Upcoming Events
Hand on the Throttle - Fall 2026
Save the Dates!
October 30th, 31st and November 1st, 2026
Have you ever dreamed of operating a steam locomotive? Then make your dream come true at the Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine and Steam Train in Ashland, Pennsylvania.
Join us on October 30th, 31st, and November 1st, 2026 for our Hand on the Throttle experience as you operate a historic steam locomotive at an anthracite coal mine.
An experienced steam engineer will brief you on the locomotive controls, then you’ll take command of the Lehigh Valley Coal Company #123. This Vulcan-type narrow-gauge steam locomotive was built in 1927 and operated at the nearby Park Place Colliery.
Reserve your timeslot:
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/pioneertunnel/2363669
When : October 30th, 31st, and November 1st, 2026
Where : Ashland, Pennsylvania
What: One full trip up Mahanoy Mountain and back for each participant, 1/2 hour time slots (follow link above for availability)
Cost : $75 per person plus recommended $1 donation or more for preservation efforts (thank you!)
Age: must be 18 or older
The event will run rain or shine, and tickets are non-refundable.
All proceeds go to restoring Pioneer's second Lokie - the Lehigh Valley Coal Company #119 from the Buck Mountain Colliery.
Whistle Blow - Fall 2026
Save the Date! November 7th, 2026
Bring your steam whistle to our second whistle blow event at the Pioneer Tunnel!
We'll have our #123 Lokie steamed up and ready for your steam whistle. This is a great opportunity to share it with other steam whistle enthusiasts.
Each 20-minute session can accommodate 3 whistles. You'll get 5 minutes for set up and disconnection with 15 minutes to blow your whistle along with the other two participants in that session.
You'll need to purchase a ticket for each whistle you want to hook up ($25 each + recommended $1 or more donation to our #119 restoration fund). Ticket purchases are NON-REFUNDABLE.
It is the responsibility of each whistle's owner to ensure the whistle has a proper working valve safely and securely fitted to the whistle. Whistles are subject to inspection for safety before being hooked up to the manifold.
We have a 3-whistle manifold with 2" NPT hookups. We'll also have a variety of reducers on-hand for you to use if needed. Our Lokie produces 150 psi of steam.
We'll also have coal mine tours operating the day of the whistle blow. Mine tour tickets can be purchased separately the day of the event.
Reserve your timeslot:
https://buytickets.at/pioneertunnel/2363651
When : November 7th, 2026 (20 minute time slots - follow link above for availability)
Where : Ashland, Pennsylvania
Cost : $25 per whistle plus recommended $1 donation or more for preservation efforts (thank you!)
Age: must be 18 or older
The event will run rain or shine, and tickets are non-refundable.
All proceeds go to restoring Pioneer's second Lokie - the Lehigh Valley Coal Company #119 from the Buck Mountain Colliery.
