Reading & Northern Railroad offers $10M to buy Luzerne County’s rail line by 2026 to restore freight and passenger service.

Reading & Northern Railroad seeks to acquire Luzerne County’s rail line by 2026 after making an unsolicited $10 million offer, aiming to restore freight service and launch passenger excursions from Wilkes-Barre to Pittston, connecting to tourism routes like Jim Thorpe. The county’s Redevelopment Authority has hired a consultant to assess about 55 miles of track, with a report due by February, followed by a public request for proposals. A lawsuit over a $3.28 million loan remains in discovery, while the authority works to fill a vacant board seat.