Pennsylvania Scenic Train Rides In Hollidaysburg!
Published: January 8, 2026
By: Adam Burns
Tucked into the Juniata River valley just south of Altoona, the Everett Railroad offers one of the most approachable—and photogenic—heritage-rail experiences in Pennsylvania. Based in Hollidaysburg, the railroad blends two worlds: a working short line that still moves freight, and a seasonal passenger operation that puts visitors behind vintage diesel power and, on many popular trips, a living, breathing steam locomotive. Better yet, it’s only a short drive from two of the state’s marquee railfan destinations: the Railroaders Memorial Museum and the famous Horseshoe Curve.
What makes the Everett feel special isn’t just the sound of a whistle echoing off the hills—it’s the way the operation connects local history, small-town scenery, and classic railroad romance into an easy half-day outing (or a full-day railfan “bucket list” run, if you’re ambitious). Whether you’re chasing fall color, bringing kids for a Santa visit, or simply craving the rhythm of jointed rail under 1920s-era coaches, the railroad has turned a slice of central Pennsylvania trackage into a dependable tradition.
Everett Railroad 2-6-0 #11 leads the "Pumpkin Patch" around a curve approaching Reservoir, Pennsylvania on October 21, 2023. Doug Kroll photo.Where The Everett Runs Today
The Everett Railroad operates in the Hollidaysburg area of Pennsylvania on former Pennsylvania Railroad lines, with freight service and heritage excursions offered from its passenger station in Hollidaysburg.
The setting is classic Appalachian railroading—wooded ridgelines, valleys that funnel the wind and sound, and track that slips past small communities where railroads were once the central artery of commerce.
Passenger operations typically revolve around round-trip excursions, often powered by Everett’s steam locomotive No. 11 on featured trips (a major draw for families and railfans alike). The railroad markets its excursions as historic steam and diesel rides in vintage passenger equipment departing from Hollidaysburg.
Because schedules and themed events change from season to season, it’s best to think of the Everett’s passenger operation as a rotating calendar of signature excursions—some rooted in the seasons, others aimed at railfans or special-event crowds.
A Short History
The “Everett Railroad” name reaches back to the mid-20th century. The company was incorporated in 1954 to take over a portion of the Huntingdon & Broad Top Mountain Railroad and Coal Company near Everett, Pennsylvania.
Over time, shifts in local industry and changes in regional rail service altered the railroad’s fortunes. The line became dormant in the early 1980s; the railroad’s own history notes it had been dormant since 1982 before being reborn a couple of years later.
That rebirth is the turning point that connects the Everett to the Hollidaysburg area we associate with it today. According to the railroad’s historical overview, an August 1984 freight movement at Claysburg marked “the rebirth of a railroad” that had been disused for over two years.
In the decades since, the Everett has operated as a short line while also developing an excursion business that helps keep rail history tangible—something you can see, hear, and ride.
In many ways, the railroad's story mirrors the broader narrative of American short lines: a smaller operator stepping in where bigger railroads pulled back, keeping service alive for local customers while also finding new life in tourism and special events.
The Everett Experience
Excursions are less about speed and more about atmosphere. You’re settling into classic passenger coaches—often described by the railroad as 1920s-era cars—watching small-town Pennsylvania slip by as the train rolls into the countryside.
When steam locomotive 2-6-0 #11 (originally built by Alco in 1923 for export to Cuba) is on the point, the experience changes immediately: the sound becomes more animated, the departure feels ceremonial, and every grade brings a fresh soundtrack of exhaust and stack talk. Even for non-railfans, steam has a way of turning a simple outing into a memory: kids watch the engine; adults pull out phones; photographers start counting “beats” as the locomotive works.
For railfans, the Everett is also attractive because it operates in a region loaded with railroad context. You can pair an excursion with a visit to the Railroaders Memorial Museum and the Horseshoe Curve—exactly the kind of “railfan day” the Everett itself has packaged as a special tour offering.
Most Popular Excursions
While the Everett offers multiple events across the year, a few excursions tend to define its public identity—especially the big seasonal draws.
Santa Express: the signature family tradition
If you ask locals what the Everett is “known for,” odds are you’ll hear about the Santa trains. The Santa Express is designed as a family-friendly holiday ride—short, accessible, and built around the experience of seeing Santa onboard. The railroad’s Santa Express listing describes it as a steam-powered trip (with multiple departure options depending on date), tailored for all ages and lasting about an hour.
This is the Everett at its most festive: decorations, seasonal energy, and a ride length that works well for small children. It’s also one of the easiest ways for first-timers to sample the railroad without committing to a longer outing. Tip: because holiday events often sell briskly, booking early is usually the difference between “we’re going!” and “maybe next year.”
Autumn Adventure: fall color, steam, and a longer run
For many railfans and photographers, fall is prime time. The Everett’s Autumn Adventure is built around exactly that—leaf season in central Pennsylvania. The railroad describes the trip as a steam-powered, 27-mile round trip between Hollidaysburg and Martinsburg, typically running in October, with a duration of about 2.5 hours.
What makes the Autumn Adventure a favorite is the mix of length and scenery: enough time to settle in, enough distance to feel like you’ve “gone somewhere,” and enough fall color to keep you looking out the window instead of down at your phone.
Cabin Fever Express and other shoulder-season getaways
Not every Everett trip is tied to peak foliage or the holidays. The railroad has also offered early-season themed rides like the Cabin Fever Express—positioned as a cure for winter blues, with a steam-powered round trip and optional lunch add-ons.
These kinds of events can be sleepers in the best way: smaller crowds, crisp air, and a more relaxed feel onboard. If you’ve already done the big-name fall and Christmas rides, these “in-between season” trips are often where you get the most breathing room (and the most chances to chat with fellow passengers and crew).
Railfan Tour: a full-day “greatest hits” itinerary
For enthusiasts, the Everett has also offered a Railfan Tour package that combines a ride on the Everett with admission to the Railroaders Memorial Museum and the Horseshoe Curve. It’s an elegant concept: instead of choosing between a steam excursion or the Altoona-area landmarks, you stack them into one coherent rail-centered day.
Even if the exact package isn’t offered every year, the idea is a good blueprint for planning your own visit: ride in the morning, museum in the afternoon, and save time for photos at the Curve before heading back.
Riding The Everett
Some heritage railroads feel like museums that move. Others feel like tourist attractions that happen to use tracks. The Everett Railroad lands in a satisfying middle ground: it’s a real railroad with a working identity, but it also knows how to stage an experience—steam, classic cars, seasonal themes, and a scenic Pennsylvania setting.
If you’re planning a central Pennsylvania weekend, the Everett gives you an anchor activity that’s easy to build around. And if you’re a railfan, it offers something even better: the chance to see living railroad history doing what it was built to do—hauling a train, right there in the hills where railroading still feels like it belongs. To learn more about the railroad and planning your trip please click here to visit their website.
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