is not running right now, but my kids don't care. Their snack bar and store are reasonable. read more

Great tourist line. Nestled in scenic valley,feels like your back in time. Ride is good,train full.