The Reading & Northern is a step closer to purchasing rail lines owned by the Luzerne County (Pa.) Redevelopment Authority, shown on this map with thick orange lines. The redevelopment agency and county council have both approved an offer from the R&N. Luzerne County

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — A deal is at hand to sell rail lines in Luzerne County, Pa., to the Reading & Northern Railroad following results of two board meetings this week.

The R&N has offered $7 million for the lines currently owned by the Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority, and says it will spend another $3 million to upgrade the tracks to be able to handle excursion trains. The redevelopment agency accepted that offer on Tuesday, Sept. 29, and it was also accepted by the Luzerne County Council on Wednesday, Sept. 30, the Wilkes-Barre Citizens’ Voice reports.

The redevelopment authority had initially accepted an $8.2 million offer from R.J. Corman Railroad Group, which currently operates 27 of the 60 miles of authority-owned trackage and right-of-way under a deal expiring Oct. 30. But the county council — which has right of approval under a deal settling a lawsuit between the council and redevelopment agency — vetoed that deal [see “Luzerne County, Pa., council rejects …,” Trains.com, Sept. 23, 2026].

The county council voted 9-1 in favor of the sale to R&N. Council member Harry Haas voted against the deal, the Citizens’ Voice reports, saying he would prefer to have the county maintain ownership. Along with its approval of the offer, the county council authorized County Manager Romilda Crocamo to negotiate a final agreement.

The R&N first made an offer for the line well before it was officially placed up for sale, informing the redevelopment agency of its interest in a letter made public exactly one year ago. At that time, R&N owner Andy Muller said the railroad would pay $10 million and build a new passenger station in Wilkes-Barre with its own funds.

That proposal evolved into the current $7 million cash and $3 million in infrastructure work after the official request for proposals for sale of the rail lines was issued earlier this year [see “Redevelopment agency in Luzerne County …,” July 30, 2026].

— To report news or errors, contact trainsnewswire@firecrown.com.

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