Our History
Pioneer Tunnel is owned and operated by Ashland Community Enterprises, a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation established in 1962 as a tourist attraction dedicated to promoting and preserving the history and heritage of the anthracite coal mining region.
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At the time of its founding, funding consisted of monies contributed by its board members, a federal government loan, and donations from the local community.
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The history of the Pioneer Tunnel, the steam locomotives, and the ACE organization is detailed in "The Story of Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine and Steam Train" authored by its founding member, Emil R. Ermert.
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ACE emerged as an organization during the early 1960's through the efforts of Ashland Borough council members seeking a way to generate tourism to boost the local economy. Through discussions it was realized that, although the area had several abandoned mines, not one of the mines was open to the public.
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The decision to focus on the rediscovery and preservation of a local abandoned underground coal mine was supported by the fact that the Borough of Ashland was founded upon the anthracite coal mining industry. The borough council members selected the Pioneer Tunnel as the focus of the revitalization and restoration project.
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Pioneer Tunnel was the name given to an underground anthracite coal mine located in Ashland which had ceased operations in 1931. The underground mine portal, which is a tunnel through solid rock, was re-timbered and rehabilitated. Through the leadership of borough council and community members, the portal to the underground mine was uncovered and prepared for exploration by tourists.
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Adjacent lands were cleared, and a steam locomotive was also incorporated into the attraction. At one point during the development of the attraction, two coal veins, the Primrose Vein, and Mammoth Vein were penetrated in order to open the tunnel and surrounding areas. The actual creation of the tunnel entry and multiple gangways was a major milestone in the creation of the historical attraction.
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Originally tourists traveled into the mine on foot. Today visitors ride 1,800 feet into the side of Mahanoy Mountain in an open-air mine car pulled by a battery-operated mine motor.
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Two steam locomotives, known as "lokies," were purchased from a scrap yard and restored for use at the Pioneer Tunnel. A contest among local school children was held and lokie #1 was named the "Henry Clay." In 2024 The Henry Clay was restored to an earlier paint scheme as the Lehigh Valley Coal Company #123 when it worked in the Park Place colliery. This change is part of Pioneer Tunnel’s efforts to represent the entire anthracite region.
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Since 1962 the Lokie has been taking passengers on a scenic three-quarter mile ride around the side of Mahanoy Mountain. The tour includes a stunning vista, a replica bootleg mine, and a view of the Bancroft Mammoth Vein Stripping area.
