Easter Train Ride Locations: A Complete Guide
Last revised: March 1, 2025
By: Adam Burns
As excursions have grown in popularity over the years at various railroad museums and tourist lines many have added themed train rides to their schedules running throughout the year as a means of further increasing interest (although few draw the demand of Polar Express trips during the Christmas season).
In recent years this has also included the Easter holiday where trips usually revolve around the famous Easter Bunny.
For some, these rides kick off their annual season, which usually runs throughout the warmer months each year. Provided here is a list of known organizations that offer such trips, broken down by state.
Southern Railway GP30 #2601 is the power for the North Carolina Transportation Museum's "Easter Bunny Special" and has stopped at the Barber Junction depot during Easter of 2014.Since Easter falls in either March or April each year temperatures are still relatively cool for many areas of the country.
So, if you are interested in taking a train ride during this time you may wish to dress warmly! Different organizations advertise their trains by various names from the "Cottontail Express" to "Peter Cottontail Express."
Whatever the name the event is usually similar wherever it is hosted with train rides offering kids a chance to see the Easter Bunny or Peter Cottontail, hunting Easter Eggs, and enjoying various other activities.
Alaska
No events known.
Arkansas
No events known.
Colorado
No events known.
Connecticut
Railroad Museum Of New England: The Railroad Museum of New England operates the Naugatuck Railroad between Waterville and Thomaston, Connecticut over the former New Haven.
They have preserved equipment on the property of nearly all of the region's notable railroads such as the New Haven, Boston & Maine, Maine Central, Rutland, and Bangor & Aroostook. Each spring they host the Easter Bunny Express.
Delaware
Wilmington & Western Railroad: The Wilmington & Western, located in Wilmington, is a popular freight railroad which also offers steam-powered excursions on a 10-mile segment of a former Baltimore & Ohio branch. During the spring they play host to a special Easter Bunny Express for the kids.
Hawaii
No events known.
Idaho
No events known.
Iowa
No events known.
Illinois
No events known.
Kansas
No events known.
Louisiana
No events known.
Maine
No events known.
Massachusetts
No events known.
Minnesota
No events known.
Mississippi
No events known.
Montana
No events known.
Nebraska
No events known.
Nevada
No events known.
New Hampshire
No events known.
New Mexico
No events known.
North Dakota
No events known.
Oklahoma
No events known.
Oregon
No events known.
Rhode Island
No events known.
South Carolina
South Carolina Railroad Museum: The South Carolina Railroad Museum, based in Columbia, predominantly looks to preserve the state's railroad heritage and has a wide collection of equipment on its grounds while also offering short train excursions. Each spring they host their Easter Bunny Eggspress for the kids.
South Dakota
No events known.
Utah
Heber Valley Railroad: The Heber Valley Railroad is Utah's only excursion train, operating a wide variety of excursion and special trains, powered by both diesel and steam locomotives, throughout the year from its home base in Heber City.
One of their specials is the Easter Bunny Train hosted each spring where the 40-minute trip lets kids meet the Easter Bunny, have sing-a-longs, and enjoy other activities.
Vermont
No events known.
Virginia
No events known.
West Virginia
No events known.
Wisconsin
No events known.
Wyoming
No events known.
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