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New York Train Rides And Excursion Trains

Due to the state's long history with and importance to railroads (with cities such as New York, Syracuse, Buffalo, and others located there), it probably comes as little surprise that there are several New York train rides offered today, by many different organizations. Whether you may be interested in taking a long excursion in climate-controlled passenger cars through bucolic, rolling countryside, ride a restored trolley, or have your train pulled by a restored steam locomotive you can find it all in New York. Today, the state's excursions include the Adirondack Scenic Railroad, Arcade & Attica Railroad, Catskill Mountain Railroad, Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad, Delaware & Ulster Railroad, Finger Lakes Scenic Railway, Trolley Museum Of New York, Upper Hudson River Railroad, and trips offered by the Medina Railroad Museum. Also, if you might like to know about all of New York's railroad museums please click here.

Along with Pennsylvania, New York was the state years ago to watch northeastern railroads in action as dozens of well known companies could once be found there including names like the New York Central, Pennsylvania, Erie, Lehigh Valley, and numerous others. As such, New York also witnessed many well known passenger train names passing through its borders, most headed to or towards New York City. Many of the tourist railroads found in the state today look to preserve this history as well as providing passengers with a memorable trip by train. Depending on what your interests you can find about just about all of it in New York. In any event, to learn more about New York train rides please read the information below covering each in more detail.

New York Train Rides And Excursion Trains

Adirondack Scenic Railroad

Since their first trip in 1992 the Adirondack Scenic Railroad has grown by leaps and bounds, literally. Today, it operates two, unconnected sections of this former New York Central branch that once extended from Utica all of the way to Lake Placid to the north, a distance of over 150 miles. Their operations include a short 10-mile section of railroad between Saranac Lake and Lake Placid, and another 50-mile section between the town of Utica and Thendara, where it all began. Plans for the railroad include hopefully reopening the section between Thendara and Saranac Lake, a nearly 100-mile stretch of railroad that operates through New York's breathtaking Adirondack Park. For more information about riding the train please click here.

Arcade & Attica Railroad

The Arcade & Attica Railroad, based in Arcade, New York operates on trackage originally built and owned by the Buffalo, Attica & Arcade Railroad. The railroad also hauls freight with its passenger trains running between late May and December with several events and special trains operated throughout the season. For more information about riding the train please click here.

Catskill Mountain Railroad

Based in Mt. Pleasant, New York the Catskill Mountain Railroad operates on trackage originally built by the Ulster & Delaware Railroad, later owned by the New York Central. Today the railroad also operates freight service when possible and it eventually has plans to open the entire line between Kingston and Phonecia. Traveling through the beautiful Catskill Mountain region the tourist trains have become very popular with several specials operated each season. For more information about riding the train please click here.

Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad

The Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad operated by the Leatherstocking Railway Historical Society uses tracks originally built a railroad known as the Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley. With trains running through the upper Susquehanna River Valley using a handful of diesel locomotives for power. For more information about riding the train please click here.

Delaware & Ulster Railroad

The Delaware & Ulster Railroad, based in Stamford, like the Catskill Mountain Railroad operates on trackage originally owned by the Ulster & Delaware Railroad, which traveled through the scenic Catskill Mountain region. Today trains depart from the depot in Arkville with an operating season running between late May and October. For more information about riding the train please click here.

Finger Lakes Scenic Railway

The Finger Lakes Scenic Railway based in both Geneva and Watkins Glen is actually a freight railroad which hosts excursion trains using trackage once owned by the New York Central (their equipment actually uses a paint scheme derive from the NYC). The typical tourist train operating season is between May and December with a handful of special excursions operated throughout the year. For more information about riding the train please click here.

Medina Railroad Museum

The Medina Railroad Museum mostly looks to preserve the area's railroad history, notably that of the New York Central which operated through the town. The museum is housed in the NYC's former freight depot and also operates a 34-mile round trip excursion train along the Erie Canal Heritage Corridor during the operating season. The trains also operate specials throughout the year such as the Santa and wine trains. For more information about riding the train please click here.

Trolley Museum Of New York

The Trolley Museum Of New York features the state's only operating trolley at Kingston. The museum operates on 1 1/2-mile of trackage and uses the former yards of the Ulster & Delaware Railroad to store and display equipment. For more information about riding the train please click here.

Upper Hudson River Railroad

The Upper Hudson River Railroad based in North Creek operates through the beautiful Adirondack Mountains along the Hudson River. Their excursion trains use the Delaware & Hudson Railway's ex-Adirondack Branch with trips spanning 40-miles using Alco diesel locomotives for power. For more information about riding the train please click here.

Please Click Here To Return To The Main Tourist Railroads Section

To learn more about the history of New York's railroads please click here. Also, for more information about New York 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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