Top 10 Most Scenic Train Rides in America
Try viewing a train as a method to discover all that this nation has to offer in terms of beauty and history rather than just a means of transportation. These ... read more...gorgeous train journeys across America, from the stunning Grand Canyon to the wine-filled Napa Valley, may possibly make you appreciate the frequently overlooked means of transportation once more. Every excursion is unique, so take a seat back, unwind, and enjoy the scenery. Here are some of the Most Scenic Train Rides in America.
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The Grand Canyon Railway, one of the Most Scenic Train Rides in America, will take you 65 miles north through Kaibab National Forest to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park after picking you up in a restored antique rail car in Williams, Arizona. You'll go through various distinctive natural settings along the way, such as pinion and juniper woodlands, wide plains, and ponderosa pine forests. An already amazing voyage is made even more enjoyable by live music and theatrical cowboy rail robbery.
The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway constructed it; it was finished on September 17, 1901. The introduction of trains promoted tourism in the region, and the railway company played a key role in the development of Grand Canyon Village, a visitor center. The Grand Canyon Railway's passenger service was discontinued by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway in July 1968, and the line's freight service was terminated in 1974 as a result of declining ridership brought on by the rise of the automobile.
The route was bought by private investors in 1988, the infrastructure were repaired, and passenger trains resumed service on September 17, 1989. Today, the railroad runs all year long and transports hundreds of passengers to and from the canyon each day.
In order to honor the contribution the railroad has made to American history, the entire Grand Canyon Railway has been included on the National Register of Historic Places. -
Before climbing all the way to the top of Cumbres Pass, which rises to a height of 10,015 feet and is the highest mountain pass reachable by rail in the United States, on the journey from Chama, New Mexico, to Antonito, Colorado, you'll pass through undulating meadows and hills covered in aspen trees. Alpine meadows, emerald conifer trees, and wildflowers now dominate the surrounding landscape, along with breathtaking vistas of the valley below. Back down to an open plain with panoramic vistas of Colorado's beautiful high peaks, long tunnels and constrained ledges eventually lead. If you'd like, you can take the train in the opposite direction.
By boarding the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad at the Antonito Depot, you can experience a delicious sampling of the state of Colorado's natural splendor. The ride aboard this steam locomotive is known to be the longest in North America. To enjoy the trips that the organization offers, you must block out the entire day. You can choose between a parlor seat or deluxe seating if you want a little extra luxury. Either way, you are guaranteed a lovely experience you won't soon forget.
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In Cass, Pocahontas County, West Virginia, there is a state park and historic railroad called Cass Scenic Railroad State Park. Once you board Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, you only have access to one type of seats. The good news is that whichever seat you choose will be the best available. These wooden benches are arranged in a line parallel to the railway, providing the finest view possible of the views the train passes.
There are two options, both of which offer fantastical views of mountain and river features that are unique to this area. Bald Knob is the lengthier path, covering 11 miles (17.7 kilometers), and it takes less than 5 hours to accomplish. The other is Whittaker Station, a 4-mile (6.4-kilometer) excursion that takes 2 hours to complete roundtrip.
It comprises the 11 miles (18 km) long Cass Scenic Railroad, a heritage railway that is run by the Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad and is owned by the West Virginia State Rail Authority. The historic company town of Cass and a part of Bald Knob's top, which is Back Allegheny Mountain's highest point, are also included in the park. -
Once you board a Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway train, you will have a thrilling 16-mile (25.7-kilometer) journey that takes 70 minutes and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. These historic coaches, some of which date back to 1917, offer a relaxing ride from Jim Thorpe Station through the stunning Lehigh Gorge State Park. While the train makes its way by the Lehigh River and Glen Onoko Falls on its way to the state park, you will learn everything there is to know about these fascinating locations through narrations. While listening to historical tales about the train firm and how it came to be, you might watch individuals scaling steep cliffs.
On RBMN tracks, there are also passenger excursions. While the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway (LGSR) provides service between Jim Thorpe and Lehigh Gorge State Park, the RBMN itself runs excursion service from Reading and Port Clinton to Jim Thorpe.
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One of the Most Scenic Train Rides in America, The White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, which was constructed in 1898 and was extremely important during the Klondike Gold Rush. As an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, this railroad is recognized. You may visit a number of natural wonders, like glaciers and mountains, as well as man-made ones like tunnels and trestles, thanks to the narrow-gauge train.
There are two options available to you. The first is 107 miles (172 kilometers) from Skagway to Whitehorse, while the second is 67.5 miles from Skagway to Carcross (109 kilometers). Both of these routes may transport you back to the days of the gold rush while allowing you to travel in a vintage coach and see the most breathtaking views from Alaska to the Yukon Territory.
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You can board a vintage train at Conway Scenic Railroad for a unique railroad experience. Bring your family along for this amazing journey, which features two trains you can take pleasure in. The 21-mile (33.8-kilometer) Valley Train journey lasts 1.5 hours, and you have the option of dining in first class, coach, or Chocorua. The round-trip journey on the Notch Train is 60 miles (97 kilometers) long and takes 5.5 hours. Coach, first-class, and dome seats are available on this train. The Rhonda Lee train has a dome car that is only used for dining.
Dwight Smith, who worked for the Boston and Maine Railroad in the late 1960s, founded the Conway Scenic Railroad. The Conway Scenic Railroad was founded in 1974 when Smith and two local businessmen persuaded his employer to sell a piece of the Conway Branch that it had planned to abandon to them after years of talks. Russ and Dot Seybold, a husband and wife team, purchased the railroad from the original proprietors in 1999. On January 30, 2018, the railroad was once more sold to Profile Mountain Holdings Corp.
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The first mountain-climbing cog railway in the world is the Mount Washington Cog Railway, usually referred to as the Cog (rack-and-pinion railway). In the United States, the railway is still in use as it ascends Mount Washington in New Hampshire. To transport visitors to the mountain's summit, a Marsh rack system and both steam and biodiesel-powered locomotives are used.
More than three miles of the Mount Washington Cog Railway's lines are atop trestles. The journey up the mountain, which is 6,288 feet (1,916.5 meters) high, lasts 70 minutes. It takes 10 minutes less to go down. This railroad, which was finished in 1869, is recognized as having the first cogged railroad track in history.
On your journey to the summit of Mount Washington, you can decide whether to take a classic steam engine or a biodiesel train. In either case, knowledgeable tour guides will give you a thorough explanation of the thrilling journey. Visit Mount Washington Observatory for a while to take in the never-ending views of nature.
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The Fillmore and Western Railway Company is the owner of the railroad known by the reporting mark FWRY. The Ventura County Transportation Commission owned the tracks on which the business ran. At the company's rail yard, along the tracks between Santa Paula and Piru, and in the company's rail yard, visitors to Fillmore would observe filming going on as well as sets and support equipment. In 2021, they stopped running on the line.
The Fillmore & Western Railway Co. has a ton of fun and excitement in store for you. The most well-known rides are the movie trains, which let you observe the process of making a movie. Other themed rides are available, such as the well-liked Murder Mystery Trains. The other trains offer services for special occasions, scenic excursions, and exclusive private group activities. All trains are available year-round and can accommodate all kinds of passengers, including families and couples. These trains are historic coaches that have been restored; they were originally owned by three major Hollywood studios.
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Blue Ridge Scenic Railway departs from its storied station in Blue Ridge, Georgia, for its gorgeous journey. On a round-trip distance of 26 miles (42 kilometers), the Toccoa River and the scenery of Northern Georgia provide countless vistas of the natural world. Given that the depot is located deep into the Chattahoochee National Forest, this ought to be a fantastic chance for road trips with friends and family.
There are various historic trains available for tourists to pick from during the four-hour journey. You can choose between climate-controlled or open-air vehicles, and you'll get a two-hour break for food and shopping in McCaysville, Georgia, and Copperhill, Tennessee.
It departs at Blue Ridge, Georgia, in the United States and travels north along the Toccoa River via the former Marietta and North Georgia Railroad route to McCaysville, Georgia, and its twin city Copperhill, Tennessee. The Georgia Northeastern Railroad, which also runs freight service on the same route, is a parent company of this one. In 1998, the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway opened for business.
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The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad is a freight and heritage railroad with its headquarters in Bryson City, North Carolina, in the United States (reporting mark GSMR). American Heritage Railways, Inc., which also owns and runs the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Line (D&SNG) in Colorado, has owned and run the railroad since late 1999. On the former Southern Railway Murphy branch line between Dillsboro and Nantahala, North Carolina, the railroad runs excursion trains. Since then, with over 200,000 passengers annually, the GSMR has grown to be one of the most well-liked tourist railroads in the country.
Train rides on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad offer scenic journeys through a variety of landscapes and natural wonders. You can go for 4.5 hours along a 44-mile (71-kilometer) path through the North Carolina mountains that border the Nantahala. The alternate route allows you to experience a 4-hour adventure through tunnels and valleys as it follows the Tuckasegee River. The train station is situated in beautiful Bryson City, which serves as the park's entrance. There are several seating options available, including open-air coaches, climate-controlled vehicles, and first-class with dining.