Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine & Steam Train
Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine & Steam Train
4.5
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Tour Pennsylvania's mining history at these mines.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
303 reviews
Excellent
201
Very good
80
Average
13
Poor
3
Terrible
6
Grace
Frackville, PA1 contribution
Aug 2020 • Family
The tour guide called my party “a**holes” (but used the full word) in front of the entire group because we didn’t feel comfortable squeezing into a small train car with people we didn’t know who weren’t wearing masks. We were shocked that a business owner would yell that his customers were “a**holes” in front of the entire group of customers. So rude and unprofessional. Not worth the money and I will be telling everyone I know not to go here.
Written August 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason K.
2 contributions
Aug 2021
I went here nearly 40 years ago as a kid with my family and I had always wanted to bring my kids. We were planning to make our annual trip to Knoebels and saw that we had time to schedule a scenic train ride. Not only is the train ride really neat (but bumpy and that is well-communicated), but the engineer gave an incredibly detailed history of the area as well as how they are working hard to preserve history and a new appreciation for coal.
We then did the coal mine tour. BRING A SWEATSHIRT (or buy one). It is cold in them there hills! The tour guide has been a miner since the late 90's and shared his and his family's experience as well as how the mines worked. It was absolutely engaging and personally too. The younger kids were a little cold and losing attention, but my older son was really engaged and even bought some chunks of coal to take home and examine.
Everything took a little longer than expected so we ate at the Jellybucket Cafe and it was GREAT! I was super impressed with the burger. Nothing fancy, but it hit the spot. The fries were amazing and handcut and of course Middleswarth chips!
We then did the coal mine tour. BRING A SWEATSHIRT (or buy one). It is cold in them there hills! The tour guide has been a miner since the late 90's and shared his and his family's experience as well as how the mines worked. It was absolutely engaging and personally too. The younger kids were a little cold and losing attention, but my older son was really engaged and even bought some chunks of coal to take home and examine.
Everything took a little longer than expected so we ate at the Jellybucket Cafe and it was GREAT! I was super impressed with the burger. Nothing fancy, but it hit the spot. The fries were amazing and handcut and of course Middleswarth chips!
Written August 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bob W
Olyphant, PA1 contribution
Aug 2020
Not really busy this yeare because of the virus. This allows both the Mine Tour Guide and the Train Engineer extra time to explain and provide a history of the area. Both were very informative. Well worth the time and low cost of the adventure.
Written August 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ShaneSellsSeashells
271 contributions
Oct 2024 • Family
I enjoyed the architecture of the town as I drove in Ashland on the way to the tunnel. After purchasing the tickets I took a stroll outside and read the message center looking signs that they had, along checking out the tons of petrified trees, coal and machinery. The mine cart reminded me of a hayride and the descent down was a bit spooky yet fascinating. The cool air with a hint of smoke felt like you were inside of a humidifier. The occasional drips of water descending from the darkness made me jump a bit. The tour guide was cheery and did a great job explaining the history of the mine. It was mind boggling to see the size of the veins! The fungi was fun to hunt for too!
My family also enjoyed the steam train. It really felt like you were taking a step back in time! The outlook and the site of the top of the vein was neat. The Mrs. Ts pirogies and kielbasa references were such a wholesome nod to Pennsylvania.
My family also enjoyed the steam train. It really felt like you were taking a step back in time! The outlook and the site of the top of the vein was neat. The Mrs. Ts pirogies and kielbasa references were such a wholesome nod to Pennsylvania.
Written October 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ForestersWife
54 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
We took the last tour into the coal mine on a Sunday evening and there were only five of us (total) on the tour. The tour guide, Mark Lawrence, was not only knowledgeable, he was hilarious and made the whole experience memorable. We have been on lots of tours - from dog sledding in Alaska to sea kayaking in Maine - and Mark ranks as one of our favorites. You can read about coal mining; you can watch a documentary about coal mining; but nothing compares to riding a coal train 400 feet below the surface of the earth to comprehend what is involved with this dangerous job - until you take one of these tours with one of the best guides there is. Highly recommend. 👍🏼
Written August 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jon Osborn
Wilmington, DE8 contributions
Aug 2022
We had a great time. My kids 7 and 10 really enjoyed the ride into coal mine and the tour. The coal mine and train ride last about an hour and 15 minutes. If you're doing both, make sure you buy the 2 for 1 deal and not each one separately. Everyone who works there is super nice. We really enjoyed ourselves. Now as far as another review on here goes; if you go visit a coal mine, don't be surprised that they maybe support the coal industry. As far as the place being run down, I thought the whole place was charming. It's run by people who are passionate about the place. And finally, yes, it's cold and damp in the coal mine, because it's a coal mine. Bring a hoodie.
Written August 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason H
Addison, NY11 contributions
Aug 2019
Excellent exhibit. Coal mine tour was great. 5 y/o son really enjoyed it. In the mine they have different scenery set up to recreate old time coal mine experience.
Written January 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Denis A
Scarsdale, NY35 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
Called to check whether they would be open for Easter weekend and was told yes. Confirmed a week before arriving if they would be open on Easter weekend and the lady on the phone again confirmed they would be open. I drive 1.5 hours to get there on Easter weekend and guess what: THEY'RE CLOSED!!! A few other families were told the same thing and were ticked off they drove so far for nothing. Next time, don't take their word for it - try to book a time on their website before you come. If you can't get a time they're probably closed.
Written April 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alice_lenthe
West Chester, PA282 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
We went here on a BOILING HOT day and not only was it fun, it was cool! Needed jackets in the tunnel. We learned so much about coal mining in PA from our guide, Joe Kehoe, who was a miner himself! Really fascinating stuff. Then we road the steam train, engineered by Josh, and learned more about coal mining plus a lot of interesting stuff about steam engines too. Made for a fun day!
Written June 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dundeeboy
Holland, PA184 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
The mine tour was great and very informative the grandkids loved it. Make sure you bring a sweatshirt preferably with a hood. It’s August and the ceiling dripped with condensation. Gift shop is also packed with little treasures. Recommend the package with the train ride.
Written August 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It was inexpensive. Includes a ride into the coal mine in the coal cars they used years ago. I'm claustrophobic, but it didn't bother me at all. It was 86 degrees out the day we were there, and it was cold in the mine. Bring a sweatshirt.
Written July 18, 2018
Hi, How much time for mine tour,train ride same question? Are they very busy on weekdays?Any food at site? Thanks
Written August 12, 2016
The cafe is called the Jellybucket Cafe. See the separate listing on TripAdvisor.
Written August 13, 2016
I was going to Elysburg pa one day and got lost in a town near there that had a statue in front of someones house that had coleminers and a wagon coming out of a mine. does anyone know where this house is located....wanted to show my kids on our next trip
Written March 16, 2015
I was on my way to Elysburg Pa one day and took a wrong turn went through a town but do not remember where I was. There was a house with a statue of miners and a wagon that looked like they were coming out of a mine...does anyone know where that house is?
Written March 16, 2015
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