1. Home
  2.  ›
  3. Dinner Trains
  4.  ›
  5. Massachusetts

Massachusetts Dinner Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide

Last revised: April 28, 2026

By: Adam Burns

From a railroading perspective, Massachusetts was situated directly in the heart of New England with lines radiating to the south, west, and north of Boston.   Historically, three large railroads served the state and offered trains connecting to practically any point in North America.

Today, one location hosts a dinner train experience, the Cape Cod Central Railroad in Hyannis.  The heritage railroad operates one of the finest such trips in New England with first class accommodations which truly harkens back to the "Silver Age" of rail travel (streamliners).  Their dinner train ride is briefly highlighted below.

With Boston as the epicenter, one could take trains of the New Haven south to New York City (via Providence, Rhode Island and New Haven, Connecticut), the Boston & Maine north to Portland, Maine (and even points further north via the Maine Central), or the Boston & Albany to western points.

The B&A was a New York Central subsidiary and travelers could take the railroad to reach all stops on the NYC as far west as Chicago and St. Louis.  In fact, the New York Central ran a popular train over the B&A, the New England States.

As a streamliner during the 1950s, this train's accommodations included an observation lounge-sleeper, standard Pullman sleepers (in various configurations), reclining seat coaches, a lounge coach, and full dining services. 

In 1949, the New York Central released a 16-page, color pamphlet highlighting all of the train's many features, including some of its dinner menu such as New England Clam Chowder, Broiled Scrod, New England Boiled Dinner, Chicken Pot Pie, and Indian Pudding with Ice Cream.

2i58128471261265465718962970209.jpgBoston & Maine E7A #3805 leads a Greenfield-Springfield train southbound through Chicopee, Massachusetts on May 20, 1956. Photographer unknown. American-Rails.com collection.

Overview

Cape Cod Central Railroad

(Hyannis):  The deluxe Cape Cod Central Railroad offers a handful of different trains which include some type of dining; food service is actually what this particular scenic train ride is centered around.  Currently, their two most popular include the Cape Cod Dinner Train and Cape Cod Luncheon Train.  Special events include the:

  • Easter Sunday Brunch Train
  • Mother's Day Brunch Train
  • Father's Day Brunch Train
  • Sunday Brunch Train
  • Cape Cod Luncheon Train
  • Jazz Sunday Brunch Train
  • Rails & Ales Beer Tasting Train
  • Gourmet Wine Tasting & Dinner Train

The Cape Cod Central is one of the few heritage railroads which actually specializes in dinner train and luncheon services.  They also how offer a full dome car during the trip.  Depending on the particular dinner train you may be interested in, the food-service varies from 3 to 5-course meals and the rides last roughly 2.5 hours.

The so-called "Cape Train" began hosting public excursion in 1999 over 33 miles of the former New Haven between Buzzards Bay and Hyannis, Massachusetts along central Cape Cod.  This line had originally been built as the Cape Cod Branch Railroad/Cape Cod Railroad during the late 1840s/early 1850s and continued under Old Colony Railroad ownership after 1872.

The line was eventually extended throughout Cape Cod, reaching as far as Provincetown on the eastern tip of the cape by the 1873.  The Old Colony system, which extended throughout southern and central Massachusetts, even reaching southeastern Rhode Island, was leased to the growing New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad in 1893.

In southern New England during the heigh of rail travel, the New Haven was the railroad.  It dispatched hundreds of commuter and long-distance trains daily throughout its condensed network that served Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and extreme eastern New York. 

Through the 1950s, often considered the last great decade of rail travel before severe cutbacks were implemented by most railroads due to declining ridership and a severe recession, the New Haven hosted trains offering fabulous on-board services on its regional trains such as lounges, reclining seat coaches, and even dining options.

The Cape Cod Central Railroad does a fine job of recreating these old trains and even has a locomotive adorned in late-era New Haven colors.  Generally, however, its equipment is dressed in a handsome dark maroon and black paint scheme with yellow/gold trim.  

The railroad's seasonal excursions begin in May with some special events hosted between the Easter weekend and Christmas.  Please visit their website for complete details.

Recent Articles

  1. Green Bay & Western Timetables (March, 1940)

    May 16, 26 10:05 AM

    957330057192b8840o559202.jpg
    Featured here is the Green & Western Railroad's brief timetable listing from the March, 1940 edition of the "Official Guide."

    Read More

  2. EJ&E Railway Timetables (January, 1930)

    May 15, 26 11:40 PM

    81871715828961876870094889279.jpg
    Featured here is the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway's timetables presented in the January, 1930 edition of the "Official Guide."

    Read More

  3. Duluth, Winnipeg & Pacific Timetables (January, 1930)

    May 15, 26 11:26 PM

    6701092872879823609034907089.jpg
    Covered here is the Duluth, Winnipeg & Pacific Railway's brief timetable listing from the January, 1930 edition of the "Official Guide."

    Read More

  4. Historic B&O Station In Wheeling Reborn

    May 15, 26 02:27 PM

    90091923126356123621758596.jpg
    On a crisp May morning in 2026, state officials, college leaders, and community members gathered outside the stately French Renaissance-style building that has anchored downtown Wheeling for more than…

    Read More

  5. Fort Worth and Denver Railway: The "Denver Road"

    May 15, 26 01:10 PM

    29783823267694893986666.jpg
    The Fort Worth and Denver Railway (reporting mark FWD), nicknamed "the Denver Road," was a Class I American railroad that operated primarily in northern Texas from 1881 to 1982.

    Read More

  6. Rio Grande 2-8-0 340 To Operate On The Durango & Silverton

    May 15, 26 12:28 PM

    182637124127828793589607.avif
    The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is thrilled to announce a once-in-a-generation homecoming: former Denver & Rio Grande Western (D&RGW) 2-8-0 340 will operate on its original Colorado narr…

    Read More

  7. Georgia 'Dinner Train' Rides At Nashville

    May 15, 26 12:15 PM

    572064638_1365889122214459_4501521349488404988_n.jpg
    If you’ve ever wished you could slow down, trade traffic for jointed rail, and let a small-town landscape roll by your window while a hot meal is served at your table, the Azalea Sprinter delivers tha…

    Read More

  8. Kentucky 'Dinner Train' Rides From Bardstown

    May 15, 26 12:14 PM

    52769945142_c47f285374_k.jpg
    The essence of My Old Kentucky Dinner Train is part restaurant, part scenic excursion, and part living piece of Kentucky rail history.

    Read More

  9. Michigan 'Dinner Train' Rides In Owosso

    May 15, 26 12:09 PM

    73127461247812357132578235823698766.jpg
    The Steam Railroading Institute is best known as the home of Pere Marquette #1225 and even occasionally hosts a dinner train!

    Read More

  10. Arizona 'Dinner Train' Rides In Williams

    May 15, 26 11:58 AM

    11719275286_946bf1fdf8_k.jpg
    While the Grand Canyon Railway does not offer a true, onboard dinner train experience it does offer several upscale options and off-train dining.

    Read More

  11. Colorado 'Murder Mystery' Dinner Train Rides

    May 15, 26 11:53 AM

    10821872472148723598238746893.jpg
    Nestled among the breathtaking vistas and rugged terrains of Colorado lies a unique fusion of theater, gastronomy, and travel—a murder mystery dinner train ride.

    Read More

  12. South Dakota 'Murder Mystery' Dinner Train Rides

    May 15, 26 11:51 AM

    44769036_2007471786211415_7062575978807033856_n.jpg
    While the state currently does not offer any murder mystery dinner train rides, the popular 1880 Train at the Black Hills Central recently hosted these popular trips!

    Read More

  13. DM&IR Railroad Timetables (March, 1940)

    May 15, 26 12:25 AM

    9501283417236512y4t157928600739.jpg
    Highlighted here is the Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range's timetable listing from the March, 1940 edition of the "Official Guide Of The Railways."

    Read More

  14. Detroit, Toledo & Ironton Timetables (January, 1930)

    May 15, 26 12:17 AM

    189235098176235121y268135798067.jpg
    Featured here is the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton Railroad's timetable listing from the January, 1930 edition of the "Official Guide Of The Railways."

    Read More

  15. The Wreck of PRR's "The Federal" At Washington Union Station

    May 15, 26 12:09 AM

    81273621362634627358269666.jpg
    On the morning of January 15, 1953 Washington Union Station became the scene of one of the most spectacular yet miraculously non-fatal train wrecks in American railroad history.

    Read More

  16. Detroit & Mackinac Timetables (January, 1930)

    May 14, 26 04:13 PM

    90203482364t21351254237689073084.jpg
    Featured here is the Detroit & Mackinac Railway's brief timetable listing from the January, 1930 edition of the "Official Guide Of The Railways."

    Read More

  17. Friends of the 261 to Host Exclusive Charity Dinner

    May 14, 26 02:34 PM

    9172417246216527568897.jpg
    Friends of the 261, the nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and operating historic rail equipment, invites the public to celebrate railroading heritage with a special evening charity dinner…

    Read More

  18. BNSF Unveils "America250" Heritage Locomotives

    May 14, 26 02:06 PM

    1826317264512541526367587267.jpg
    BNSF Railway today rolled out three specially painted locomotives honoring America’s 250th birthday, featuring bold red, white, and blue liveries and the official America250 logo.

    Read More

  19. Wisconsin 'Murder Mystery' Dinner Train Rides

    May 14, 26 12:18 PM

    124981724762157892785298689667.jpg
    Whether you're a fan of mystery novels or simply relish a night of theatrical entertainment, Wisconsin's murder mystery dinner trains promise an unforgettable adventure.

    Read More

  20. Missouri 'Murder Mystery' Dinner Train Rides

    May 14, 26 12:17 PM

    12942137552783589268689676.jpg
    Missouri, with its rich history and scenic landscapes, is home to one location hosting these unique excursion experiences.

    Read More

  21. Maryland - Whiskey Tasting - Train Rides

    May 14, 26 12:15 PM

    891731525124721752896887667.jpg
    You can enjoy whiskey tasting by train at just one location in Maryland, the popular Western Maryland Scenic Railroad based in Cumberland.

    Read More

  22. California - Whiskey Tasting - Train Rides

    May 14, 26 12:13 PM

    75142371258712978185723872566.jpg
    There is currently just one location in California offering whiskey tasting by train, the famous Skunk Train in Fort Bragg.

    Read More

  23. Oregon 'Wine Tasting' Train Rides

    May 14, 26 11:43 AM

    19i271723471247127417815196566.jpg
    For those looking to explore this wine paradise in style and comfort, Oregon's wine tasting trains offer a unique and enjoyable way to experience the region's offerings.

    Read More

  24. Virginia 'Wine Tasting' Train Rides

    May 14, 26 11:29 AM

    1897247146124712579892586806.webp
    Wine tasting trains in Virginia provide just that—a unique experience that marries the romance of rail travel with the sensory delights of wine exploration.

    Read More

  25. South Shore Line Timetables (August, 1952)

    May 14, 26 11:25 AM

    767126421564625769877.jpg
    Included here is the Chicago, South Shore & South Bend Railroad's timetable listing from the August, 1952 edition of the "Official Guide."

    Read More

  26. Chicago & Illinois Midland Timetables (March, 1933)

    May 13, 26 07:15 PM

    7541243513612475278687990808.jpg
    Included here is the Chicago & Illinois Midland's two-page listing from the March, 1933 edition of the "Official Guide of the Railways."

    Read More

  27. Scenic Dinner Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide

    May 13, 26 01:57 PM

    5680nxtlqzpo43208590.jpg
    Dinner trains have become a popular attraction in recent years. Here, you can find dates and locations for these events in 2025.

    Read More

  28. Railroad Museums In The USA (2026): A Complete Guide

    May 13, 26 01:56 PM

    2859213582365273612423578289689327.jpg
    Find out about all of the many railroad museums that operate around the United States, which work to keep alive our nation's history with trains.

    Read More

  29. Pennsylvania "Father's Day" Train Rides

    May 13, 26 12:53 PM

    871247124621427889368907907098.jpg
    This state offers a unique way to celebrate Father's Day with unforgettable train rides that combine history, stunning landscapes, and a dash of nostalgia.

    Read More

  30. New York "Father's Day" Train Rides

    May 13, 26 12:52 PM

    55069085274_33fdc82ad1_k.jpg
    If you’re looking to make this day memorable, consider taking a scenic train ride with your dad through the beautiful landscapes of New York State.

    Read More

  31. Texas Father's Day Train Rides

    May 13, 26 12:50 PM

    81827162352155556627582966.jpg
    In Texas, Father's Day can be made unique by combining the nostalgia and charm of train rides with the grandeur of the Texas landscape.

    Read More

  32. Alabama - Murder Mystery - Dinner Train Rides

    May 13, 26 12:49 PM

    1249781235723587298382906986.jpg
    There is currently one location in the state offering a murder mystery dinner experience, the Wales West Light Railway!

    Read More

  33. Pennsylvania - Whiskey Tasting - Train Rides

    May 13, 26 12:38 PM

    13995229310_eed685382b_b.jpg
    For whiskey aficionados and history buffs alike, a train ride through the Keystone State offering such spirits provides a unique and memorable experience.

    Read More

  34. Tennessee 'Wine Tasting' Train Rides

    May 13, 26 12:35 PM

    918274317624612642613578269677.jpg
    One of the most unique and enjoyable ways to savor the flavors of Tennessee’s vineyards is by train aboard the Tennessee Central Railway Museum.

    Read More

  35. North Carolina 'Wine Tasting' Train Rides

    May 13, 26 12:32 PM

    1i823123412536152478192598756.jpg
    A noteworthy way to explore North Carolina's beauty is by hopping aboard the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad and sipping fine wine!

    Read More

  36. Reading & Northern Showcases "America250" Caboose

    May 13, 26 12:04 PM

    723472375238698789080988.jpg
    The Reading & Northern has unveiled repainted PRR N-8 caboose #94850 in "America250" colors. The car made its first run on May 8, 2026.

    Read More

  37. Chicago & Eastern Illinois Timetables (August, 1952)

    May 13, 26 11:50 AM

    116723759128343127656266887196890278.jpg
    Covered here is the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad's complete timetable listing from the August, 1952 edition of the "Official Guide."

    Read More

  38. Chicago, Aurora and Elgin Timetables (March, 1940)

    May 13, 26 12:03 AM

    099563865738380099391561038.jpg
    Featured here is the Roarin' Elgin's single page timetable listing from the March, 1940 issue of the "Official Guide Of The Railways."

    Read More

  39. Algoma Central Railway Timetables (March, 1940)

    May 12, 26 11:51 PM

    21734712362136562378689667.jpg
    Highlighted here is the Algoma Central Railway's single page timetable listing in the March, 1940 edition of the "Official Guide."

    Read More

  40. Akron, Canton & Youngstown Timetables (March, 1940)

    May 12, 26 10:45 PM

    1923812361243142576876967.jpg
    Featured here is the Akron, Canton & Youngstown's brief timetable listing in the "Official Guide" from the March, 1940 edition.

    Read More

  41. Minnesota 'Dinner Train' Rides At Duluth

    May 12, 26 12:47 PM

    18723172462148715782587856866.jpg
    One of the best ways to feel the region's history in motion today is aboard the North Shore Scenic Railroad (NSSR), which operates out of Duluth’s historic depot.

    Read More

  42. Maryland 'Dinner Train' Rides At Walkersville

    May 12, 26 12:45 PM

    9717213414287565239866.jpg
    While WSRR runs a variety of seasonal and special trains, one of its most appealing “date night” offerings is the Valentine’s Dinner Train, a romantic two-hour ride built around classic railroad ambia…

    Read More

  43. Utah 'Murder Mystery' Dinner Train Rides

    May 12, 26 12:43 PM

    0182431872456124625782568926897.jpg
    This article highlights the murder mystery dinner trains currently avaliable in the state of Utah!

    Read More

  44. Rhode Island 'Murder Mystery' Dinner Train Rides

    May 12, 26 12:41 PM

    9127341246125828753263582539866.jpg
    Let's dive into the enigmatic world of murder mystery dinner train rides in Rhode Island, where each journey promises excitement, laughter, and a challenge for your inner detective.

    Read More

  45. Nevada 'Wine Tasting' Train Rides

    May 12, 26 12:20 PM

    8330755849_7f68f6e0b6_o.jpg
    While it may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of wine, you can sip this delight by train in Nevada at the Nevada Northern Railway.

    Read More

  46. New Hampshire "Wine Tasting" Train Rides

    May 12, 26 12:18 PM

    8176125318759762934646.jpg
    This article details New Hampshire's most enchanting wine tasting trains, where every sip is paired with breathtaking views and a touch of adventure.

    Read More

  47. New Jersey 'Wine Tasting' Train Rides

    May 12, 26 12:17 PM

    91872372141281598657866.jpg
    If you're seeking a unique outing or a memorable way to celebrate a special occasion, wine tasting train rides in New Jersey offer an experience unlike any other.

    Read More

  48. West Pointe Route Timetables (August, 1952)

    May 11, 26 08:23 PM

    65102012591623512641657296838.jpg
    Included here is the complete West Point Route timetables, including the Georgia Railroad, from the August, 1952 edition of the "Official Guide."

    Read More

  49. Virginian Railway Timetables (August, 1952)

    May 11, 26 04:27 PM

    157010268715616586829079090857.jpg
    Included here is the Virginian Railway's complete system map and brief timetable listing from the August, 1952 edition of the "Official Guide."

    Read More

  50. RF&P Railroad Timetables (August, 1952)

    May 11, 26 02:21 PM

    8727528392938253626347282097.jpg
    Featured here is the Richmond, Frederickburg & Potomac's public timetables from the August, 1952 edition of the "Official Guide."

    Read More