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Texas Halloween Train Rides

Published: August 27, 2025

By: Adam Burns

Haunted rails and pumpkins on the platform: every October, railroads across Texas transform into rolling celebrations of spooky season. From steam-era excursions to streetcars with ghost stories, these Halloween-themed train rides are a festive way to make memories without the jump-scare overload. Here’s a guide to the standout options across the state, plus tips to help you pick the perfect ride for your crew.

Texas State Railroad’s Pumpkin Patch Train (Rusk and Palestine, East Texas)
The Texas State Railroad is a bucket-list ride any time of year, and its Pumpkin Patch Train adds extra fall magic. On select October dates, vintage trains depart from the historic depots in Rusk or Palestine for a short journey to a lively pumpkin patch stopover. Expect classic harvest fun: photo ops, games, hay bales, and a chance for each child to pick out a pumpkin before reboarding.

The vibe is decidedly family-friendly and skewed toward younger kids, especially ages 2–10. Costumes are encouraged (practical shoes are too), and the event is more “festive fall” than “fright night,” so sensitive little ones can enjoy without fear. Total time, including the layover at the patch, typically runs a couple of hours. Because this is one of the state’s most popular seasonal rides, tickets often sell out—book early and watch the railroad’s official site for the year’s specific schedule and which depot your trip departs from.

Grapevine Vintage Railroad’s Trick-or-Treat and Witches Brew Trains (Grapevine, Dallas–Fort Worth)
Grapevine embraces holidays in a big way, and its Vintage Railroad rolls out multiple Halloween options:

- Trick-or-Treat Trains: Short, festive rides perfect for families with small children. Costumed crew members pass out candy, and kids are invited to wear costumes. The trip is typically a brief excursion departing from Grapevine’s Cotton Belt Depot, making it easy to pair with downtown trick-or-treating or a stroll through Main Street’s seasonal decorations. It’s more cute than creepy, and it’s manageable for toddlers.

- Witches Brew Train (21+): For grown-ups who want a Halloween night out, this evening excursion pairs the railroad’s historic coaches with seasonal drinks, light bites, and a playful, costumed atmosphere. It’s more “spirits and selfies” than “screams,” and seats sell fast for prime October dates. Check the railroad’s policies about costume masks and props, which may be restricted onboard for safety.

Historic Jefferson Railway’s Runaway Fright Train (Jefferson, East Texas)
Jefferson leans into its haunted heritage, and the Historic Jefferson Railway delivers one of the state’s most atmospheric Halloween rides. The Runaway Fright Train runs on October weekends after dark, rumbling through the piney woods and along the Big Cypress Bayou past spooky set pieces and eerie lighting. This is a family event, but it’s intentionally spooky, with themed vignettes along the right-of-way and occasional jumpy moments.

The ride itself is relatively short (plan around 40 minutes), and the depot area adds to the fun with seasonal concessions and photo spots. Some years include special bonus features like a fireworks finale on select nights—schedules vary, so confirm before you go. If you want a Halloween train that feels immersive without tipping into true horror, Jefferson is a great pick.

Texas Transportation Museum’s Spook-Track-ula (San Antonio)
San Antonio’s Texas Transportation Museum hosts one of the most charming family Halloween events in the state. Spook-Track-ula transforms the museum grounds into a safe trick-or-treat zone with model train displays, decorated scenes, and a steady cadence of short train rides on the museum’s Longhorn and Western Railroad. Kids can meet friendly costumed characters, fill their treat bags at candy stations, and ride again and again.

This is an excellent choice for parents of younger children, neurodiverse kids who benefit from predictable, repeatable activities, and anyone who appreciates trains large and small. Because it’s a museum event, you also get the bonus of indoor exhibits and places to catch your breath if little monsters need a break.

El Paso Streetcar Ghost Tours (El Paso)
If you prefer lore over jump scares, the restored El Paso Streetcar often hosts ghost-story rides in October in partnership with local historians and storytellers. These guided trips glide through downtown and nearby neighborhoods while you hear tales of the city’s most enduring mysteries and supposed hauntings. It’s an easy, accessible outing—no long walks or late, treacherous woods—making it ideal for older kids, date nights, and history buffs who like their Halloween with a side of fact and folklore. Seating is limited and these rides can be free or low-cost, but they require advance reservations when offered.

Cedar Rock Railroad’s Pumpkin Express and Halloween Rides (Leander, Austin area)
For pint-sized conductors, the quarter-scale Cedar Rock Railroad in Williamson County Regional Park puts on gentle Halloween-themed rides in October. Expect short trips through decorated woods, photo backdrops, and a small pumpkin or treat for each child on certain dates. The scale of the train and the pace of the event are perfect for toddlers and preschoolers who might be overwhelmed by larger venues. Bring a stroller-friendly mindset and plan extra time to enjoy the park’s playgrounds and trails after your ride.

How to choose the right Halloween train
- Toddlers and preschoolers: Aim for daytime, low-scare rides like the Texas State Railroad Pumpkin Patch Train, Grapevine’s Trick-or-Treat Trains, Cedar Rock Railroad, or Spook-Track-ula in San Antonio. These emphasize treats, costumes, and photos over frights.
- School-age kids: Add a little edge with the Runaway Fright Train in Jefferson, which provides spooky ambiance without gore, or stick with patch-and-candy rides if they’re scare-sensitive.
- Teens and adults: Consider atmospheric or themed evenings like Grapevine’s Witches Brew Train or El Paso’s ghost-story streetcars. For groups, these make great prelude events to dinner or haunted houses nearby.
- Railfans: The Texas State Railroad is the top pick for heritage equipment and scenery; combine a pumpkin run with time exploring the depots.

Tips for a smooth trip
- Book early: October weekend departures, especially at sunset, sell out quickly.
- Know the scare level: Read the event descriptions carefully and check social posts from prior years to match your group’s comfort zone.
- Costumes with common sense: Many operators welcome costumes but limit full-face masks, long capes, or prop weapons onboard. Comfortable, closed-toe shoes are best for boarding steps and outdoor patches.
- Arrive 30–45 minutes early: Boarding windows are firm, and early arrival helps with parking, restrooms, and photos before cars fill.
- Mind the weather: Texas evenings can swing from warm to chilly. Layer up and bring water. Many pumpkin patches are dusty or can be muddy after rain.
- Accessibility and strollers: Heritage railcars vary in accessibility; check ahead about wheelchair access, lifts, and stroller storage policies.
- Snacks and bathrooms: Some trains have concessions; others don’t. Eat beforehand, and use depot restrooms before boarding—en-route options may be limited.
- Photos and lighting: If you’re chasing golden-hour shots, target late-afternoon departures. For night rides, a small, diffused light can help with costumes without blinding fellow passengers.

The bottom line
Texas does Halloween by the mile—and the rail mile adds nostalgia, scenery, and just the right dose of whimsy or woe, depending on your taste. Whether you’re picking pumpkins off a historic railroad, sipping a “witches brew” as vintage coaches sway, or rolling past bayou ghosts in the Piney Woods, a Halloween train ride is an easy seasonal tradition to start. Check the official websites for current dates and ticketing, suit up in your comfiest costume, and all aboard for boo-tiful fall fun.