Legal argument over taxes threatens popular rail attraction

Original airdate: 10/8/2019 | A popular Carbon County tourist attraction could derail.

Jim Thorpe officials say the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway may leave the borough over taxes.

Vintage coaches follow the Lehigh River, travel past Glen Onoko, to Lehigh Gorge State Park. The train ride is a popular tourist attraction. But a recent borough audit found the rail line hasn't been paying an amusement tax. This led to a legal argument, where the consequences could be anything but amusing.

The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway is a 45-minute ride through Jim Thorpe and the Pocono Mountains. It's a big draw for tourists like Alston Boyd and Kate O'Neal.

"It was beautiful, excellent..our first time on," O'Neal laughed.

However, a battle over taxes threatens to derail the good times.

"It's the law that they pay this amusement tax. We certainly don't want them to leave."

Borough Council President Greg Strubinger said the rail line, which is part of the Reading Northern Railway, owes around $90,000 in an amusement tax, a tax 10 other businesses pay.

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