Pennsylvania 'Ice Cream' Tasting Train Rides
Published: June 29, 2026
By: Adam Burns
The Everett Railroad offers one of those rare rail experiences that feels both genuinely historic and wonderfully down-to-earth: a real short line that still earns its keep hauling freight—then, on select days, turns around and pulls passenger excursions behind steam through the farms, towns, and gentle ridgelines of central Pennsylvania. The railroad’s passenger base is in Hollidaysburg, a perfect jumping-off point for railfans, families, and anyone looking for an easy day trip near Altoona and the famous Horseshoe Curve. And among Everett’s most family-friendly offerings, none is more simple-and-satisfying than the Ice Cream Special—a two-hour, round-trip ride with a mid-journey stop for a cold treat in the charming town of Roaring Spring.
Everett Railroad 2-6-0 #11 leads a Christmas train southbound at Loop, Pennsylvania on December 2, 2023. Doug Kroll photo.A Brief History
The Everett Railroad isn’t a “theme park train.” It’s a 23-mile Class III common-carrier freight railroad serving communities along Blair County’s I-99 corridor—including Altoona, Hollidaysburg, Roaring Spring, Martinsburg, and Claysburg—handling freight for customers and interchanging with Norfolk Southern at Hollidaysburg.
That dual identity—freight carrier and heritage attraction—gives Everett a special vibe. You’re not just riding rails set aside for tourism; you’re traveling on a line that’s part of the region’s day-to-day economy, with a story shaped by local industry and community needs.
Everett’s modern-era story took shape in the mid-1980s. After the railroad’s “rebirth” in 1984—restoring and operating track between Brookes Mill and Sproul to resume service for local customers—the company expanded again in 1985 by leasing the nearby Morrisons Cove Railroad, a seven-mile line that served the fertile “Cove” region (including Roaring Spring, Martinsburg, and Curryville). That move strengthened Everett’s role in local agriculture and manufacturing and helped establish the railroad as a key regional link.
Another major expansion arrived in 1995 with the incorporation of a sister company, the Hollidaysburg & Roaring Spring Railroad, which acquired ten miles of former Conrail trackage, tying together the network into what Everett describes as today’s 23-mile rail system.
Steam Excursions
For years, Everett’s rails hosted occasional tourist trips, but a big turning point came in 2015, when steam-powered passenger excursions returned in a major way. Everett notes that its first steam-powered Pumpkin Patch Special in 2015 carried 7,246 riders, and that the excursion program has since grown into a March-through-December season, reaching nearly 35,000 riders in 2023.
That ridership growth explains why Everett’s special-event calendar has become such a draw: it’s not just “a train ride,” it’s an evolving lineup built around seasonal traditions—spring, summer, fall foliage, and holiday magic—powered by the sight, sound, and smell of steam.
The locomotive that makes it feel like 1925 again
A major piece of Everett’s appeal is its operational steam locomotive, ALCO 2-6-0 No. 11—a classic “Mogul” type that looks perfectly at home drifting past cornfields and small-town backyards. One especially interesting detail: Everett notes that Engine 11 was originally built as an oil burner, and in 2022 it was converted back to its original oil-burning configuration.
That kind of restoration work matters because it’s the difference between “a steam engine exists” and “a steam engine is cared for, improved, and actively used.” When No. 11 is on the point, the trip becomes a living demonstration of early-20th-century railroading—short line style, local scenery, and lots of camera-worthy moments.
The Ice Cream Special
The basic idea (and why it works)
Everett’s Ice Cream Special is exactly what it sounds like—in the best way. It’s designed for all ages, low-stress, and highly repeatable: you board in Hollidaysburg, enjoy a steam-powered ride to Roaring Spring, step off for a short break and ice cream, then ride back.
Everett describes it as a round-trip train ride between Hollidaysburg and Roaring Spring, with ice cream served at the Roaring Spring Station during a 30-minute layover.
That layover is the secret sauce. It turns the trip into a mini “destination run” instead of a simple out-and-back. Kids get the excitement of arriving somewhere, stretching their legs, and having a built-in reward—while adults get time for photos, fresh air, and that pleasant small-town station atmosphere.Schedule, timing, and ride length
On its event listing, Everett notes the Ice Cream Special is a two-hour experience with boarding 15 minutes prior and a listed departure time of 2:30 PM (with 2026 dates marked as “coming soon”).
Because dates can change year to year, the most reliable approach is to treat the Ice Cream Special as a recurring seasonal feature and check Everett’s official schedule when you’re ready to book—especially if you’re traveling in from outside Blair County.
Tickets and classes of service
Everett lists the Ice Cream Special fares as:
- Adult: $25
- Senior: $23
- Youth: $18
- Under 2: Free
- First Class: $40
First Class is positioned as more than just “a nicer seat.” Everett notes First Class seating with table service featuring a seasonal selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and describes seating options across specific cars/spaces (including an observation room and table/alcove arrangements).
If you’re bringing children (or a mixed-age group), standard coach is usually the simplest choice. If you’re going as a couple, traveling with friends, or you want a more “dinner-train-lite” feel, First Class can turn an already fun outing into something that feels like a special occasion.
What the ride feels like
While every trip is a little different, the Ice Cream Special tends to deliver a consistent set of Everett “greatest hits”:
- Steam atmosphere: the whistle, the exhaust, and that moment when you first see the locomotive coupled to your train.
- Morrison Cove scenery: a landscape that reads as quintessential Pennsylvania—small towns, open country, and the kind of trackside views you just don’t get from a highway.
- A destination stop with purpose: Roaring Spring isn’t just a turnaround point; it’s where the experience “pays off” with the included ice cream and a chance to explore the station area during the layover.
Final Thoughts
In the big world of tourist railroading, there’s a reason ice-cream trains have become a classic: they’re simple, family-forward, and universally appealing. Everett’s version adds something extra—authentic short line rails, a real steam locomotive, and a destination town stop—all wrapped into a tidy two-hour package that’s easy to build into a weekend in Blair County.
If you’re the type who can’t resist a whistle echoing off the hills—or you just want a wholesome summer outing that feels genuinely different from the usual routine—the Everett Railroad’s Ice Cream Special is the kind of trip that wins people over fast… and tends to become an annual tradition. To learn more about this train please click here to visit the railroad's website.
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