Route 209 rockslide disrupts Jim Thorpe traffic and scenic railway rides

A rockslide on October 31 damaged a roadway and a retaining wall along Route 209 in Nesquehoning Borough, sending debris onto railway tracks below, WFMZ.com reported. The incident forced officials to close Route 209 between Route 903 and Route 93. WFMZ.com, WNEP, The Morning Call, Audacy, and DailyVoice.com all report that the landslide disrupted both local road travel and the operations of the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania. [1][2][3][4][5]

The closure blocks direct road traffic through Carbon County and impacts local businesses during a major fall tourism period, according to WFMZ.com and WNEP. Audacy and DailyVoice.com also report that the rockslide halted scenic train excursions through the area, while The Morning Call reported that popular scenic train rides out of Jim Thorpe have been relocated as a result of the track closure. [1][2][3][4][5]

As FTMQ Travel reported earlier, the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway suspended train operations indefinitely following the rockslide. Online and phone ticket bookings are paused through November 15, 2026. Travelers holding tickets for excursions up to November 15 can obtain full refunds or exchange their bookings for future travel dates. [10]