The WK & S Railroad – also known as the Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern Railroad, is a small tourist railroad located in the northern tip of Berks County, Pennsylvania.  The railroad runs on three and a half miles of track that were once part of the Schuylkill & Lehigh branch of the Reading Company system.  The Reading Company was known as a mighty coal hauler, but the S&L was a rural agricultural branch sometimes called the “Slow & Lonesome.”  The branch was perhaps best known for the “Berksy,” a local passenger train that carried students to and from the only area high school at Slatington.

Riding the WK & S Railroad

Although not very big, the WK&S is largely unmatched in terms of authenticity and scenic diversity.  Passengers are treated to rolling farm fields including an orchard and often a pumpkin patch.  There are forests, fills, cuts, tree covered hills, a bridge over scenic Ontelaunee creek and the two old-time towns of Trexler and Wanamakers.  Passengers even get a good view of their own train thanks to some sharp curves along the line.  Due to a rural somewhat isolated location, things haven’t changed much over the last hundred years.

For more information on operating hours, visiting guidelines and admission rates please visit https://kemptontrain.com/ or call 610-756-6469.