BOYERTOWN, Pa. — The Valhalla, a 1924 Canadian National coach, has become another first for the Colebrookdale Railroad. The car is now a one-of-a-kind, barrier-free, sensory-friendly classroom on rails.
“For 15 years, our nonprofit has established a record of doing things differently in service to our community and economic development mission,” says Nathaniel Guest, executive director of the Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust. “The Valhalla fits squarely in that nonconformist tradition.”
Tourist railways often are not able to offer experiences to thousands of passengers with disabilities, including mobility issues and sensory spectrum disorders, Guest says.
The Valhalla features a large baggage-style door for ease of access. The car interior has more open space, allowing passengers to move about more easily. For sensory needs, it features improved sound insulation and an enhanced suspension to dampen noises and vibrations. The car also has a “quiet space” should someone need a few minutes away from everything that is taking place. The interior is fashioned after the Pullman palace car era, and matches the motif of Colebrookdale’s other cars.
“The Valhalla is part of the total experience for people with special needs,” Guest says. “We are considering someone’s needs from the time they arrive until they leave the railroad.”
Addressing community needs is part of the Colebrookdale Railroad mission. In 2022, local medical system Tower Health found a regional need for nature access. Its study cited the mental and physical health benefits of being in nature, especially for those with disabilities. The Colebrookdale Railroad sought a means to address the need through the Valhalla.
“Trains like the Colebrookdale provide both active and passive access into nature, yet that access is cut off to the population that already has the most limited access to nature-based experiences — people with mobility concerns,” Guest says.
This is not the railroad’s first foray into addressing community needs. In 2023, the railroad took on job training for those with autism through its Rail Glider manufacturing and operation programs. Guest discusses how the Rail Gliders came about and how the program works during an episode of Trains LIVE.
For more information about the Colebrookdale Railroad, visit its website.
