Pennsylvania Train Rides And Excursion TrainsAs the one of the busiest states in the country in terms of tourist railroads, Pennsylvania train rides offer just about everything you can imagine. The second most popular excursion in the country can be found at the Strasburg Railroad in Lancaster and many of the tourist lines operate historic steam locomotives to pull their trains. You can catch trolley rides at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, Electric City Trolley Museum and the Rockhill Trolley Museum, all of which use restored, period equipment. If you are interested in something a little more elegant, such as an onboard, prepared meal, the Tioga Central Railroad, in particular, offers dinner trains. In any event, if you are interested in a riding a train you cannot find a much better selection than what Pennsylvania has to offer. To learn more about the state's railroad museums please click here.
As such, the state was home to thousands upon thousands of miles of railroad allowing for numerous tourist railroads to pop up during the second-half of the 20th century. Today, Pennsylvania train rides like the historic Strasburg Railroad, Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad, New Hope & Ivyland Railroad, and others all look to preserve the state's history with trains and also offering guests several different excursion options. To learn more about them please read through the information below covering each in more detail (their websites are included). East Broad Top Railroad The East Broad Top Railroad historically is known for hauling coal on a line that connected Mt. Union to Woodvale, dating back to its charter in 1856. However, today it survives by hauling passengers and still uses steam locomotives to do so. Today, the EBT operates on the weekends between June and October and offers many special and seasonal excursions throughout the year including hosting "A Day Out With Thomas" the tank engine. For more information about riding the railroad please click here. Electric City Trolley Museum The Electric City Trolley Museum based in Lackawanna County and looks to preserve the interurban heritage of eastern Pennsylvania. In doing so the museum also operates a section of the Lackawanna & Wyoming Valley “Laurel Line” third-rail interurban right-of-way which begins its operating season each May. For more information about riding the trolley please click here. Fayette Central Railroad The Fayette Central Railroad based in Pittsburgh operates a short stretch of the Baltimore & Ohio's old Fairmont, Morgantown & Pittsburgh line which once connected all three cities (the former two are based in West Virginia). Along with its normal excursion schedule the FCRR also operates several special and seasonal trains each year using either traditional diesel locomotives or RDCs (Rail Diesel Cars). For more information about riding the railroad please click here. Kiski Junction Railroad The Kiski Junction Railroad is an operating freight railroad that hosts excursion trains, usually between June and October, with specials running through December. Normally train rides on the route last about 1 1/2-hours. For more information about riding the railroad please click here. Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway is based in Jim Thorpe, operating trains from the restored former Lehigh Valley railroad station. The train itself is operated by the Reading & Northern, a regional freight railroad, and it covers about 16 miles (roundtrip) following the Lehigh River, operating on trackage once owned by both the LV and Jersey Central. For more information about riding the railroad please click here. Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad The Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad is a freight railroad which connects its namesake cities. Along with freight operations the M&H also offers passenger excursions over 11 miles of its railroad, which runs from May through October. They offer a number of different events with their excursions throughout the year and perhaps best of all is their fully operational former Canadian National 2-6-0 #91! For more information about riding the railroad please click here. New Hope & Ivyland Railroad The New Hope and Ivyland Railroad is a very popular shortline/excursion carrier located in east-central Pennsylvania. Today the NHRR operates roughly 16.5 miles of railroad with a connection to CSX at Ivyland. While the railroad does have freight operations (which pays the bills!) it is perhaps best known for its steam locomotives and vintage railroad cars, which carry thousands of visitors annually. For more information about riding the railroad please click here. Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad The Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad, based in Titusville, operates on about 14 miles of track normally using a traditional diesel locomotive for power. Along with their standard excursions the OC&T also hosts murder mystery dinner trains throughout the year. For more information about riding the railroad please click here.
The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, based in Washington, looks to preserve the history of interurbans in western Pennsylvania. In doing so they operate a short stretch of trackage using vintage trolley cars between May and August, seven days a week. For more information about riding the railroad please click here. Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine & Steam Train The Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine & Steam Train, located in Ashland, serves a dual purpose of helping to preserve Pennsylvania's rich mining heritage as well as feel what it was like to ride trains powered by steam as well. The steam trains operate on about a 1-mile section of track using retrofitted mine cars to haul passengers behind an 0-4-0T steam locomotive. For more information about riding the railroad please click here. Rockhill Trolley Museum The Rockhill Trolley Museum, based in Rockhill Furnace, is the state' oldest such museum which looks to preserve the region's interurban history. In doing so they also operate a short stretch of trackage using one of their many operable trolley cars. For more information about riding the trolley please click here. Steamtown National Historic Site The Steamtown National Historic Site is a railroad museum complex operated by the National Park Service in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Today, they feature a wide collection of historic equipment in their restored roundhouse as well as offer guests short steam and diesel rides on the nearby rail line that runs through Scranton. To learn more about Steamtown please click here. Also, to visit their website please click here. Stourbridge Line Rail Excursions Based in Honesdale, Stourbridge Line Rail Excursions operates on trackage originally built and owned by the historic Delaware & Hudson Railway. This tourist line's claim to fame is that it operates just one of a few existing EMD BL2 diesel locomotives left in existence. For more information about riding the railroad please click here. Strasburg Railroad The Strasburg Railroad, located in the heart of Pennsylvania’s Amish community in Lancaster, is the country’s oldest railroad still in operation dating back to 1832. The railroad ceased moving freight long ago but now is essentially an operating history book featuring historic steam locomotives and uses restored, period equipment (dating to the 1800s) to offer guests everything from dinner train service to an open bar car for adults. To learn more about the railroad please click here. Also, to visit their website please click here. Tioga Central Railroad The Tioga Central Railroad is one of Pennsylvania's most popular tourist trains operating on trackage which once belonged to the New York Central railroad. Today, excursion trains operate on a section of line, which travels through the beautiful rolling hills of north-central Pennsylvania, owned by the Wellsboro & Corning Railroad, a freight line which also uses the tracks. Along with standard excursions the TCRR also hosts numerous seasonal and special trains during their operating season. For more information about riding the railroad please click here. Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern Railroad The Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern Railroad is based in Kempton, in eastern Pennsylvania, operating a unique blend of steam and diesel locomotives. Along with their standard excursions the WK&S also offers chartered trips. For more information about riding the railroad please click here. West Chester Railroad The West Chester Railroad is based in southeastern Pennsylvania and likely due to its close proximity to Philadelphia the excursion train is quite popular. It operates on trackage originally owned by the Pennsylvania Railroad, as remnants of the PRR remain everywhere, including over your head as the line was once electrified and the catenary poles still stand today. The 90-minute train ride offers three stops as historic stations which still stand, restored along the route (Westtown, Cheney, and Glen Mills). For more information about riding the railroad please click here. Please Click Here To Return To The Main Tourist Railroads Section
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