Next on the List: Train Rides

[magnusfide]

For the next couple of years we're going to try to do the train rides near our destinations. One on the list will be the the Hiwassee Loop train ride out of Etowah, TN during our trip to the Chattanooga area.

On a different trip we'll stay at Pegasus Farm Campground and take the the Durbin and Greenbrier Valley RR out of Elkins, WV.

Any other one day RR excursions that you've enjoyed and would suggest?

[Dave2001]

Cass Scenic Railroad is about 50 miles from your campground. Great ride up the mountain using shay locomotives. Definitely a good day trip.

[jplante4]

Branson (MO) scenic line.

[BB_TX]

I definitely recommend the Cumbres & Toltec Steam Railroad. You ride the train one way and a bus the other. I recommend the train from Antonito to Chama and the bus back. That direction you start in the high arid desert like area and climb into and thru the mountain passes, gorges, and high alpine meadows, before descending in Chama. Going out on the open air car is great for picture taking.

[DutchmenSport]

Whitewater Valley Railroad in Connersville, IN. Fantastic State Parks and State Recreation areas within a reasonable driving distance: Whitewater State Park, Brookville State Recreation Area, Mounds Campground (not Anderson, Indiana). Brookville and Whitewater are are 2 most favorite parks in Indiana. The train ride is great! In the summer they do a train robbery re-enactment where bad guys on horseback hold up the train. Of course when the bad guys are walking the aisle in the cowboy garb, they are taking donations to keep the enactment financed. The train will stop at Metamora, Indiana where guests can visit the craft shops and village. Metamora celebrates a festival called, "Canal Days" where they have a working canal boat for visitors, still pulled by horses. The train route follows the original canal.

Connersville:












French Lick, Indiana:

French Lick Scenic Railway in French Lick, Indiana. A fun ride.






End of the line where we all got to get out and stretch a little. The engine had to reverse direction to go back to the station. It gave everyone a chance to use the Port-a-Johns and meet the engineer.

On the return trip back to the depot, the train actually derailed. That was a very interesting trip back to the depot, but they did provide transportation for us. It was truly a trip to remember:

[camperfamily]

Essex, CT. Train & Riverboat

If you like history and are OK without the ride check out East Broad Top RR in Orbsonia, PA. They open just a couple times a year for tours.

[trailertraveler]

Verde Canyon Railroad
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
Cass Scenic Railroad
Durango & Silverton Railroad
Strasburg Railroad

[Thom02099]

We had trains as theme one year here in Colorado. There are a variety of trains that one can do, and can actually be done relatively easily, though not cheaply. The trains we did were:

The Georgetown Loop in Georgetown CO
The Victor and Cripple Creek RR, between those 2 towns
The Silverton & Durango RR, between those 2 towns.
The Cumbres and Toltec RR, from Antonito CO to Chama NM.
The Pikes Peak Cog Railway (late great train ride-will be missed)

For Silverton & Durango, one can take the train both directions, or take the train up to Silverton and a bus back to Durango.

For Cumbres and Toltec, there are a variety of options for this trip, starting from either point, and involving a bus ride in the opposite/return direction. Or one can choose to go half way up, and return to your starting point, from either direction. IMHO, the best way to go is from Antonito to Chama, as the geographical change is more gradual that direction versus starting in Chama.

One we did not do, but should be considered as well is the Royal Gorge Route Railroad, near Canon City CO. There was also the Royal Gorge Scenic Train, a miniature railroad that one could take (think kiddie train, but for grownups as well), that would take you out to an isolated viewpoint and then loop back. Unfortunately, they stopped operation in 2012.

[Terryallan]

Ok. I don't know if you have children. BUT. around Christmas. The Great Smoky Mountain Railway has the "Polar Express" train ride. WELL worth the time, and money.

During the rest of the year they have dailey excursions from Brycon City to Dillsville and back. Thru the Nantahala gourge, and across Fontana lake.

Also at one time in the year. Thomas the Train comes to visit.

[kerrlakeRoo]

Tweetsie railroad. Blowing Rock N.C. :R

[Padlin]

Durango to Silverton CO was outstanding, the Verde Canyon in the Sedona area was worth the price but not as nice as the one in Durango.

[neschultz]

2 hour train ride from Williams, Az to the Grand Canyon. Then we took the bus tour and rode the train back. Very fun day.

[Lwiddis]

I enjoy Durango to Silverton in Colorado.

[GordonThree]

can't speak for any short rail trips. I've enjoyed several long haul trips on Amtrak; Chicago to/from California, and Chicago to Texas.

Some day I'd like to take the train to Churchill, MB on Hudsons Bay.