Quick Answer
The WK&S Railroad in Kempton, Pennsylvania, offers a relaxed 40-minute historic train ride that works well for families looking for something different to do together. Children get the excitement of a real train, adults get time to slow down and enjoy the scenery, and grandparents often get the chance to share railroad memories of their own. With regular Sunday rides, seasonal events, and a setting in northern Berks County, it can be an easy family outing from Reading, Allentown, Pottsville, and surrounding communities.
What makes a train ride a good family activity?
Some family outings are built around keeping everyone busy every minute.
A train ride is different.
At WK&S Railroad, part of the fun is simply being together. The whistle sounds. The conductor calls, “All aboard.” Children start looking out the windows before the train even begins to move. Parents settle in. Grandparents point out things they remember from years ago.
Then the train begins its trip through the Pennsylvania countryside.
That slower pace is one of the reasons historic train rides work so well for families. Nobody has to keep up with a packed schedule. Nobody has to move from attraction to attraction. You can sit together, talk, look outside, take pictures, and enjoy an experience that feels a little different from everyday life.
Our regular ride is about 40 minutes round trip. Along the way, passengers travel through forests, past streams, across bridges, and through the old-time communities of Trexler and Wanamakers.
For younger children, the train itself is often the adventure.
For adults, it can be the chance to slow down.
For grandparents, it may bring back memories of a time when rail travel was a much more common part of life.
That mix is what makes a railroad outing work across generations.
Is WK&S Railroad a good place to bring children?
Yes. Families are a big part of what we do.
Children often arrive excited before they even see the locomotive. Once they hear the whistle, watch the train pull into the station, and climb aboard, the experience becomes something they can feel and remember.
We see families come for regular Sunday rides, special events, seasonal traditions, and simple afternoons together.
One of the things we enjoy most is watching children experience a real railroad for the first time. A toy train is fun. A video of a train can be exciting. But standing near a locomotive, hearing the sounds, seeing the equipment up close, and riding through the countryside creates a different kind of memory.
Parents often enjoy the outing because it is simple. You do not need to plan an entire day around it. A 40-minute ride can fit into a larger day trip or stand on its own as the main event.
Families can also make the visit more relaxed by planning time before or after the ride for photos, the station area, or other nearby stops in northern Berks County.
What ages enjoy a historic train ride?
One of the best things about WK&S is that there really is no single “right age.”
Toddlers may be fascinated by the size and sound of the train.
Elementary-age children often enjoy watching the scenery, asking questions, and learning how the railroad works.
Teenagers may enjoy history, photography, or simply having something different to do with the family.
Adults often appreciate the scenery and the chance to unplug for a little while.
Grandparents sometimes enjoy the ride for an entirely different reason. Trains can bring back personal memories, family stories, or connections to Pennsylvania’s long railroad history.
That is why we often describe WK&S as a place for “kids” of all ages.
Can grandparents and grandchildren enjoy WK&S together?
Absolutely.
Some of our favorite moments happen when more than one generation climbs aboard together.
A grandparent may remember riding a train years ago. A child may be experiencing one for the first time. Suddenly, the ride becomes more than an outing. It becomes a conversation.
We have seen grandparents point out equipment, explain what a caboose was used for, talk about trains they remember seeing, and share stories that might never come up during a regular afternoon at home.
That is one of the quiet strengths of a historic railroad. It gives families something to experience together and something to talk about afterward.
What can families expect during a regular WK&S train ride?
A regular WK&S ride is a 40-minute round trip from our station in Kempton.
The route includes Pennsylvania countryside, wooded areas, streams, bridges, and views that feel far removed from busy roads and everyday errands.
The experience is intentionally simple.
You board the train, settle in, and enjoy the ride.
Some passengers spend most of the trip watching out the windows. Others take pictures. Families talk. Children watch for bridges and changes in the scenery. Railroad fans pay attention to the equipment and operation.
On certain visits, families may also choose experiences such as riding in an authentic caboose or planning a picnic at Fuhrman’s Grove, depending on the schedule and availability.
Before visiting, we always recommend checking the current schedule and event details so you know exactly what is available that day.
See the current train schedule
What family events does WK&S offer during the year?
Regular train rides are only part of the story.
Throughout the season, we offer special events that give families a reason to return more than once.
Depending on the time of year, our calendar may include family experiences such as Easter rides, Touch A Train family days, apple-picking rides, pumpkin patch trains, holiday pottery trains, and Santa Claus Express rides.
Fall is especially popular because the ride combines cool weather, changing scenery, and seasonal traditions.
For 2026, our fall calendar includes the Apple-Pickin’ Train, Pumpkin Patch Train, and other special experiences. The Pumpkin Patch Train gives riders a chance to travel to the WK&S pumpkin patch, select a pumpkin, and continue the fun back at the station.
Later in the year, the Santa Claus Express brings Santa, Mrs. Claus, Frosty, and the elves aboard for a holiday ride that has become a family tradition for many visitors.
Special events can have different ticket requirements from regular rides, so checking the event page before making the trip is important.
Is WK&S close enough for a family day trip from Reading or Allentown?
For many families, yes.
WK&S Railroad is located at 42 Community Center Drive in Kempton, Pennsylvania, in northern Berks County.
That makes us a practical day-trip option for families coming from Reading, Allentown, Pottsville, and nearby communities. Our location also draws visitors from farther away who are interested in historic railroads, scenic rides, or seasonal events.
For families in Berks County and the Lehigh Valley, one advantage is that you can enjoy something memorable without building an entire weekend around the trip.
You can come for the train ride, spend some time in the area, and still be home the same day.
That matters to families who are looking for an outing that feels special without becoming complicated.
What should parents know before bringing children to WK&S?
A little planning helps everyone enjoy the day.
Here is a simple family checklist before you leave home:
- Check the train schedule for your date.
- Review the event page when attending a special event.
- Purchase tickets in advance when reservations are required or suggested.
- Arrive with enough time to check in before departure.
- Remember that trains leave on schedule.
- Plan restroom stops before boarding because there are no bathrooms on the train.
- Bring a camera or phone for family pictures.
- Dress for the weather and season.
- Give younger children a little warning that train whistles and railroad sounds can be loud.
For special events, ticket procedures may be different from regular Sunday rides. Your confirmation email does not replace the ticket you receive at the station, so plan to report to the ticket office when you arrive.
You can review planning information here
Why do families keep coming back to places like WK&S?
The answer is not really about transportation.
Most people are not coming to WK&S because they need to get from Kempton to somewhere else.
They are coming because the ride itself is the experience.
Families are looking for ways to spend time together that feel genuine. They want activities that give children something to remember. They want places where grandparents can be part of the fun. They want local outings that do not require hours of planning.
A historic train ride naturally creates those moments.
A child waves at the engineer.
A parent takes a picture.
A grandparent tells a story.
Someone hears the whistle and smiles before they even realize they are doing it.
Those small moments are what turn an afternoon into a family memory.
What makes WK&S different from a modern attraction?
We have not tried to turn the railroad into something it is not.
WK&S is a historic railroad experience.
That means the equipment, the sounds, the station, the countryside, and the slower pace are part of what makes the visit special.
You are not stepping into a highly polished theme park version of railroad history. You are climbing aboard a working heritage railroad that has been preserving and sharing this experience for generations.
Our volunteers are a big part of that story. They help maintain equipment, operate the railroad, welcome visitors, and preserve a piece of Pennsylvania transportation history.
For families, that authenticity can be especially meaningful. Children get to see something real. Adults get to appreciate the history. Everyone gets to share the experience together.
Is a family train ride worth adding to your fall plans?
We think fall may be one of the best times to visit.
Northern Berks County changes quickly as summer gives way to cooler weather. The countryside begins to show more color, families start looking for weekend activities, and seasonal events become part of the calendar again.
A train ride fits naturally into that rhythm.
You can enjoy the scenery without having to drive while looking at it. Children have something exciting to focus on. Adults can relax. Seasonal events give the day an extra reason to feel special.
For families already planning apple picking, pumpkin patches, or other fall outings, a historic train ride can become part of the tradition.
Ready for a family day at the railroad?
Sometimes the best family memories come from doing something simple together.
At WK&S Railroad, we have watched generations of families climb aboard, hear the whistle, settle into their seats, and discover that 40 minutes on a train can become one of the stories they talk about long after the ride is over.
Should you be looking for a family-friendly train ride near Reading, Allentown, Pottsville, or anywhere around northern Berks County, we would love to welcome you to Kempton.
Check the current schedule, choose the ride that fits your family, and come make a memory with us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is WK&S Railroad good for young children?
Yes. Young children often enjoy the sights, sounds, and excitement of riding a real train. Parents should remember that train whistles and railroad sounds can be loud, so preparing children who are sensitive to noise can make the visit more comfortable.
How long is the WK&S train ride?
Regular rides are approximately 40 minutes round trip from the Kempton station.
Where is WK&S Railroad located?
WK&S Railroad is located at 42 Community Center Drive, Kempton, PA 19529, in northern Berks County.
Do families need reservations?
Regular train tickets can be purchased online or at the station, while certain special events require or suggest reservations. Always check the specific event page before visiting.
Are there bathrooms on the train?
No. WK&S advises visitors to use the restroom before boarding. Restrooms are available at the station area, but not onboard the train.
What kinds of family events does WK&S offer?
The schedule changes throughout the year, but family-oriented events may include Easter rides, Touch A Train days, apple-picking rides, pumpkin patch trains, holiday events, and the Santa Claus Express.