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Massachusetts Halloween Train Rides

Published: August 28, 2025

By: Adam Burns

Halloween in Massachusetts is a perfect mash-up of crisp nights, blazing foliage, and just the right amount of spooky. If you love trains, there’s no better way to lean into the season than a themed ride where costumes, candy, pumpkins, and vintage railcars set the scene.

While New England has a few high-profile Halloween trains across the region, Massachusetts itself offers a more intimate mix of family-friendly outings hosted by heritage railways and trolley museums. Here’s a detailed guide to the Bay State’s best bets, plus practical tips to help you plan.

Locations

Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum

If you’re looking for a quintessential Western Massachusetts fall day, the Hoosac Valley Service delivers. Operated by the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum, this short-line excursion runs between Adams and North Adams against a backdrop of mountain views and fiery foliage. Each October, the railroad typically layers on Halloween fun with family-focused Halloween Trains.

What to expect:

- A relaxed, scenic roundtrip on vintage coaches, usually about an hour.

- Themed departures on select October weekends. Some years include a brief stop so kids can pick a small pumpkin; other years feature in-car trick-or-treating, costumes, or simple crafts. Exact activities vary by season.

- A friendly, not-too-scary atmosphere aimed at younger children, though all ages enjoy the foliage and classic rail feel.

Why it’s great:

- It’s authentically local: you’re riding a real heritage railroad through a historic industrial corridor ringed by mountains.

- You can pair the ride with leaf-peeping hikes, contemporary art at MASS MoCA in North Adams, or cider stops throughout the Berkshires—making it an easy anchor for a full-day itinerary.

Planning tips:

- These themed trains often sell out, especially mid-October. Book early and don’t rely on day-of tickets.

- Costumes are welcome and encouraged, but keep accessories small—space is limited in vintage coaches.

- Fall weather can change quickly in the mountains. Dress in layers and bring a light jacket for platform time and photos.

The Bottom Line

Halloween by rail in Massachusetts is charming, low-stress, and photogenic. You won’t find over-the-top haunted trains here as often as in other parts of the country, but you will find authentic heritage rides dressed up with pumpkins, candy, and foliage that feels straight out of a postcard.

Whether you’re rolling past cranberry bogs at Edaville, gliding through Berkshire hills on the Hoosac Valley, or clanging along on a century-old trolley in Shelburne Falls, you’ll get that warm, old-fashioned Halloween vibe—equal parts whimsy and wonder, with just a pinch of spooky.