Trains and Railroads
All aboard! The railroad industry made Pennsylvania a giant in the Industrial Age. When visitors take in the Horseshoe Curve, Altoona's engineering marvel, or visit one of our popular railroad museums, PA's railroad history lives on. Trains played a vital role in making the state what it is today, and they continue to serve as valuable transportation.
Railroad infrastructure fills much of Pennsylvania, so whether you want a ticket to ride or to explore the history of local railroads, you can find many trains and railroads across the state to satisfy your desires.
Winter Train Rides in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s sparkling winter landscape looks even better from a window seat. Climb aboard a heated coach for a scenic winter train ride that runs at your speed. For something straight out of a storybook, climb aboard a festive train with hot cocoa, classic holiday tales, visits with Santa or even a trip to pick out a Christmas tree. Explore these top holiday train rides in Pennsylvania and get tickets for your new favorite tradition.
Magical train rides don’t stop when the holidays end. Ride through a snow-dusted valley on Colebrookdale Railroad's Snowflake Special, take your dinner reservation aboard the Strasburg Rail Road's or step back into the flapper era for cocktails and canapés on New Hope Railroad's Speakeasy Train.
Ride the Rails
Trains are one of the best ways to experience the Pennsylvania countryside and uncover hidden spots. Trip planning is also easier with a means of transportation that takes you to all the best locations. For those interested in steam railroads in Pennsylvania, there are several tourist railroads that offer a glimpse into the state's rich rail history while providing stunning scenic views:
- Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway: Take an hour-long ride through the beautiful Lehigh Gorge State Park in 20th-century trail cars pulled by diesel trains.
- Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad Company: Travel between two Pennsylvania towns in an 11-mile trip and learn about the local history during the journey.
- Colebrookdale Railroad: Ride the rails on the line that took many Civil War soldiers home and see natural beauty and wildlife, including deer, herons, and bald eagles.
- Strasburg Rail Road: Journey through the heart of Amish farmland on a dinner train, and stop for shopping and a café once you return to the station.
Photo Credit: Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau
Experience Engineering Marvels
The trains that crisscross Pennsylvania are incredible, and so are the rails and bridges that make travel possible. Discover these marvels by visiting sites like the Johnstown Inclined Plane in the Alleghenies. This railroad structure carries passengers up the steepest existing railway, and you can still ride it today.
View trains traveling overhead on your next trip to upstate PA by visiting one of the two historic bridges in the region — the Starrucca Viaduct and the Historic Tunkhannock Viaduct. Some railroad structures have been repurposed, like the Kinzua Bridge State Park. What was once an elevated railroad is now a skywalk offering stunning views of greenery and wildlife.
Photo Credit: Gabe McMullen
Travel Back in Time
Beyond riding on or seeing historical trains, you can learn about their history at various sites throughout the state. Here are a few historic railroad attractions in Pennsylvania to visit:
- Railroaders Memorial Museum: This location strives to educate visitors about central Pennsylvania railroad history — while in the area, stop by the Horseshoe Curve Landmark.
- Annville Train Station & Heritage Center: This preserved 1800s train station showcases early railroad history, and guided tours are available to discover its inner workings.
- Derry Station Railroad Heritage Park: This historic station is always open for exterior tours, and you can reserve visits to the cabooses.
- SEPTA Transit Museum: Check out an old trolley, train models, and local transportation history at this museum, then stop by the gift shop for Philly railroad souvenirs.