Ashland, Pennsylvania: Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine and Steam Train

Travel by rail a quarter-mile into a mountain to experience the dark, chilly world of an anthracite coal mine. Open as an attraction since 1962.

Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine

Just scrolling through all of your wonderful news and I came across the Coal Mine Tour PA, in the New Tips section. The Tour being described is none other than the Pioneer Coal Mine in Ashland (next to famed Centralia, PA). I took the museum tour about 2 years ago when I visited Centralia and indeed, you do go 1,000 feet down into a very chilly mine and they do turn out the lights! The tour is actually very insightful and run by the gosh-darn nicest old miners you have ever seen.

In addition, the country's oldest running steam locomotive runs on a small 5 minute jog up a mountain. When you get to the top the guide spins some tales about mining and claim jumpers, as well as the "tragedy" of neighboring Centralia (best viewed in the morning, when the heat of the ground burns off the dew in great clouds of steam!).

[Dave Inkpen, 03/10/1999]

Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine

You take the coal train down in the mine for 500 feet, then walk the next 500 in. The temperature is always a cool 55 degrees. Really scary when they turn out the lights.

[Dan Carlin, 02/11/1999]