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Iowa Train Rides and Excursion Trains

As one might expect, given where the state is located, there are not many Iowa train rides to choose from with only the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad and Midwest Central Railroad offering excursions. Despite being home to only a few tourist lines both have a lot to offer visitors, such as the Midwest Central's impressive fleet of operational steam locomotives. If the railroad had a much larger section of tracks to run its fleet it would almost certainly be a major draw (much more so than it already is). To learn a bit more about Iowa train rides please read on below as each tourist railroad is briefly covered here with their contact/website information also included. Finally, if you are interested in knowing where the state's railroad museums are located please click here.

Iowa railroading is known for flat, open countryside and farmland as far as the eye can see. Historically, the state was once home to many of the famed "granger" railroads like the Chicago Great Western, Milwaukee Road, and Chicago & North Western which looked to tap Iowa's agricultural resources. The Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad uses a former stretch of original C&NW tracks to take visitors on a very nice excursion that features high trestles, rolling farmland, and along rivers. They also offer guests a wide range of riding options from dinner trains to holiday specials. If you have the opportunity I would definitely recommend stopping to visit either of these railroads, two very nice operations located in a state not really thought to have much in the way of train rides.

Iowa Train Rides And Excursion Trains

Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad

The Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad, based in Boone, Iowa, is actually a museum as well as an operating tourist railroad. The B&SV operates on former Chicago & North Western trackage (it was originally an interurban/trolley line) and today its trains are pulled by both steam and diesel locomotives, as well as restored trolley car #50 (they also have a very extensive collection of non-operating locomotives and cars). Lastly, the museum also hosts several special trains and events throughout the season like "A Day Out With Thomas" the tank engine. For more information about making a visit please click here.

Midwest Central Railroad

The Midwest Central Railroad, based in Mt. Pleasant is note quite as large as the Boone & Scenic Valley. However, it offers a unique collection of operating locomotives including 3-truck Shay #9 (a former West Side Lumber steamer), Baldwin #6 (a small 4-4-0 American), Baldwin #2 (a 2-6-0 Mogul currently being completely rebuilt), a German-built 0-4-0 steame, and two small diesel locomotive switchers. The railroad only operates on a 1 1/4-mile of trackage but its large collection of operating steam locomotives makes it a large draw to visitors every year. The Midwest Central also hosts a number of special events throughout the season. For more information about making a visit please click here.

Please Click Here To Return To The Main Tourist Railroads Section

To learn more about the history of Iowa's railroads please click here. Also, for more information about Iowa train rides you might want to consider the book Tourist Trains Guidebook, which is put together by the editors of Kalmbach Publishing's Trains magazine. The guide below is the latest, released in just April, 2011 that now includes more than 470 museums and tourist trains (it also lists all of Alabama's rail museums). In any event, if you're interested in perhaps purchasing this book please visit the link below which will take you to ordering information through Amazon.com, the trusted online shopping network.

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