ASHLAND — Camden Clauss, 6, of Lake Ariel gave a thumbs up while standing in front of a 1927 steam locomotive during Pioneer Day at Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine & Steam Train.
Camden and his father, Andrew Clauss, waited out the rain to enjoy the day at the attraction.
The celebration, held annually since 1992, is the biggest event of the year at the former coal mine, which began operating as a tourist attraction in 1962.
“It was cool,” Andrew Class said of the ride on the locomotive which took passengers to the top of a hill overlooking the area.
The rain did put a bit of a damper on attendance as of 1:45 p.m., according to Anita Fegley, an employee at Pioneer Tunnel.
Fegley said 204 tickets were sold for the coal mine tour and 158 for the 30-minute locomotive ride.
Departures usually start at 10:30 a.m., but didn’t start until 11:15 a.m. on Saturday due to the weather, tour guide Josh Laughlin said.
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Jason Strausser, 30,and his son, Asher, 2, wait for a train ride at Pioneer Day in Ashland, Saturday, July 19, 2025AMY MARCHIANO/STAFF PHOTO (AMY MARCHIANO/STAFF PHOTO)
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A steam train at Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine on Pioneer Day. AMY MARCHANO/STAFF PHOTO (AMY MARCHIANO/STAFF PHOTO)
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Jason Strausser, 30,and his son, Asher, 2, wait for a train ride at Pioneer Day in Ashland, Saturday, July 19, 2025AMY MARCHIANO/STAFF PHOTO (AMY MARCHIANO/STAFF PHOTO)
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Tents were set up for visitors to purchase various items and food. The gift shop was a busy place for people trying to escape the rain.
About 50 people boarded for a ride, learning about the history of Pioneer Tunnel and the importance of coal in the area.
“All aboard,” said Laughlin.
Rose Strausser and her husband, Jason, both 30, and sons Asher, 2, and Ezra, 10, have been to the attraction before, but wanted to come back.
“He loves trains. He’s excited,” Jason said of his younger son, who occasionally blew on a wooden train whistle.
Asher was initially excited, but perhaps the thrill was too much for him, and he fell asleep as his father held him, covering his ears when the locomotive’s whistle blew.
Tina Schock, 57, and her husband, Donald Weinreich, 64, of Westminster, Maryland, had their grandson, Daniel Simms, 4, with them for the weekend.
The couple was staying in Elysburg when they read a pamphlet about Pioneer Tunnel, and decided to make the trip to Ashland.