Exploring America's Railroads
The US is prime road-trip country, but to get the best views and the most relaxing experience, you really can't beat a trip on one of America's railroads. We've rounded up our favorite journeys from across the land, taking in everything from epic cross-country escapes to short-run heritage routes in beautiful natural surroundings.
Rocky Mountaineer: Rockies to the Red Rocks
A new Rocky Mountaineer route will take passengers on an exciting two-day journey between Denver, Colorado and Moab, Utah, with an overnight stay in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The Rockies to the Red Rocks will be launched in August 2021 and all packages include meals aboard as well as accommodation in Moab, Glenwood Springs and Denver. (Photo taken before COVID-19 – you can learn more about Rocky Mountaineer's health and safety policies here.) Highlights of this remarkable journey include crossing the Continental Divide and enjoying spectacular scenery and extraordinary landscapes, including Ruby Canyon, Mount Logan and Mount Garfield (pictured). Like its SilverLeaf service level Canadian counterparts, the train will only run during the day and features oversized windows and glass-domed coaches to maximize the views.
California Zephyr: Chicago, Illinois to San Francisco, California
Whichever way you travel – Chicago to San Francisco or vice-versa – the 2,438-mile (3,924km), 51-hour cross-country journey on the California Zephyr is a breathtaking experience. From the impossibly majestic mountain ranges of the Rockies and the Sierra Nevada to the vast expanse of the Utah desert, the route offers stunning scenery from start to finish. There's a variety of accommodation on the train, from coach class seats to superliner bedroom suites, and travelers in private rooms have access to flexible dining that includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and a wide selection of drinks. A ride in the observation car, called Sightseer Lounge, is an unmissable experience, especially when passing through the rocky Colorado scenery. Currently, the train departs three days a week, but check the website for updates.
Cape Cod Central Railroad: Hyannis to Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts
A heritage railway dating back to the mid-1800s, the Cape Cod Central Railroad offers scenic excursions, swanky dining journeys and special events from May to October. The standard circular two-hour trip starts from Hyannis, known as the Capital of the Cape. It winds its way through the quaint villages of West Barnstable and Sandwich (the oldest on the Cape), along the Cape Cod Canal and across the landmark Buzzards Bay vertical lift bridge. On the way, travelers see sand dunes, salt marshes and cranberry bogs and hear fascinating commentary about Cape Cod Canal and other points of interest. The 2021 season is scheduled to go ahead as planned, but tickets are not yet available – check the website for the latest information.
Grand Canyon Railway: Williams to Grand Canyon Village, Arizona
The trip on the Grand Canyon Railway begins in Williams, a small town 30 miles (48km) west of Flagstaff. Meandering its way through ponderosa pine forests and open prairie, the train terminates in Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park, before heading back to Williams. The train departs at 9:30am daily. Those who pick the Dome car will have access to a private bar service with incredible views on the side. Opt for the luxury Parlor and you'll be able to step out onto the open-air rear platform and see the changing landscape from a different perspective. Passengers can keep their eyes peeled for wildlife including elk, mountain lions, mule deer, bald eagles and horned owls too.
Strasburg Rail Road, Pennsylvania
America’s oldest operating railroad, the Strasburg Rail Road first puffed off the buffers in 1832. Today it takes its passengers on a whistle-stop tour through Pennsylvanian Amish country. Touring the farmlands of Lancaster County, tended by the Amish, the regular excursion is a short but sweet 4.5 mile (7.2km) journey each way. Four steam locomotives still pull original rolling stock on the 45-minute round trip to and from Paradise, and an audio commentary dispenses nuggets of knowledge on the nation’s oldest continuously operating short line railway. There are typically numerous special outings, such as the Wine & Cheese ride, themed dinner trains and unique friends and family experiences, like escape rooms, trivia nights and even a cabaret – check the website for current availability. Keen trainspotters can also look out for the Amtrak trains racing past on a parallel line.
Southwest Chief: Chicago, Illinois to Los Angeles, California
The Southwest Chief train beats a 40-hour-journey through the American West, escorting travelers from the shore of Lake Michigan to the Pacific Ocean. It passes through eight states and calls in at Kansas City, Albuquerque and Flagstaff along the way. The epic journey is often billed as Amtrak's most scenic and crosses the Mississippi, sweeping past wheat fields, pueblos, peaks and deserts. The train, departing three times a week, carves its way through canyon passages so narrow you could almost touch the walls as you pass. The Chief also follows the weathered wagon path of the old Santa Fe Trail – an experience impossible to recreate on the road. Passengers might have to hustle for a spot in the Observation Car to soak up the best views, but it's well worth it. See the website for up-to-date schedules.
Tennessee Valley Railroad, Tennessee
The Tennessee Valley Railroad is a rolling museum of vintage trains, offering a variety of trips that show what traveling was like during the Golden Age of Rail. Excursions include a 50-mile (80.5km) half-day round trip to the Hiwassee Loop from Etowah, as well as a six-hour tour of the historic Civil War town Chickamauga, Georgia, via the former Central of Georgia Railroad. The Copperhill Special ride heads south, winding up in the twin towns of Copperhill, Tennessee and McCaysville, Georgia by lunchtime, before returning in the afternoon. Meanwhile, the Summerville Steam Special follows a historic nine-hour route from Grand Junction depot in Chattanooga, Tennessee to Summerville, Georgia and back. Trains run on select dates from April to November – check the website for the latest information.
Cass Scenic Railroad, West Virginia
The Cass Scenic Railroad State Park is a charming lumber heritage railroad in the mountains of West Virginia's Pocahontas County. The 11-mile (18km) each way route takes in gorgeous country views and the historic company town of Cass. Steam locomotives whisk passengers to the summit of Bald Knob, the highest point on Back Allegheny Mountain, on a 4.5-hour round trip. Passengers ride on open-sided log cars and a traditional "King of the Road hobo lunch" (meat and potatoes cooked in foil) is served on board after passing Old Spruce junction. There's a 30-minute layover at Bald Knob, 4,842 feet (1,476m) above sea level. One of West Virginia's highest mountains, it's the perfect spot to enjoy fine views across two states. Back in Cass, a company town founded in 1901 by the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company, passengers can soak up the atmosphere and imagine it in its logging heyday. Bookings for the 2021 season open soon – check the website for updates.
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Colorado
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad frequently finds itself among lists of the world’s greatest train journeys – and it’s not hard to see why. On the 45-mile (72km) each way route, the train crosses the Animas River five times and winds its way through canyons in the stark wilderness of the San Juan National Forest. Travelers pass farmlands, old stagecoach roads and the brooding Tacoma Power Plant along the way. The coal-fired locomotives are originals from the 1880s and the route follows in the tracks of countless miners, cowboys and gunslingers from the Old West. There are four classes to choose from during the summer season from May through to October. Normally it's possible to combine the train tickets with other tours to historic Silverton mines or Mesa Verde National Park, however, these are currently canceled because of COVID-19. Check the website for the latest information.
Redwood Forest Steam Train, California
California’s Roaring Camp Railroads offers two contrasting heritage services, both of which are great fun. The Redwood Forest Steam Train experience offers the chance to ride on a narrow-gauge steam train over trestle bridges and through towering redwoods. The train is pulled by one of the original 1890s narrow-gauge steam locomotives that were used to haul the giant redwood logs out of the mountains, and are among the oldest and most authentically preserved in America.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, North Carolina
All the GSMR's excursions leave from Bryson City and there's a choice between steam or diesel locomotive journeys. As well as the standard scenic excursions, there are also special events for kids such as PEANUTS Easter Beagle Express and PEANUTS The Great Pumpkin Patch Express. Steam train journeys typically run from June to December – check the website for the latest information. The train travels from Felton in the Santa Cruz Mountains to the summit of Bear Mountain for 75 breathtaking minutes. Conveniently, conductors are on hand to narrate the history of Roaring Camp, the railroad and the forest. Adults can typically book an Engineer For The Day experience and ride in the cab to assist in the locomotive's running, while little ones will love a day out with Thomas the Tank Engine – check the website for the latest information on schedules and tickets.
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