Pennsylvania Fall Foliage Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Last revised: August 16, 2026
By: Adam Burns
Pennsylvania is one of the densest fall foliage train markets in the country. Hardwood color fills the Poconos, Allegheny and Laurel highlands, Oil Creek valley, and Lancaster County farmland. Heritage railroads answer that demand with named Autumn Leaf and Fall Foliage products—plus busy regular steam and diesel schedules through October. This hub is the 2026 state map: comparison table, operator overviews, and links to dedicated product deep dives for booking detail.
Confirm final dates, times, power, and fares on each railroad’s official website before you book. American-Rails.com is a planning reference, not a ticket agent.
The Stourbridge Line’s beautifully restored FP7 in PRR pinstripes, #9880 (ex-Canadian Pacific #4040), at Honesdale, Pennsylvania on October 1, 2023. Doug Kroll photo.
On this page: At a glance · Operators · When to go · Tips · Related
Related: National Fall Foliage Hub · Best Fall Trains East 2026 · Pennsylvania scenic trains · Pennsylvania Halloween trains
2026 At a Glance
| Railroad | Location | 2026 fall window (verify) | Typical ride | Deep dive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lehigh Gorge Scenic (R&N) | Jim Thorpe | Autumn Leaf ~Oct. 1–Nov. 16 | ~16 mi / ~70 min (also shorter leaf options) | Lehigh Gorge Fall 2026 |
| R&N Fall Foliage (long) | Reading / Port Clinton → Jim Thorpe | Select fall dates (all-day product) | Full-day steam or F-unit diesel | R&N Fall Foliage 2026 |
| Colebrookdale | Boyertown | Autumn Splendor Sundays Sept. 20–Nov. 15 | ~90 minutes | Colebrookdale Fall 2026 |
| Oil Creek & Titusville | Titusville | Wed–Sun Oct. 1–16 | ~3 hours | Oil Creek Fall 2026 |
| Northern Central of York | New Freedom | Select Oct.–Nov. dates | ~1 hr Glen Rock / ~2.5 hr Hanover Junction | Northern Central Fall 2026 |
| Strasburg Rail Road | East Strasburg / Ronks | Peak October regular season + fall events | ~9 mi / ~45 min RT steam | Strasburg Fall 2026 |
| New Hope Railroad | New Hope | Fall Foliage Excursion season | Confirm length/class on site | New Hope Fall 2026 |
| Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern | Kempton | Fall foliage weekend(s) typical | Short line to Wanamakers | WK&S Fall 2026 |
| West Chester Railroad | West Chester | Fall Foliage Express late Sept.–early Oct. typical | ~7 mi corridor toward Glen Mills | West Chester Fall 2026 |
| Stourbridge Line | Honesdale | Autumn scenic / dining season | Lackawaxen corridor (~1.5–3 hr by product) | Stourbridge Fall 2026 |
| East Broad Top | Rockhill Furnace | Public ops into late Oct. | Narrow-gauge Aughwick Valley | East Broad Top Fall 2026 |
| Everett Railroad | Hollidaysburg | Autumn Adventure Oct. 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 24 & 25 | ~2.5 hr steam when rostered | Everett Fall 2026 |
| Middletown & Hummelstown | Middletown | Fall Foliage Express (late Oct. pattern) | Shortline Hershey/Harrisburg area | M&H Fall 2026 |
Windows compiled from operator calendars and AR product research through August 15, 2026. Re-check before travel. Do not confuse R&N’s all-day Reading/Port Clinton foliage trains with the short Lehigh Gorge loop from Jim Thorpe—different tickets.
Operators & Fall Products
Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway
(Jim Thorpe): One of the East’s signature autumn rides. Trains leave the restored CNJ freight station along the Lehigh River into Lehigh Gorge State Park country—bridges, river curves, and mountain hardwoods. Reading & Northern operates the passenger program.
2026: Autumn Leaf trains roughly October 1–November 16. Classic product about 16 miles / 70 minutes; shorter leaf options appear on some dates. Classes may include open-air, coach, and premium; steam is not assumed on every departure.
Deep dive: Lehigh Gorge Autumn Leaf 2026 · Tickets: lgsry.com · Guide: R&N 2026
Reading & Northern Fall Foliage (Reading / Port Clinton)
(Reading Outer Station / Port Clinton → Jim Thorpe): Separate from the short gorge scenic: all-day fall trains into Jim Thorpe with free time in town, steam on selected higher-tier dates, and F-unit diesel on others. Book the R&N passenger fall foliage calendar—not a Lehigh Gorge short-train ticket.
Deep dive: R&N Fall Foliage to Jim Thorpe 2026 · rbmnrr-passenger.com
Colebrookdale Railroad
(Boyertown): Secret Valley Line on former Reading track between Boyertown and Pottstown country—clean equipment, themed trains, easy day trip from Philadelphia and the Lehigh Valley.
2026: Autumn Splendor every Sunday, September 20–November 15, about 90 minutes. Brunch/dining variants may appear; read the exact ticket type.
Deep dive: Colebrookdale Autumn Splendor 2026 · colebrookdalerailroad.com
Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad
(Titusville): Former PRR Oil Creek corridor through the Oil Heritage Region—continuous river-and-forest color rather than high peaks. Short dedicated foliage season; sell-outs are common.
2026: Fall foliage Wednesdays–Sundays, October 1–16, about a three-hour round trip.
Deep dive: Oil Creek Fall 2026 · octrr.org
Northern Central Railway of York
(New Freedom): Historic Northern Central / PRR territory in southern York County with conductor-led local history. Steam or diesel depending on date.
2026: Select October–November options toward Glen Rock (~1 hour) or Hanover Junction (~2.5 hours).
Deep dive: Northern Central Fall 2026 · Operator ticket calendar
Strasburg Rail Road
(East Strasburg / Ronks): America’s oldest continuously operating railroad company and Pennsylvania’s attendance leader: steam, wooden coaches, Amish Country farmland, about 9 miles / 45 minutes RT. Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania next door.
2026: No separate “Autumn Leaf Express” required—October regular steam season is the product, plus harvest/themed specials when posted.
Deep dive: Strasburg Fall 2026 · Profile: Strasburg · strasburgrailroad.com · Guide: Strasburg 2026
New Hope Railroad
(New Hope): Bucks County excursions from the 1891 “Witch’s Hat” station with coach, open-air, and first-class options depending on train.
2026: Dedicated Fall Foliage Excursion marketing—confirm classes and calendar on the operator site.
Deep dive: New Hope Fall 2026 · newhoperailroad.com
Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern
(Kempton): Short Reading-heritage line toward Wanamakers along Ontelaunee Creek country; steam when rostered.
2026: Traditional October fall foliage weekend(s)—confirm exact dates.
Deep dive: WK&S Fall 2026 · kemptontrain.com
West Chester Railroad
(West Chester): Former PRR suburban branch toward Glen Mills—historic stations and surprisingly rural Chester Creek scenery for a Philadelphia-adjacent line.
2026: Fall Foliage Express late September–early October pattern in recent seasons.
Deep dive: West Chester Fall 2026 · wcrailroad.com
Stourbridge Line
(Honesdale): Northern Pocono / Lackawaxen River corridor; scenic and dining products rather than a single multi-month leaf grid. Heritage diesels (including PRR-inspired F-units in recent years) are a railfan draw.
Deep dive: Stourbridge Fall 2026 · thestourbridgeline.net
East Broad Top Railroad
(Rockhill Furnace / Orbisonia): Legendary three-foot-gauge industrial railroad under revival operations. Public trains into late October put riders in Aughwick Valley color with National Historic Landmark shops and yard as the backdrop.
Deep dive: East Broad Top Fall 2026 · eastbroadtop.com
Everett Railroad
(Hollidaysburg): Central Pennsylvania freight short line with public steam specials near Altoona / Horseshoe Curve country. Named Autumn Adventure is the foliage headliner.
2026: Autumn Adventure dates listed October 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 24 & 25—about 2.5 hours, steam when rostered.
Deep dive: Everett Autumn Adventure 2026 · everettrailroad.com
Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad
(Middletown): Shortline between Hershey and Harrisburg with themed specials including a dedicated Fall Foliage Express (late October pattern in tourism listings) plus pumpkin products.
Deep dive: M&H Fall 2026 · mhrailroad.com
Also watch (confirm calendars)
- Steamtown National Historic Site (Scranton) — Excursion calendar varies; autumn mainline or short trips when scheduled. Steamtown 2026 Guide
- Tioga Central and other regional heritage ops — Verify autumn public schedules annually
- Allentown & Auburn — Short Reading-heritage rides; pumpkin/fall specials when posted
When to Go in Pennsylvania
High elevations and northern counties color earlier than southeastern farm country. The Poconos and north-central valleys frequently peak mid-to-late October; Lancaster and the Philadelphia suburbs can run a little later. Oil Creek’s dedicated early–mid October window is intentional—do not assume every railroad keeps foliage specials into November (though Lehigh Gorge and Colebrookdale often do).
Same season: Halloween pumpkin trains on many of these lines (see PA Halloween hub) and early Christmas / Polar calendars that open while leaves are still turning.
Tips
- Book Jim Thorpe weekends, Colebrookdale Sundays, Oil Creek foliage dates, and R&N steam foliage early.
- Know your R&N product: short gorge loop vs all-day Reading/Port Clinton train.
- Midweek seats, when offered, are quieter than Saturdays.
- Open-air cars are ideal for photos but dress for cool river and mountain air.
- Pair Strasburg with the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania; pair Everett with Altoona / Horseshoe Curve.
- Never trespass for trackside photos—use public overlooks and stations.
Related Reading on American-Rails.com
- Fall Foliage Train Rides (national hub)
- Best Fall Foliage Train Rides East 2026
- Pennsylvania Scenic Train Rides
- Pennsylvania Halloween Train Rides
- Christmas trains · Polar Express
- Neighboring: New York fall trains · Maryland fall trains · West Virginia fall trains
Always verify 2026 schedules, fares, and event dates on each railroad’s official website before you travel. Pennsylvania fall foliage state hub rebuilt August 16, 2026 with full deep-dive links from the 2026 product series.
Recent Articles
-
The 1910 Portal Bridge Is Handed Over for Demolition
Oct 30, 26 04:03 PM
Amtrak handed the 1910 Portal Bridge over for demolition on October 29, 2026, during the final cutover to Portal North. Regular NJ Transit and Amtrak schedules are expected November 15. -
Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern Merger Review Runs to 2027
Oct 30, 26 03:59 PM
Union Pacific says the Surface Transportation Board's review of the Norfolk Southern merger gathers information through May 28, 2027. A closing still depends on board approval. -
Amtrak Board Will Hear Restructuring Comments on November 10
Oct 30, 26 03:41 PM
Amtrak's board will hear public comments on its restructuring on November 10, 2026, from 2 to 3 p.m. Eastern. Written comments were due October 30. A proposal goes to the board in December. -
Canadian Pacific Selkirk 5931 Restored in Calgary
Oct 30, 26 01:36 PM
Heritage Park in Calgary unveiled a cosmetic restoration of Canadian Pacific 2-10-4 No. 5931 on October 27, 2026. One of two surviving Selkirks. It stays on display. -
Gettysburg Railway to Host Steam for Lincoln
Oct 30, 26 01:18 PM
Northern Central Railway of York No. 17 will recreate Lincoln's arrival at Gettysburg on November 18, 2026, with public steam trips November 19-21. -
NC&StL No. 576 to Steam for the Public in Nashville
Oct 30, 26 01:00 PM
Nashville Steam will fire NC&StL 4-8-4 No. 576 for the public on November 7, 2026, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 220 Willow Street. Admission is free. -
Pennsylvania Railroad E8s Join the T1 Trust
Oct 30, 26 12:38 PM
The T1 Trust has acquired former Pennsylvania Railroad E8A diesels 5702A and 5761A from the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society. They are bound for Cumberland. -
Ligonier Valley Railroad: History, Roster, Timetable
Oct 30, 26 12:03 PM
The Ligonier Valley Railroad ran 10.5 miles from Latrobe to Ligonier, Pennsylvania. Opened December 1, 1877. Last day August 31, 1952. -
Toledo, Peoria & Western Diesel Roster (All-Time)
Oct 30, 26 10:25 AM
Toledo, Peoria & Western diesel locomotives, each frame once. Thirteen Alcos, three Lima-Hamilton switchers, and 26 Electro-Motive units. -
Toledo, Peoria & Western Steam Roster
Oct 30, 26 09:14 AM
Toledo, Peoria & Western steam locomotives from the Rogers Consolidations of 1895 through the 4-8-4s of 1937 -
Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway: Map, Roster, History
Oct 29, 26 11:12 PM
History of the Toledo, Peoria & Western. The Peoria & Oquawka, George P. McNear, the Santa Fe and Pennsylvania years, and the railroad that came back in 1989. -
Cotton Belt Diesel Roster (All-Time)
Oct 29, 26 07:58 PM
St. Louis Southwestern diesel locomotives, each frame once. Baldwin switchers, F units, and new Cotton Belt-lettered power through the GP60s of May 1990. -
Cotton Belt Steam Roster (Built Since 1900)
Oct 29, 26 06:52 PM
St. Louis Southwestern steam locomotives built since 1900. Consolidations, Ten-Wheelers, and twenty class L-1 4-8-4s. The quantity column is 297. -
Cotton Belt Railroad: Map, Logo, History, Rosters
Oct 29, 26 10:56 AM
History of the St. Louis Southwestern, the Cotton Belt Route. The Tyler Tap, Paramore's silver spike, the Thebes Bridge, the Blue Streak, and Southern Pacific control. Steam and diesel rosters are sep… -
Pere Marquette Steam Roster (Built Since 1900)
Oct 28, 26 11:54 PM
Pere Marquette steam locomotives built since 1900. Consolidations, Mikados, Pacifics, and 39 Berkshires. The quantity column is 503. -
Pere Marquette Diesel Roster (All-Time)
Oct 28, 26 11:48 PM
Pere Marquette diesel locomotives, each frame once. Two SW1s, 14 NW2s, three GE 70-tonners, eight E7As, and six BL2s delivered lettered Chesapeake and Ohio. The quantity column is 33. -
Pere Marquette Railway: Map, Logo, Rosters, History
Oct 28, 26 11:44 PM
History of the Pere Marquette Railway. Timber roads, the Prince years, the Van Sweringens, the Ludington car ferries, and the Chesapeake and Ohio merger of June 6, 1947. -
Nickel Plate Road (Railroad): Map, History, Rosters
Oct 28, 26 10:51 PM
History of the Nickel Plate Road, the New York, Chicago and St. Louis. The Seney syndicate, the Van Sweringens, the Berkshires, and the Norfolk and Western absorption at 12:01 a.m. on October 16, 1964… -
Nickel Plate Diesel Roster (All-Time)
Oct 28, 26 10:48 PM
Nickel Plate diesel locomotives, each frame once. Alco switchers and PAs, GP7s and GP9s, and the GP30s. The quantity column is 440. The 1950 fleet was 117. -
Nickel Plate Steam Roster (Built Since 1900)
Oct 28, 26 10:43 PM
Nickel Plate steam locomotives built since 1900, including the Lake Erie and Western, the Clover Leaf, and the Wheeling engines that took Nickel Plate numbers. The quantity column is 786. -
EMD "E9" Locomotives: Specs, Roster, History
Oct 28, 26 10:37 PM
EMD E9 cab units and boosters, 2,400 horsepower, built April 1954 through January 1964. Gear ratios, specifications, and the production roster by owner, serial, and order. -
NYC 4-6-4 #5344, "Commodore Vanderbilt"
Oct 28, 26 04:31 PM
NYC J-1e Hudson 5344, the Commodore Vanderbilt. Alco, November 1931. Carl Kantola’s shroud, December 1934, then a Dreyfuss bullet nose in 1939. Scrapped at Collinwood in 1954. -
New Jersey, Indiana & Illinois Railroad: A South Bend Shortline
Oct 28, 26 11:05 AM
The New Jersey, Indiana & Illinois, the Jersey Line, ran from South Bend to Pine. Singer built it in 1905. Wabash stock control came in 1926. Two diesels, and the steam the record names. -
Monon Diesel Roster (All-Time)
Oct 28, 26 10:13 AM
Monon diesel locomotives, each frame once. F3s, nine BL2s, the C420s, and eight U23Bs. The quantity column is 96. The 1951 fleet was 57. -
Monon Steam Roster (Built Since 1900)
Oct 28, 26 10:09 AM
Monon steam locomotives built since 1900. Twelve-Wheelers, Mikados, light Pacifics, and thirteen six-wheel switchers. The quantity column is 148. -
Monon Railroad: Map, Photos, History, Logo
Oct 28, 26 09:55 AM
History of the Monon, the Hoosier Line. The New Albany & Salem, the X at Monon, Barriger's streamliners, and the Louisville & Nashville merger of July 31, 1971. -
Missouri-Kansas-Texas Diesel Roster (All-Time)
Oct 28, 26 09:48 AM
All-time diesel roster of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas. 406 locomotives, each frame once. Baldwin switchers, Alco cab units, F units, Geeps, and the SD40-2s. -
Missouri-Kansas-Texas Steam Roster (Built Since 1900)
Oct 28, 26 09:43 AM
Missouri-Kansas-Texas steam locomotives built since 1900. Moguls, Mikados, Pacifics, and the narrow-gauge shop tanks. The quantity column is 715. -
Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad (Katy): Map, History, Rosters
Oct 27, 26 11:02 PM
History of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas, the Katy. The race into Indian Territory, Gould, the 1923 railroad, the Texas Special, and the 1988 sale. Steam and diesel rosters are linked. -
Soo Line Diesel Roster (All-Time)
Oct 27, 26 10:55 PM
All-time diesel roster of the Soo Line and the Wisconsin Central. 786 locomotives, each frame once. Cab units, Geeps, the Milwaukee Road engines, and the SD60s. The South Shore's 24 stay on that page. -
Soo Line Steam Roster (Built Since 1900)
Oct 27, 26 10:49 PM
Soo Line and Wisconsin Central steam locomotives built since 1900. Consolidations, Mikados, Pacifics, 21 Mountains, and four Lima 4-8-4s. -
Soo Line Railroad: Map, Logo, History, Rosters
Oct 27, 26 10:24 PM
The Soo Line, from the flour millers' railroad around Chicago to the Sault, the Wisconsin Central, and the Milwaukee Road. Steam quantity 422. Diesels 786. Canadian Pacific took full control in 1990. -
Minneapolis, Northfield and Southern Railway: Map, History, Rosters
Oct 27, 26 10:32 AM
The Minneapolis, Northfield & Southern, the Dan Patch Line that became a Twin Cities belt. Steam, gas-electric mules, motor cars, and the 22 diesels, through the Soo Line. -
Minneapolis & St. Louis Diesel Roster (All-Time)
Oct 27, 26 10:27 AM
All-time diesel roster of the Minneapolis & St. Louis. 97 locomotives, each frame once. Switchers from 1938, 35 RS-1s, the FT and F-unit cabs, two SD7s, and 23 GP9s. Builder numbers included. -
Minneapolis & St. Louis Steam Roster (Post 1900)
Oct 27, 26 10:25 AM
Minneapolis & St. Louis steam locomotives built since 1900. Moguls, Consolidations, 35 Mikados, and five Pacifics. -
Minneapolis and St Louis Railway: "The Peoria Gateway"
Oct 27, 26 09:52 AM
The Minneapolis & St. Louis, the Tootin' Louie, from the 1870 charter to the Peoria Gateway and the Chicago & North Western sale on November 1, 1960. -
Alco "PA" Locomotives: Restoration, Specs, Engine, Rosters
Oct 27, 26 12:12 AM
Alco's PA passenger cab, 297 locomotives built from 1946 to 1953. The 244 engine, the production roster, the Delaware & Hudson PA-4s, and Nickel Plate Road 190. -
Milwaukee Road Diesel Roster: (All Time)
Oct 26, 26 01:44 PM
All-time diesel roster of the Milwaukee Road. 1,208 locomotives, each frame once. Alco, Baldwin, Davenport, EMD, Fairbanks-Morse, General Electric, and Whitcomb, with builder numbers. -
Milwaukee Road Steam Roster (All-Time): Post-1900
Oct 26, 26 01:38 PM
Milwaukee Road steam locomotives built since 1900. Prairies, Mikados, the N-class articulateds, the S-class 4-8-4s, and the Hiawatha Atlantics and Hudsons. Quantity column 1,974. Unique frames 1,951. -
Milwaukee Road: Map, Electrification, Logo, History
Oct 26, 26 01:20 PM
The Milwaukee Road, from the Milwaukee & Mississippi of 1850 to the Pacific Coast Extension, the Hiawathas, and the Soo Line sale. Why Lines West should have stayed. -
Lake Superior & Ishpeming Railroad: Map, Roster, History
Oct 25, 26 11:38 PM
Lake Superior & Ishpeming Railroad, reporting mark LSI, from the Marquette Range to the Presque Isle ore dock. The 1954 steam list and the diesels the railroad owned. -
Kansas City Southern Steam Roster (Built Since 1900)
Oct 25, 26 09:09 PM
Steam locomotives of the Kansas City Southern built since 1900, with the Louisiana & Arkansas and the Texas company. -
Kansas City Southern Diesel Roster (Built New)
Oct 25, 26 11:46 AM
All-time diesel roster of the Kansas City Southern. E units, F units, Geeps, SD40s through SD70ACes, Fairbanks-Morse, Baldwin, Alco, and General Electric, with serials and order numbers. -
Kansas City Southern Railway: Map, Photos, History
Oct 25, 26 12:24 AM
The Kansas City Southern, from Arthur Stilwell's Gulf line to Canadian Pacific Kansas City on April 14, 2023. Steam and diesel rosters, the Southern Belle, and the Louisiana & Arkansas. -
Indiana Harbor Belt Diesel Roster (All-Time)
Oct 25, 26 12:17 AM
All-time diesel roster of the Indiana Harbor Belt. 202 locomotive frames, each counted once. NW2s, SW7s, SW1500s, road switchers, and gensets. Slugs and boosters are outside the count. -
Indiana Harbor Belt Steam Roster (Built Since 1900)
Oct 25, 26 12:13 AM
Steam locomotives of the Indiana Harbor Belt built since 1900. 182 engines, each counted once. 0-6-0s, 2-6-0s, 0-8-0s, and 2-8-2s. The three U-4a switchers are three-cylinder Brooks engines of 1927. -
Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad: Map, Rosters, History
Oct 25, 26 12:00 AM
Indiana Harbor Belt, the inner belt across the Calumet, from the East Chicago Belt of May 16, 1896. Renamed June 29, 1907. Still operating, headquarters Hammond. Steam roster is the companion, 182 loc… -
NYC's "P Motor" Electric Locomotives
Oct 24, 26 11:43 PM
New York Central P motors: 22 Alco-GE 2-C+C-2 electrics, Cleveland Union Terminal 1050–1071, class P-1a. 3,030 hp one-hour on 3,000-volt DC catenary, then 660-volt third rail as P-2a and P-2b. -
Illinois Terminal Car Roster
Oct 24, 26 11:40 PM
Illinois Terminal cars. Mainline motors, the 1948 streamliners, sleepers, Alton and Valley Division cars, express motors, and the line cars rebuilt from pull cars. -
Illinois Terminal Diesel Roster
Oct 24, 26 09:31 PM
All-time Illinois Terminal diesels, 62 frames. Alco S-2s and RS-1s, EMD switchers, GP7s, SD39s, GP38-2s, and the two GP20s. Serial numbers from the 1989 roster.
