HONESDALE, Pa. — There are sounds unique to autumn in Pennsylvania: the sound of a whitewater rafting trip, the sounds of leaves blowing in the wind, the sound of tourists on a busy street in a small town...and the sound of, "all aboard!"
Honesdale, Pennsylvania's relationship with trains goes back to the 1820s as the birthplace of America's commercial railroad system with a run from this town to New York City.
For years the region had not taken advantage of this legacy. But a few years ago, the Stourbridge Line with classic, refurbished trains led by businessman Tom Myles saw a rebirth. Every year since, more cars and more specialty trips are added. Now thousands flock to this area to go back in time to ride back in time.
Jeff Hiller does group sales and everything in between, from collecting tickets to serving as a conductor and tour guide. For him, the crowds are a dream come true.
"We’ve learned that the event trains typically are what's working," Hiller said. "There's a lot of train rides. That's competition. That's the typical just hop on a train do a ride. You can do that almost anywhere. That's why doing these kinds of things, to make it more of an experience, that's our goal. Like I said, the dinner train right now, other than Santa and this, the dinner train is our number one seller."
For Hiller, trains are a way of life. He loves every part of his job, giving the tours of the area and fielding questions from guests. It's the exposure of this form of travel and the fun that comes with it that makes him happiest.
"The kids are what make it," Hiller said. "I mean, the adults ride the train. When the kids come, they bring parents and grandparents. We did Grandparents Day. We have a group that we hire from Allentown that does princess and superhero, and we did 'Bluey' and 'Bingo' this year. Oh my gosh. 180 people here for 'Bluey' and 'Bingo' on Grandparents Day. So that's nice. You make one kid happy, it's worth it."
The 90-minute train ride drives near water and rolling hills, and often guests catch a glimpse of the wildlife of the Pocono Mountains. It is a wonderful way to see things in the area that you might never see without the train, and it's a great thing to experience what train travelers did 150 years ago.
Chuck's Big Adventure in Pennsylvania: The Stourbridge Line scenic train excursions
Many of the guests are visiting the Pocono Mountain resorts, once a haven for honeymooners and now a destination for families from around the state.
"We have people that actually tell us that [they've] never been on a train in their life before, so what better place to do it than the place where it all started? I mean, that was really a fun, fun event. And there's so much here in the Poconos."
That's the Stourbridge Line, a locomotive that takes you quickly down the line to fun in the Pocono Mountains.