pioneer tunnel coal mine & steam train

pioneer tunnel coal mine & steam train印象

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  1AZAdventurer

  We recently visited the Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine where we donned jackets and rode a train into the tunnel where a guide told us about the rigors of coal mining. Be sure to wear a jacket or you will get cold since the temp averages 52 degrees. We had a large crowd of people on our tour so sometimes you had to wait to see what the tour guide was talking about but we were never rushed and had the time we needed to look at things. They also had a little snack bar where we bought a light lunch for a reasonable price. The gift shop was excellent and the attendants friendly and helpful.

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  dawnscookie

  This was a great trip. I have been here in the past but finally got to take my whole family. The kids absolutly loved it. The train ride was rough but that's what comes with a 100 yr old train. The engineers really new there history they could answer every question that was thrown out at them. Sceenery just breath taking. The coal mine was great too. I think that was my kids favorite part. All the history about the mines and how the kids worked on the mines really caught their attention. Just need to go and check it out.

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  KORI3D

  Guide leaves out no information and he's great with kids. Very historical attraction with plenty of things to do.

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  PaulZottoliJr

  Me and a friend were doing a Sunday fall foliage drive up to through eastern Pennsylvania coal country. As we drove into Ashland we saw a peculiar statue. Its Whistler's Mother sitting in a chair...bizzare..but just the type of weirdness that I like. The town has a main drag that's very long. Its easy to see how this street was hopping back in the day. Then we looked up things to do and a tour of the Pioneer coal popped up. Yes! Let's do this. Its really cool you get in a people loader and descend into the coal mine. At the end of the descent everyone gets out and the guide explains how the coal was mined. Then the really cool part he shuts off the lights. Its a very very intense complete darkness with a touch of true primal fear. This is what being trapped in a coal mine in the dark is like. A little unsettling. Then all is back to normal. The lights are back on and your counting quietly to yourself until your back out of the mine.

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  522KarenR

  I had never been inside a coal mine before and found it extremely interesting. However if you are afraid of enclosed spaces, you should probably skip the underground trip (we had to back out as one guy freeked out shortly after the coal cars went into the tunnel). I found the history and processes quite interesting and our guide had previously been a coal miner. It was nice and cool on a hot July day (maybe 50*).What was really amazing to hear is how there is enough coal in PA to fuel the electricity in the US for the next 200 yrs or so, but most of it is being sold to China (with US regulations it is getting too expensive to turn into electricity here). After going in the mine, I wish we had also taken the train ride to see the strip mining, however we forgone the last trip of the day prior to going in the mine.

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  VickiH493

  My husband and I had checked out of our bed and breakfast in Berks County that morning and were looking for something to do. I called ahead of time because we were over an hour away to make sure that it was open at the time and I asked the girl how often the coal mine rides ran because we had a tight schedule and had to leave by 2 PM because from there we were going to Lancaster county and thad things reserved. She assured me they ran every HALF hour. So, we drove over an hour to get there to find out they go every HOUR and that the coal mine ride that was just getting ready to leave was full, so we would have to wait a full hour. I was beyond irritated. We could have waited 30 minutes to get on one and still left at 2 in time to be where we needed to be, but we couldn't wait a whole hour. We then just decided to get lunch in the snack/cafe and it was ridiculous. For the prices they charge, they could at least give yous ome lettuce and tomato for your sandwich. My husbands chip cheesesteak was steak and cheese only and very greasy. We basically drove almost 2 1/2 hours total for nothing (to get there and then back). What a waste of time and gas. oh and we used the restroom before we left to get back on the road and the toilet seat was taped together with duct tape. How attractive. NOT.

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  FamilyTime23

  This is not the best marked place to locate but is worth finding. In August there is a Block Party in the park below the tour. Not to miss the home cooked food from local churches and fire companys .Look for BOGO coupons for the mine tour.

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  Coach_Que

  Being born in the area and having family that worked in coal mining industry for years this was a great opportunity to show my teenage daughter what it used to be like. The mine tour was very interesting and the guide was very informative. Make sure you take a jacket, which we did, it is quite cool down there but a nice break in August.I wasn't impressed with the steam engine ride but it did stop in some scenic spots overlooking the valley. It was also an informative trip.

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  APL708

  My friend and I stopped here on our annual roadtrip. We did the coal mine tour and the train ride tour. It was really interesting to get into the coal mine and learn how the mined it out years ago. Our tour guide was awesome and made the experience even better. After the mine tour, we went on the train ride. The conductors talked about the train and the mines. It was a simple yet interesting history lesson. A fun stop for all ages.

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  journalmytrips

  I was looking for an interesting stop on our road trip and found reviews for this site. We had visited coal mine sites but not an anthracite coal mine. I knew that tours of the mine were offered at certain times so we planned to arrive early enough to buy our tickets. While we waited for the tour, we looked around the gift shop which had a good selection of coal related items. The ride into the coal mine consisted of three cars with benches. It was a very bumpy, teeth jarring ride so be prepared. At one point, you get out to walk around a bit with the guide who was very informative. The mine is located across from a park so you can picnic there.