usa train rides | new england

This 17-acre/7-hectare outdoor museum contains over 70 pieces of rolling stock dating back to 1869. Vintage streetcars operate along its on-site track. Highlights include a guest operator program. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features: rail museum, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop, online ticketing.

Located within a 1903 downtown station and rail yard, the museum operates "Rail Yard Local" train rides and displays a collection of historic rolling stock. Highlights include cab rides and Connecticut's only operating turntable. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features: rail museum, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop.

This classic steam train rolls through the countryside, passing nature preserves and Colonial villages. An associated riverboat cruise is a popular add-on. Highlights include Essex Clipper Dinner Train and Gillette Castle Connection. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features: dinner trips, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop, snack bar, online ticketing.

NRR passengers relax in restored vintage 1920s coaches while criss-crossing the Naugatuck River on its 20-mi/32-km circuit through Mattatuck Forest. Highlights include historic equipment and artifacts and a guest engineer program. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features: rail museum, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop.

The USA's oldest operating trolley museum runs vintage streetcars along a scenic 3-mi/5-km line that's been in service for over a century. Hands-on exhibits include nearly 100 trams, cable cars and trolleys including horsecars and double-deckers. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features: rail museum, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop.

The Brooks Preservation Society operates excursions to Waldo along a 6 mi/10 km segment of scenic railway rich in Downeast history. Highlights include train station listed on the National Register of Historic Places; rail bike excursions; selected runs to Thorndike and Burnham Junction. Trains operate seasonally.Selected features: holiday/event excursions.

A narrow-gauge coal-fired steam train shares billing with a livery of historic automobiles adding special authenticity and charm to this re-created New England village. The train rings a layout of 28 preservation structures set around a village green. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features: holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop, snack bar.

The MERR follows a 50 mi/80 km route along the coast. The magnificently restored Art Deco streamliner, complete with dome car and cafe, links Rockland and Brunswick via Wiscasset/ Boothbay Harbor and Bath. Highlights include Rail/Sail and Overnight packages. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features: holiday/event excursions, train charters.

Along a remnant of Maine's 19th-century narrow-gauge railroads, passengers may view the islands and activities of busy Casco Bay. Highlights include steam days, open-air gondola and guest engineer program. Trains operate year-round (closed Jan). Selected features: rail museum, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop, snack bar, wheelchair access.

The world's oldest, and largest electric railway museum runs classic streetcars up and down a 1.5 mi/2.5 km demonstration track. Over 250 trolleys and other transit vehicles from the US, Canada, and other countries are preserved on site. Highlights include Be a Motorman and educational programs. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features: rail museum, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop.

Within easy reach of Maine's popular coast, museum visitors are treated to a scenic ride along a restoration segment of the Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway's original two-foot gauge railroad (circa 1894-1933). Steam runs in summer. Trains operate year-round. Selected features: rail museum, holiday/event excursions, gift shop.

Amid the rustic beauty of the Berkshire Hills, the BSR meanders through the Housatonic Valley linking the old towns of Stockbridge, Lee and Lenox. Highlights include railroading exhibits and a model train display. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features: rail museum, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop.

Sand dunes and cranberry bogs skirt this historic route between Hyannis and the Cape Cod Canal. Scenic excursions as well as brunch, luncheon and dinner trains are scheduled. Highlights include a Rail/Sail cruise combo. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features: dinner trips, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop, snack bar, wheelchair access.

America's oldest 24-in/70-cm narrow-gauge railway is part of a family fun park located on a 1500-acre/600-hectare cranberry plantation. Other attractions include antique trains and autos, eateries and a dozen amusement rides. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features: rail museum, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop, snack bar, wheelchair access.

The museum's beautifully restored 1896 Trolley Car No. 10 shuttles visitors around its original rail yard. Highlights include historic equipment and artifacts, restored car barn and guest motorman program. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features: rail museum, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop.

"The Restaurant with the constantly changing view" serves up gourmet five-course dinners along with stunning mountain and woodland vistas. Restored dining cars include a Pullman Planetarium dome car. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features: dinner trips, train charters, gift shop.

CSRR's Notch Train cuts through the heart of the White Mountains. A separate Valley Train explores the countryside with trips to Conway and Bartlett. Highlights include Notch dome and Valley dining cars. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features: rail museum, dinner trips, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop, snack bar, wheelchair access.

The "Hobo" trails along the Pemigewasset River on a memorable journey through the heart of the White Mountains. Highlights include Hobo Picnic Lunches available onboard. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features: holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop, snack bar.

Steam trains, gripping the world's oldest mountain cog railway, take passengers on a spellbinding thrill-ride to Mt. Washington's mile-high summit. Highlights include a Winter Ski Train. Trains operate year-round. Selected features: rail museum, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop, snack bar.

Pulled by a rare gear-driven steam locomotive, the train's woodland route takes it across a unique covered railroad bridge. The WMCRR is part of the Clark's Trading Post fun park. Other attractions include a bear show, bumper boats and a circus. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features: event excursions, train charters, gift shop, snack bar.

In the heart of the historic Lakes Region, WSRR offers a family-pleasing outing along the Lake Winnipesaukee shore. Highlights include onboard picnic lunches, caboose rides and an Ice Cream Parlour Car. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features: dinner trips, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop, snack bar.

Luncheon and dinner train cruises along romantic Narragansett Bay feature fine cuisine and black-tie wait service. Highlights include murder mystery and cabaret trains plus rail/sail, land/sea/air and overnight packages. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features: dinner trips, holiday/event excursions.

Century-old coaches, outfitted with potbelly stoves, include a first-class parlour car with wicker seating. A pair of aircraft carriers are among the sights along the Narragansett Bayside route. Trains operate year-round (Sunday only).

Meandering along the Champlain Lakeshore, CVF's picturebook route passes within sight of Camel's Hump and Mount Mansfield, the Green Mountain State's loftiest peaks. Roundtrips between Burlington and Shelburne may be made in either direction. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features: holiday/event excursions, train charters.

Along the Connecticut and Williams Rivers, the GMF makes its way past two covered bridges, a scenic gorge and a cascading waterfall en route to the picture-postcard village of Chester. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features: holiday/event excursions, train charters.

The White Mountain foothills form the backdrop for trains rolling through the Connecticut River's picturesque Upper Valley enroute to Norwich and the Montshire Museum of Science. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features: holiday/event excursions, train charters.