Ratings are a scale 1 to 5.
1 is bad; 5 is good.
| Altoona Railroader's Memorial Museum 1300 Ninth Avenue Altoona, PA 16602 (814)-946-0834 (888)-425-8666 Rating: 4.0 |
Altoona has an incredible history with the railroad. Beginning with the Pennsylvania, then the Penn Central, Conrail, and finally Norfolk Southern, Altoona has always been an important railroad city in this country. The Pennsylvania Railroad relied on Altoona and its hard workers to design, build, and test new locomotives every day. Today the tradition lives on; Altoona is home to the Juniata Locomotive Shop, one of the largest locomotive facilities in the world. This museum is dedicated to these hard workers of Altoona and defiantly worth a visit if you’re in the area. In addition, the ARMM is the owner of the official steam locomotive of PA, which is currently under restoration at Steamtown National Historical Site. In addition, the ARMM conducts a "Railfest" during the first weekend in October. This event is worth a visit if the PRR E8's are in town, and hopefully soon PRR K4 1361 will return. Best Part: The museum has quite a collection and nice displays inside |
| Amtrak Washington DC (800)-USA-RAIL Rating: 4.0 |
While not a tourist railroad, Amtrak is a great way to see this beautiful country. Amtrak trains operate all over the coutry, over the mountains, through the plains, and next to the shore. A ride aboard our nation's only national passenger railroad is a great way to get to a vacation destination or make it a vacation itself. When scheduling your trains, be sure to allow enough time during layovers in case of a late train. Best Part: Riding the train and seeing the country |
| B&O Railroad Museum 901 W. Pratt St. Baltimore, MD 21223 (410)-752-2490 Rating: 4.75 |
The B&O museum is amazing. They have a great collection of B&O, C&O and other CSXT lines equipment from locomotives to boxcars to cranes. The roundhouse is amazing and the pieces inside are incredible. They really bounced back from the roof collapse of a few years ago. This museum is definatly worth a visit, even if you're not going to Baltimore for anything else. The only negative thing I can say is some pieces in the collection are not available for viewing. Best Part: Amazing collection in great condition |
| Bellefonte Historical Railroad The Train Station East High Street Bellefonte, PA 16823 (814)-355-2917 Rating: 3.75 |
This review is from the "Ride 'N Dine" excursion only. In the Victorian town of Bellefonte, PA you might spot a pair of rail diesel cars (RDC) sitting on a siding next to a station. These two relics are operated by the Bellefonte Historical Society. Nearly all the rails the BHRX operates on are owned by the Nittany & Bald Eagle Railroad. This is a shortline railroad between two NS main lines. Branches go south from Bellefonte to Pleasant Gap and Lemont. After making all their safety checks, the crew will bring the RDC to the former PRR station resored by the Bellefonte Historical Society. Passengers will load while the engineer requests permission from Norfolk Southern's Altoona East dispatcher. Since Conrail began operating coal trains over the NBER via trackage rights, it became necessary for the entire line from Tyrone to Lock Haven to be controlled by Conrail, and now NS's dispatcher. The ride is smooth and relatively swift on the continuous welded rail installed by NS. After one and a half hours you will reach Tyrone and have a great dinner at Burley's Restaurant. It is a late arrival back at Bellfonte. During my trip, a group was consuming alcohol and became intoxicated and their bahavior the rest of the night left much to be desired. The meal was amazing, however. This is a train ride more suited to older adults than yonger couples or general railfans. As an added note, a breif cab ride was not offered as had been stated by someone connected with the BHRX. Best Part: The meal I suppose |
| Cass Scenic Railroad PO Box 107 Cass, WV 24927 (304)-456-4300 Rating: 5.0 |
I am always extremely impressed with Cass’ operation. They operate to three distinations Whittaker Station, Spruce, and Bald Knob. Two locomotives are used on the Bald Knob run, while only one is required for the other two. Cass is located in the middle of the West Virginian Appalachian Mountains and operates over a former logging line. The trains pass through two switchbacks and climb up a 9.5% grade. A park ranger narrates the entire ride. Information on the line, equipment, and trackside vegetation is given. The Spruce and Bald Knob trains stop at Whittaker Station for 30 minutes for passengers to tour the logging camp and buy concessions. Once the train reaches the top of the mountain, there is a 45-minute stop. Passengers can have a picnic lunch and enjoy the impressive view from the observation deck 2,500 feet above the valley floor. The Spruce train operates over trackage rights on the West Verginia Central Railroad, a former Western Maryland line, between Big Cut and twin bridges. Back at Cass, visitors can no longer walk around the back shop and down the C&O mainline. "Restricted Area" signs have been installed around 2004 or 2005. The only bad thing I can say about Cass is their new restricted area signs. If your going in a group, rent one of the 19 company houses and save some money. They're no Hilton, but they're just as good as my own apartment. Take caution on your ride to Cass as some of the roads are pretty hairy. Best Part: CSR operates the worlds largest collection of geared steam locomotives and the most Shays |
| Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad PO Box 1057 Chama, NM 87520 (888)-286-2737 Rating: 5.0 |
Once part of the extensive D&RGW network of narrow gauge railroads, the C&TS is an incredible all-day journey through the Rockies. Trains normally depart from both ends of the line and meet at Osier, the halfway point, for a hot meal included in the ticket price. The ride is too long to make the return trip on the same day, so buses take passengers back to their boarding point. The C&TS uses original DRGW 2-8-2 locomotives, all of the K-36 class at the time of this writing. The ride is very scenic and takes you from valley floors to mountain cliffs and gorges. The trains operate through two tunnels and over three larger bridges. Passenger trains are made up of a fleet of passenger cars rebuilt from standard gauge flatcars. The C&TS still maintains a large fleet of all types of freight cars and even has two rotary snow plows, one of which can be made to operate if I understand correctly. Docents from the Friends of the C&TS narrate most of the ride and this really makes for an enjoyable trip. Best Part: Everything is great! I can't just pick one thing |
| Colorado Railroad Museum 17155W. 44th Ave. Golden, CO 80403 (800)-279-6263 Rating: 4.0 |
This museum maintains a large collection of both narrow gauge and standard gauge equipment. Their turntable, and many of the tracks leading off it are dual gauge. They have everything from a DRGW K-37, to an A-B set of DRGW F9's, to a DRGW GP30, to a few Shay geared locomotives and more. Steam-powered train rides are conducted only on certain days on a loop around the museum. This museum is definately worth a stop during a trip to Colorado. Best Part: Excellent collection |
| Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad 479 Main Ave. Durango, CO 81301 (970)-247-2733 Rating: 5.0 |
The DSNG operates over the famous DRGW Silverton Branch. Trains depart Durango for Silverton, a 3.5 hour one-way ride. At Silverton, there is a layover long enough for lunch and souvenir shopping at the old-fasion shops. The railroad follows the Animas River most of the trip and at one point is 400 feet above the river at the "High Line." The DSNG also uses original DRGW 2-8-2 locomotives and original passenger equipment from the DRGW days. The area around Durango is built-up, but once out of town, great photos can be taken. The DSNG maintains a great museum with many nice displays and has a nice gift shop also. Best Part: Great scenery and excellently cared for equipment |
| Durbin & Greenbriar Valley RR - Cheat Mountain Salamander Cheat Bridge, WV 1-877-MTN-RAIL Rating: 3.75 |
Not far from Durbin is Cheat Bridge, where you board the Cheat Mountain Salamander. First you travel north to High Falls of Cheat. The falls are very interesting and photogenic. If you take the south trip you travel to Spruce and Big Cut. Mile by mile you follow the Cheat river, which can be beautiful, but every curve seems to look the same. This is a nice ride, however. Best Part: The scenes along the Cheat River |
| Durbin & Greenbriar Valley RR - New Tygart Flyer Belington, WV 1-877-MTN-RAIL Rating: 4.0 |
This train ride begins at Belington. Here you board the train and take your seat. Once underway, this is a very smoth ride on CWR and in 1950's (or so) passenger cars. At times the train reaches 25 mph. After a station stop in Elkins, the train travels just 5 mph through an S curve tunnel because of close clearances. During the rest of the ride, you travel over bridges and along the Cheat River until you reach High Falls of Cheat, the same destination as the Salamander's North run. Best Part: The diesels painted for Western Maryland |
| East Broad Top Railroad PO Box 158 Rockhill, PA 17249 (814)-447-3011 Rating: 5.0 |
Unlike many museums, the narrow gauge EBT is an operating museum. While others have their historic pieces "stuffed and mounted," the entire grounds of the EBT is a museum. From their one-of-a-kind shop complex, to their 1882 coaches and early 1900's steam locomotive fleet, the EBT is an absolute must see for any and all railfans and even history buffs. Today the EBT operates on a 5-mile portion of its original 32-mile mainline from Mt. Union to Robertsdale. From June through October, an authentic EBT train visits Colgate Grove for hungry picnicers. The EBT is one of North America's most famous narrow gauge lines, probably the most famous in the east, and is worth a trip for all ages. Begining in 2006, you can also ride a speeder car or a handcar during your visit to the EBT. Best Part: Absolutely everything is original from the equipment, to the buildings, everything! |
| Gallitzin Tunnels Park & Caboose Museum 411 Convent Street, Suite 20 Gallitzin, PA 16641 (814)-866-8871 (814)-866-6811 Rating: 3.0 |
This park is among the museums located along an active right-of-way. At least 60 trains each day pass through the Allegheny Tunnel at Gallitzin. Unfortunately, because of the layout of the land, the New Portage Tunnel is not visible from the park. It is on the other side of town. Photographers can get some nice shots at the museum, but hiking to the New Portage Tunnel which is just out of sight from a public road is done at your own risk. Inside the caboose you will find many photos documenting the building and enlarging of the Gallitzin Tunnels. Souvenirs can be purchased in the gift shop and caboose. Best Part: Hmm, not sure |
| Georgetown Loop Railroad PO Box 249 Georgetown, CO 80444 (888)-456-6777 Rating: 5.0 |
The GLRR is a very interesting narrow gauge operation. Passengers board at the Silver Plume station. Shops and yards are located here also. The distance between Silver Plume and Georgetown is 2 miles and the elevation difference is over 600 feet. In order for the railroad to conquer this grade, the right-of-way loops over itself and goes from one side of the narrow valley to the other side four times. The highlight of the three mile ride is the Devil's Gate High Bridge. The GLRR uses Colorado & Southern #9, an 1884 2-6-0 built by Cooke, just brought back to service this year. Their 2-6-2 #12 is in the shop as of this writing for a broken axle. Best Part: Litte #9 and #12 |
| Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum 300 S. Burans Boulevard PO Box 2858 Hagerstown, MD 21741 (301)-739-4665 Rating: 2.0 |
First of all, if you're expecting a tour of a roundhouse, you're not going to get one here. The WM roundhouse and associated buildings were demolished in 1999 despite efforts by HRM. This museum does, however, have some nice displays, a nice gift shop, and HO and O gauge layouts on the second floor. Some of the museum's equipment is accessible next to the building, but the majority is off-limits due to CSXT being a neighbor. Best Part: That this museum is as small as it is |
| Horseshoe Curve National Historic Landmark 1300 Ninth Avenue Altoona, PA 16602 (814)-946-0834 (888)-425-8666 Rating: 3.75 |
Completed in 1854 and located on a heavily used mainline, Horseshoe Curve is a nice place to enjoy a picnic with the family or even someone special. Over 60 trains will pass over the curve in 24 hours on three tracks. Trains going upgrade (west) can be heard a mile away, while trains going downhill (east) are busy braking and controlling their decent into Altoona. In addition, two passenger trains pass through each day. A first generation diesel locomotive painted in PRR colors is on display at track level. Photos are easy to take, but most people are tired of the usual roster shot against the rock cliff. ATV trails are hikable, but will not be discussed here. The Horseshoe Curve is operated by the Altoona Railroader's Memorial Museum. Best Part: Lots of trains |
| Hunt Tower Transporation Museum 500 Allegheny Street Huntingdon, PA 16652 (814)-643-6308 Rating: 2.5 |
This tower is one of the few remaining interlocking towers between Harrisburg and Pittsburgh. The second floor has been turned into a transportation museum with the Norfolk Southern main line just a few feet away. Archives can be found on the East Broad Top, Huntingdon & Broad Top, Diamond Valley, Pennsylvania, and Conrail. Trains can be viewed and photographed from the bay window where the operator once watch trains. The original switch levers have been modified into an electronic map display and there are two model railroad layouts inside. The layouts remind me of a nearly bankrupt shortline however. Apparently the Hunt Tower museum has closed. Best Part: Lots of trains |
| Middletown & Hummelstown 136 Brown Street Middletown, PA 17057 (717)-944-4435 Rating: 3.0 |
Completed in 1890, the Middletown & Hummelstown was once part of the Reading Railroad system. The line currently connects with the Amtrak Keystone Corridor at Middletown and the Norfolk Southern Harrisburg Line at Hummelstown. Between August 2003 and through 2004, the M&H had been pulling their tourist trains with their restored Canadian National 2-6-0 #91, built 1910. Now they will go back to their GE switchers. The M&H uses 1920's passenger cars for tourist trains. If you're expecting to ride from Middletown to Hummelstown, you will be disappointed. The train stops at the Indian Echo Caverns platform, then reverses the entire distance back to Middletown for lack of a turning facility. On the way back to Middletown from Indian Echo Caverns, there is onboard entertainment. It is lively, however, a bit overkill in my opinion. On the weekdays, the M&H is an active freight shortline and can be seen using one of their ALCo diesels. Best Part: Relaxing train ride along a river |
| National Toy Train Museum 300 Paradise Lane Strasburg, PA 17579 (717)-687-8976 Rating: 1.5 |
This musuem, focusing on toy and model trains, is a stone's throw from both the Strasburg Railroad and the RR Museum of PA. Inside are several operating layouts of new, old, and extremely old toy trains. This display is worth a visit for the kids if you're in the area. In my opinion, it wasn't worth my $3, even though I am a modest collector of model trains. Best Part: Not sure |
| Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad PO Box 657 Romney, WV 26757 (304)-424-0736 Rating: 4.0 |
This diesel-powered excursion offers two distinations, Mooreville and Petersburg. This is a great experience for all ages. The train takes you along the South Branch of the Potomac River and through a gorge that several eagles call home. There are several scenic views along the line and the train makes pretty good speed on parts of the line. While traveling through the gorge, passengers are allowed to watch for eagles from the open gondola. Best Part: The F units that pull the train and the great scenery |
| Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania PO Box 15 Strasburg, PA 17579 (717)-687-8628 Rating: 4.5 |
This world-class museum features a collection of over 100 locomotives and pieces of rolling stock, including the PRR Historical Collection. This collection was purposly saved by the PRR and stored in Northumberland Yard (I think) before being on display at the RR Museum of PA. Located just across the street from the Strasburg Railroad, a day trip to these two is a must. Any railfan or rail buff could spend hours browsing this impressive collection of railroad equipment from a tiny 3’ gauge 0-4-2T to a gigantic 4-8-2 M1b. This museum features steam, diesel, and electric locomotives as well as self-propelled cars. Unfortunatly, nearly all the steam locomotive are inoperable and some parts of the non-steam collection seam to be neglected. It does take time and money to care for additional pieces. The museum's outside yard, which is only open on a day-to-day basis, is home to some of the more modern pieces that will hold up to the weather better. And for God sake, don't step on the track, you'll be scolded and lectured for hours. Best Part: Excellent collection! |
| Rockhill Trolley Museum PO Box 203 Rockhill, PA 17249 (814)-447-9576 Rating: 4.0 |
With its large collection of operating trolley and subway cars, the RTM is a great supplement to a trip to the East Broad Top. The RTM operates on the formerly abandoned Shade Gap branch of the EBT. The line extends from the platform across the street from the EBT station to near the crossing of Rt. 522 at Blacklog Narrows. The ride is 3 miles and lasts about 30 minutes and follows the Blacklog Creek for much of the trip. From a snow sweeper over 100 years old, to a popular open trolley from Brazil, to modern subway cars, the RTM operates a variety of equipment each day. In addition to its own operations and restoration work, the RTM also maintains some of the EBT’s motorized equipment. Best Part: Excellent collection and ride |
| Strasburg Railroad PO Box 96 Strasburg, PA 17579 (717)-687-7522 Rating: 4.0 |
The Strasburg RR is an impressively run tourist operation. Each piece of rolling stock, locomotive and passenger car, is in pristine condition. The crew takes you on a 45 minute narrated excursion from East Strasburg to its connection with the national rail system at Leahman Place. If you’re lucky, you might catch an Amtrak Keystone train speeding through while the locomotive is running around the train. Unfortunately, since Strasburg has no turning facilities at the time of this writing, the locomotive runs forward only on the return trip to Strasburg, which does happen to be the right direction for photos. In addition to tourist revenues, the Strasburg also does contract work for other steam tourist lines such as the EBT, handles an occasional freight car, and serves the Railroad Museum of PA. Best Part: Everything is in excellent condition from the locomotives to the passenger cars |
| Steamtown National Historic Site 150 South Washington Avenue Scranton, PA 18503 (888)-693-9391 Rating: 4.25 |
There is one heck of a collection of railroad equipment at Steamtown. Unfortunately, the majority of it is stored outsite needing at least a coat of paint. That aside, Steamtown has a great museum with very informative displays. Shop tours are available where you can see one or more locomotives under repair. The Delaware-Lackawanna Railroad is next door and usually has some of their locomotive sitting nearby. Best Part: Lots and lots of stuff to see here |
| Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern 42 Community Center Dr PO Box 24 Kempton, PA 19529 610-756-6469 Rating: 3.7 |
Tucked away in a little corner near Reading and Allentown is the WK&S. This line is a former Reading branch, last operated in the late 1960's. The WKS's motive power is currently a GE 45 tonner, and a huge 0-6-0T. Their train ride is about 3 or 4 miles, mostly along a river. At each end, the locomotive runs around the train. This is no Strasburg RR, but this is a very personable and friendly railroad. Best Part: This is a nice short ride |
| Western Maryland Scenic Railroad 13 Canal Street Cumberland, MD 21502 (800)-TRAIN-50 Rating: 4.0 |
After you buy your tickets and walk out to the platform of this beautiful station, you will hear the howl of #734 in the distance. In a short time, the huge 2-8-0 will pass you by with several vintage passenger cars in tow. The train leaves Cumberland, climbs over 1,000 feet, and travels 32 miles to Frostburg, MD and back to Cumberland. At Frostburg the locomotive is turned on a turntable built at the entrance of an abandoned tunnel at the end of the line. The train waits for about 90 minutes while passengers can get a bite to eat in Frostburg or the shops at the end of the line. Souvenirs can be purchased here or at the Cumberland station upon returning. I finally got to ride the WMSR and it was pretty nice. The ride is narrated in both directions and offers great views of surrounding mountain sides. Best Part: #734 is an impressive engine, gotta love the GP30's too |
| NOTE 1: Please be aware that I am very close to the East Broad Top and my opinions above may be a little partial. NOTE 2: Admission to Horseshoe Curve included in admission to Altoona Railroad Museum and visa versa. | |
Copyright © 2003-2005 Lance Myers. All rights reserved.