We’re a bit behind real-time with our On Location updates, but  on day two of Chris Brimley’s East Coast stay, we visited Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania.

Jim Thorpe

Jim Thorpe, PA is an old coal town that was served by the Lehigh Valley Railroad and the Jersey Central. A gravity railroad, known by some as Gravity Road, was also used to deliver coal from coal mines, down into the town itself. This gravity railroad was later converted to a thrill ride and considered America’s first roller coaster.

We toured the mansion of Asa Packer, wealthy railroad tycoon and owner of the Lehigh Valley Railroad. Interesting enough, his mansion overlooked the deport in Jim Thorpe which was own by Asa’s competitor, the Jersey Central.

Jim Thorpe is nestled down in a valley of small, Pennsylvania mountains and contains a quaint main street with rumors of a haunted inn. While there, we also took a 16 mile train ride on the Lehigh Gorge Railway. This trip took us from the Jersey Central station on Lehigh Valley track, over the Lehigh Valley River, pulled by two modern locomotives — I believe an SW8 and SD40.

We hope you enjoy the sights that we were able to capture on our trip.