ANDY MULLER NOMINATED AS RAILROADER OF THE YEAR

ANDY MULLER NOMINATED AS RAILROADER OF THE YEAR

Andy testing the highly acclaimed “2102” steam engine in early 2022. - Photo c.o. John McCardell

 

The Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad’s (RBMN) CEO, Mr. Andy Muller Jr. was recently nominated for the distinction of 2022’s “Railroader of the Year” in the renowned magazine Railway Age. His nomination was supported by letters and testimonials from dozens of elected state senators and state representatives, other regional officials, dozens of RBMN rail customers and the entire management of the Reading & Northern.

After considering many nominees, Railway Age named Katie Farmer, President and CEO of BNSF, Railroader of the Year. In announcing their decision, Railway Age noted that Farmer was a trailblazer in the industry by being the first female Class 1 CEO. BNSF is the nation’s largest railroad in both route mileage and revenues. BNSF is privately held by Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway holding company.

 

Andy was honored to be considered in such prestigious company and is appreciative of all the customers and regional officials who recognized the value of the company that he has built based on entrepreneurial values and his laser-focus on customers and employees.

 

In their letters of support for Andy Muller, customers and regional officials noted that he has built one of the finest regional freight railroads in the country over the last 30+ years. Key local figures such as Senator David Argall, Joseph Lettiere – President & CEO of CAN DO, Doug Topkis of Lehigh Anthracite Coal and Dick Yuengling, Jr. of Yuengling & Sons, Inc. wrote letters of support praising Muller’s investments in the region.


Over a little more than 30 years, Muller expanded a rundown group of tracks that served the Pennsylvania anthracite industry and turned it into a regional powerhouse serving dozens of major customers like Procter & Gamble, International Paper, Gallo Wine and Yuengling in addition to the anthracite and Marcellus Shale industries. He expanded his network to over 400 miles, 300+ full-time employees, over 70 locomotives, and 1800 freight cars. Under his leadership the RBMN has been named Regional Railroad of the Year multiple times and it has won the coveted short-line Marketing Award multiple times.

Muller has done all this while remaining privately-owned. Using his entrepreneurial skills and a focus on taking care of the customers and RBMN employees, Muller has built a corporate juggernaut that breaks its traffic and revenue records annually.

 

While growing the freight business Andy Muller has also built a world-class tourist railroad, which led to his recently winning the coveted “Heritage Railway Award”, Nowhere is Muller’s dedication to local communities more recognized that in Carbon County.

 

At a public meeting on December 1st, the Carbon County Commissioners adopted a resolution promoting Muller for the title of “Railroader of the Year. Chairman Wayne Nothstein and Commissioner Chris Lukasevich addressed the attendees by expressing their thanks for Andy’s pioneering spirit and significant contributions to the economic health of Carbon County residents and business districts.


Mr. Lukasevich remarked, “Carbon County has been blessed with pioneers in railroading over the centuries, including Asa Packer, Josiah White, and later on George Hart. But, it was Muller who has been the “Railroader of the Year” in Carbon County for the last two decades and we’re extremely appreciative of that.”

- An aerial view of Jim Thorpe during Fall Foliage

 

Carbon County is home to the famed “Switzerland of America”, Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Gorge State Park where RBMN’s scenic railway runs. With rolling hills, sprawling vistas, specialty shops, a multiplex of dining options, and outdoor adventures for the adrenaline lovers, it is a magnet for all walks of life.

Visit Jim Thorpe, PA: Jim Thorpe, PA | Visitor Information & Travel Resources (poconomountains.com)

RBMN’s Passenger Department reached record levels of ridership in 2022 under their popular moniker and aptly titled, “Leigh Gorge Scenic Railway” (LGSRY) which serviced over 250,000 passengers. With distinctions, such as the ability to serve over 7,800 customers in a single weekend, RBMN and LGSRY continue to pioneer quality of service while keeping the history of rail alive, delighting passengers of all ages through various seasonal trips, and a sundry of locomotive options.

In true RBMN spirit, Mr. Muller and his organization will continue into the new year with the same passion, energy, and innovative entrepreneurial excellence that has defined short-line railroading expertise for decades.

** Current offerings for passenger trips can be viewed here: Regular Schedule **

Undauntedly, and as a preview for 2023, RBMN’s Passenger efforts will expand further northward, freight services are expected to grow, and the newest acquisition of Nesquehoning’s industrial campus affords additional infrastructure opportunities to capitalize on a premier location.

RBMN’s culture and appreciation for the company’s legacy may be best exemplified by Andy’s daughter and member of the railroad leadership team, Tina Muller-Levan who accepted CC’s resolution in Andy’s absence stating, “He (Andy) is my Railroader of the Year”, a sentiment supported by all of RBMN’s management team and employees.

 
 

Special thanks to the following photography talent…

Reading & Northern Railroad, with its corporate headquarters in Port Clinton, is a privately held railroad company serving over 75 customers in nine eastern Pennsylvania counties (Berks, Bradford, Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Northumberland, Schuylkill, and Wyoming). It has expanded its operations over the last 30+ years and now handles over 34,000 carloads of freight and 225,000 excursion train riders over 400 miles of track. Reading & Northern operates both freight services and steam and diesel-powered excursion passenger services, owns almost 1,800 freight cars, and employs nearly 300 dedicated employees. Reading & Northern has repeatedly been honored as one of the premier railroad in the nation including being named Regional Railroad of the year in 2020 by Railway Age Magazine.

Matt Liptak