BOYERTOWN PA – Saturday (April 20, 2024) marked the official opening of the Colebrookdale Creamery, a new fixture of the Colebrookdale Railroad station and yard at 64 S. Washington St., where ice cream and other treats await passengers and passers-by.
The creamery features ice cream produced by Longacre’s Modern Dairy in Barto, and its opening was accompanied by wine and wine slushies offered by the railroad creamery’s partner, Ridgewood Winery LLC of Birdsboro.
The creamery will operate weekly throughout spring and summer months on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Patrons can enjoy an assortment of ice cream, soda floats, snacks, iced coffees, adult beverages from Ridgewood Winery, and handcrafted sodas from Reading Soda Works, the railroad website reports.
Ride the rails this weekend
Train and railbike rides through the Secret Valley are the primary attraction of the railroad, and six are scheduled for the final weekend of April.
Planned are four railbike trips: on Saturday (April 27) and Sunday (April 28), respectively, both at 9 a.m. and noon. Also on the calendar are two train rides: The Secret Valley Cigar Run (limited to those age 21 and older) on Saturday at 6 p.m., and a Secret Valley Sunday Splendor Run appropriate for all ages on Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
Its railbikes (above), the railroad explains, “are people-powered rail vehicles.” The low coefficient of friction of its 150-year-old steel rails make the bikes easy to pedal, and available to persons of all ages. Railbikes seat up to four people. For groups smaller than four, the railroad recommends chartering a three-seater bike. One of its crew will ride along and “assist with peddling.”
Upcoming spring excursions involve trains to celebrate Cinco de Mayo and Mother’s Day. On June 8 (Saturday), the railroad also will debut its first “Trivia Night Train.”
Observing Autism Awareness Month
The Colebrookdale Railroad is observing April as Autism Awareness Month, and offering anyone on the autism spectrum a free ticket to ride its train as well as a 25% discount on tickets for their family. Advance reservations are needed, and can be booked online or by calling the station at 610-367-0200.
When booking, let the railroad know how many individuals in a party may be on the autism spectrum. To ensure discounts are properly received, remember to apply them to each individual ticket at checkout. Simply select “add promo or discount code” and enter the appropriate code for members of the party. For tickets for the individuals on the autism spectrum, use the code “AutismAware.” For the 25% discount for remaining family members, use the code “FamilyAutismDiscount.”
If you need any assistance booking, call at 610-367-0200. The offer expires May 31, and also is not valid for Colebrookdale’s Mothers Day excursions on May 11-12. Ticket requests will be honored with total confidentiality, and as a result the railroad will not ask for proof when tickets are purchased or picked up.
During the ride, remember to wear something blue to show your support.
Photos provided to Travels With The Post by the Colebrookdale Railroad
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