Quick Answer
The WK&S Railroad has been preserving and sharing railroad history since 1963 with the help of an all-volunteer team. Volunteers maintain equipment, help operate train rides, care for the grounds, work special events, greet visitors, and tackle restoration projects that keep this little piece of Pennsylvania railroad history alive.
That dedication is a big reason families can still come to Kempton today and experience railroading in a way that feels remarkably close to stepping back in time.
How Has the WK&S Railroad Lasted for 63 Years?
The short answer is people.
The longer answer is a lot of people, a lot of hours, a lot of problem-solving, and probably more than a few weekends where someone thought, “Well, we’re already here. We might as well finish it.”
The WK&S opened for business in 1963. Today, its collection includes equipment connected to railroads such as the Reading Company, the Lackawanna, and the Lehigh & New England. Visitors can still ride behind vintage locomotives and experience passenger cars, an open observation car, and a Reading caboose.
Keeping all of that operating doesn’t happen by accident.
Someone has to inspect it.
Someone has to repair it.
Someone has to paint it.
Someone has to maintain the track.
Someone has to prepare the station.
Someone has to greet the families getting ready to ride.
And at the WK&S, volunteers are the people doing that work.
What Do WK&S Volunteers Actually Do?
A lot more than most visitors ever see.
When you come for a train ride, you see the finished experience.
You see the train pull into the station.
You see the conductor.
You see the ticket office, gift shop, food concession, railroad displays, picnic area, and equipment around the property.
Behind that experience are people working long before the first passenger arrives.
Our volunteers help with things such as:
- Railroad operations
- Locomotive and railcar maintenance
- Restoration projects
- Track and property maintenance
- Station operations
- Special events
- Ticketing and visitor assistance
- Food and gift shop support
- Historical preservation
- Behind-the-scenes projects that most guests never know happened
Some jobs require specialized railroad knowledge.
Others simply require someone willing to learn and lend a hand.
That combination has kept the WK&S moving for more than six decades.
Why Would Someone Volunteer at a Railroad?
That answer is different for every person.
Some of our volunteers love trains.
Some love history.
Some enjoy working with their hands.
Some like machinery.
Some enjoy meeting families and helping children experience their first train ride.
Others simply like being part of something that matters to their community.
Preserving railroad history also has a way of bringing generations together.
Someone who remembers trains from childhood may be working beside someone who discovered an interest in railroading only recently.
Knowledge gets passed down.
Stories get passed down.
Skills get passed down.
And eventually, so does the responsibility for keeping the railroad going.
Is Volunteering Really That Important to Historic Railroads?
Yes.
For a small heritage railroad, volunteers can be the difference between history being preserved and history slowly disappearing.
Historic railroad equipment needs ongoing attention. Buildings need care. Tracks need maintenance. Events take planning. Visitors need people there to welcome them and help everything run smoothly.
At WK&S, that work is especially important because the railroad operates as an all-volunteer organization and does not rely on grants or other public funding. Ticket sales, gift shop purchases, food sales, and volunteer effort all help make the operation possible.
That means a family purchasing tickets for a Sunday ride is doing more than buying an afternoon experience.
They’re helping support the railroad.
And the volunteer helping them aboard is giving something just as valuable: time.
What Does 63 Years of Volunteering Look Like?
It doesn’t always look glamorous.
Sometimes it looks like grease on your hands.
Sometimes it looks like working on a roof.
Sometimes it means repairing equipment in the heat or in the freezing cold.
Sometimes it means showing up early to prepare for an event.
Sometimes it means staying late after the last family has gone home.
Recently, our volunteers have been tackling restoration and maintenance work while continuing to support the railroad’s growing operational needs. WK&S leadership has also been actively looking for additional crew members and volunteers to help with those efforts.
That’s part of what makes 63 years so remarkable.
The work didn’t happen once.
People kept showing up.
Year after year.
What Are Volunteers Preserving?
They’re preserving more than locomotives.
The WK&S offers visitors a chance to experience a form of transportation that once shaped communities throughout Pennsylvania and the Northeast.
Our regular train ride is approximately 40 minutes and passes forests, streams, tree-covered hills, bridges, and the old-time communities of Trexler and Wanamakers.
At the Kempton station, visitors also see original Reading Company stations that were moved to the property, railroad equipment, displays, and other pieces of railroad history.
A child may simply think the train is exciting.
A parent may enjoy watching that reaction.
A lifelong railfan may recognize a piece of equipment immediately.
All three are experiencing history in their own way.
That’s what preservation makes possible.
Why Does This Matter Here in Kempton?
Because local history is easy to lose.
Big museums and nationally known historic sites often receive a lot of attention.
Smaller places can disappear quietly.
A building closes.
Equipment is sold.
A collection gets scattered.
Eventually, people forget what used to be there.
The WK&S gives people in Kempton and the surrounding areas something unusual: a working connection to the region’s railroad past.
Visitors also come from well beyond Kempton. The railroad is within driving distance of Reading, Allentown, Pottsville, Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York, and surrounding communities.
But its heart is still here.
In Kempton.
That local connection matters.
Do You Have to Know Anything About Trains to Volunteer?
No.
That may be one of the biggest misconceptions.
Not everyone who volunteers needs to arrive knowing how to operate or repair railroad equipment.
Historic railroads need many different kinds of people.
You may be someone who likes working outdoors.
You may enjoy mechanical projects.
You may be good with visitors.
You may enjoy events.
You may have construction, electrical, carpentry, painting, administrative, or organizational skills.
Or maybe you’re simply interested in learning.
Some jobs require training and experience, of course. Railroad operations have to be taken seriously.
But volunteering can begin with something much simpler: curiosity and a willingness to help.
Can Families Help Support the WK&S Without Volunteering?
Absolutely.
Coming for a train ride helps.
Attending one of our special events helps.
Buying something from the gift shop helps.
Having something to eat while you’re here helps.
Telling someone about the WK&S helps.
Bringing another generation to experience the railroad helps too.
The WK&S offers regular Sunday rides from May through the first Sunday in November, along with special events throughout the season. Those have included themed rides such as the Easter Bunny, Bow Wow Express, Apple Picking, Pumpkin Patch, Wine & Cheese, and Santa Claus Express.
Every visit keeps people connected to the railroad.
And every person who leaves saying, “We need to come back,” becomes part of its story.
What Can 63 Years Teach Us About Keeping History Alive?
History survives when people decide it matters.
That may be the simplest lesson of all.
For 63 years, people have decided that the WK&S matters.
They’ve given their weekends.
They’ve shared their skills.
They’ve repaired equipment.
They’ve welcomed visitors.
They’ve solved problems.
They’ve taught the next person how to do the job.
And somehow, year after year, the train keeps moving.
We think that’s worth celebrating.
Because when you hear that whistle in Kempton, you aren’t only hearing a train.
You’re hearing 63 years of people refusing to let a piece of railroad history disappear.
Want to Be Part of What Happens Next?
You don’t need to have spent your life working around trains to become part of the WK&S story.
You can start by visiting.
Ride the train.
Walk around the station.
Ask questions.
Talk with our volunteers.
And should you find yourself thinking, “I’d enjoy being part of this,” tell us.
There’s always more history to preserve, more work to be done, and another generation waiting for its first train ride.
After 63 years, we’re still here.
And we’d like to make sure that whistle keeps sounding in Kempton for many years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the WK&S Railroad run entirely by volunteers?
Yes. The Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern Railroad operates as an all-volunteer organization. Volunteers contribute their time to railroad operations, maintenance, restoration, events, visitor services, and many other jobs that keep the railroad running.
How long has the WK&S Railroad been operating?
The WK&S opened for business in 1963 and is celebrating its 63rd year in 2026.
Do I need railroad experience to volunteer at WK&S?
Not necessarily. Some railroad jobs require training or specific skills, but there are many ways people can help. A willingness to learn, contribute, and work with the team can be a great place to begin.
How can I support the WK&S if I can’t volunteer?
You can support the railroad by riding the train, attending special events, purchasing food or merchandise during your visit, telling others about the railroad, and returning throughout the season. The WK&S relies on ticket, gift shop, and food sales along with volunteer effort to keep operating.
Where is the WK&S Railroad located?
The WK&S Railroad is located at 42 Community Center Drive in Kempton, Pennsylvania. The railroad attracts visitors from Kempton and surrounding communities as well as Reading, Allentown, Pottsville, Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York, and other areas.
What can visitors experience at the WK&S?
Visitors can take a 40-minute scenic railroad trip through forests, streams, hills, bridges, and the communities of Trexler and Wanamakers. The Kempton station area also includes railroad equipment, historic stations, a gift shop, food concession, picnic area, and model railroad display.
About the WK&S Railroad
The Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern Railroad has been keeping railroad history alive in Kempton, Pennsylvania, since 1963. Our all-volunteer team works throughout the year to maintain the railroad, preserve historic equipment, welcome visitors, and create train experiences for families and enthusiasts of all ages.