2025 a record-breaking year, as were 2024 and 2023, for RBMN, Railway Age’s four-time Regional of the Year.
The railroad operates freight and steam- and diesel-powered passenger excursions over 400 miles of track, owns almost 2,000 freight cars, and employs more than 400 people. It has 80 customers in nine eastern Pennsylvania counties (Berks, Bradford, Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Northumberland, Schuylkill, and Wyoming).
“Nationally freight traffic was basically flat [in 2025] as freight customers dealt with the twin impacts of tariffs and overseas economic slowdown,” RBMN reported. “Despite these trends, RBMN was able to achieve modest growth in freight carloads, which led RBMN to its highest revenue level in history. Anthracite coal remains a bright spot … RBMN exceeded one million tons of anthracite shipped over our lines for the third straight year.” That growth, it noted, is led by anthracite shipments to the domestic steel industry, and was supported by the purchase of additional covered hopper cars in December.
According to the railroad, Marcellus Shale drilling activity remained soft in 2025, but RBMN, in partnership with terminal operator Texas Sands, was able to increase business to 2,000 carloads. “Most of that growth was in the fourth quarter and RBMN expects 2026 to be our best year ever at our Tunhannock transload facility,” it noted.
RBMN also said it experienced “carload and revenue success” moving plastic resins, various forest products, metals, and food and ag commodities.
Based on preliminary forecasts, the railroad expects to increase both carloads and revenues “significantly” in 2026. Specifically, it projects 40,000 carloads, which it said will remove more than 220,000 trucks from the highway.
On the passenger side, RBMN eclipsed 410,000 riders in 2025—the first time ever. The department last year also celebrated its 40th anniversary.
In 2025, RBMN reported investing in equipment, track and people. It spent more than $8 million purchasing 117 freight cars, numerous vehicles and track equipment, and track and signal materials, and it continued to grow by hiring new employees.
In 2026, RBMN said it hopes to finalize its acquisition of the Luzerne County railroad operations. “Under public ownership, rail freight traffic has fallen,” the railroad reported. “RBMN has pledged to rebuild the freight franchise. And RBMN has committed to bringing its award-winning passenger service to Wilkes Barre. To that end, RBMN has already purchased centrally located property for its passenger station. And RBMN made an aggressive offer in September 2025 to purchase the properties for $10 million.”
“Thanks to our customer-focused staff, RBMN continues to enjoy growth year after year,” said RBMN Owner and CEO Andy Muller Jr., who was selected by Railway Age readers as a 2023 Influential Leader. “We continue to invest in our railroad to make sure we bring first-class service to our freight customers and our passenger riders. RBMN will continue to thrive and work with our communities and neighbors to expand our offerings.”
