Travel tips for heritage railroads
North America has a plethora of classic railroading to offer and the summer travel season is the busiest time for many heritage railroads across the country. Yet, each railroad makes its own schedule and days of operation. So careful advanced planning can help make the most your railroad visits and avoid making disappointing missteps. Unlike commuter systems, Amtrak or other rail services that operate catering to year-round travel, heritage railroads focus operations on the days and times when each expects to generate the greatest ridership and therefore the most sustainable revenue. The effects of the post-Covid economy have further complicated the situation. Many tourist areas continue to suffer from labor shortages and the rising cost of materials and high fuel cost, which has contributed to some heritage railways curtailing their days of operation and/or having fewer trains on the move. Yet, there are still many great rides and historic equipment on offer. Consider visiting both the well-known and obscure heritage railroads to find great experiences this summer. Here are a few summer travel tips for heritage railroads.
Plan Ahead for your heritage railroad journey
If you haven’t visited your favorite tourist railroad since 2019, expect that things may have changed. Before you make a railroad visit be sure to explore the railroad’s website and social media sites. Most railroads post their operating calendar and train schedules online. Some of the busiest operators, such as Pennsylvania’s Strasburg Rail Road and the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway, New Hampshire’s Conway Scenic Railroad, and Colorado’s Royal Gorge Route and Arizona’s Grand Canyon Railway run seven days a week through the summer, while many other lines only offer excursions on select days. Wisconsin’s Mid-Continent Railway Museum advertises Wednesday to Sunday excursions between June 13th and September 4th, Iowa’s Boone & Scenic Valley operates Thursday to Sunday from May 27 through October,. New York’s Arcade & Attica has a summer schedule focused on Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday.
Plan your travel in advance and buy your tickets online. If a railroad has assigned seating and you are traveling in a group, it is advisable to try to book tickets for all members of your party at the same time so that you all may be seated together. Always arrive at the departure station at least 20-30 minutes before your train is advertised to leave. Do not assume that you can buy tickets moments before the train leaves the station. Many railroads offer various travel classes. Seats in the more unusual and desirable cars, including open cars, domes and tail-end observation cars are sold for premium fares. Despite the higher fare, these are often in high demand and may sell out weeks in advance. A few railroads offer cab ride options. These can be among the most exciting and but also among the most expensive travel options and naturally have limited availability. Paid cab experiences include California’s Railtown 1897 State Historic Park ‘Crew for the Day;’ Strasburg Rail Road In-Cab Experience that includes engineer, fireman, and ‘jump seat’ (observer) options; and Nevada Northern Railway at Ely, Nevada allows up to two people to travel with the engineer on regularly scheduled excursions.
A few neat heritage railroad events for 2023
Many tourist lines feature themed events, typically on weekends. Often these are designed at attracting the general public to boost ridership and exposure. These can be the busiest times, so if you are looking for a quiet time to visit your favorite heritage railroad, it might be better to consider a non-event day in the shoulder seasons (typically before and after the summer peak when schools are in session).
Pennsylvania’s East Broad Top is running its recently restored three-foot gauge 2-8-2 No. 16 on many of its excursions this summer and fall. Jonathan Smith, EBT’s director of sales and marketing says that the 2023 season has been great so far, and advises visitors that, “We are more than just a train ride. Plan extra time to take the guided tours of our shops and roundhouse. We now offer ‘combo tickets’ with discounts, but these are selling fast.”
Smith says that while most excursions are hauled by steam locomotive no. 16, he advises railfans that are hoping to see steam in action to check the website. “Any day that doesn’t advertise a diesel, should have no. 16 on our trains,” Smith says.
An hour and half drive from EBT is the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad that will be operating its massive former Chesapeake & Ohio 2-6-6-2 Mallet No. 1309 on peak Friday and weekend Frostburg Flyer trips later in the summer and autumn. Smaller heritage lines also offer neat events. Consider the Trains and Trolleys at Twilight joint evening event between the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum and New York Museum of Transportation held between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. on July 1 and August 5. This is an opportunity to travel on a diesel hauled train with vintage Erie and Penn-Central cabooses and change to a former Philadelphia & Western electric car. Among the features is live jazz music. Trains board at the former Erie Railroad Industry depot at Rush, N.Y., about 20 miles south of Rochester, N.Y.
While you are planning your heritage railroad adventure, be sure to visit the “Tourist Railroad Profile” section of Trains.com. Here you will find information on more than 500 heritage railroads and museums across the U.S. You can also find heritage railroad and museum information in the Tourist Trains Guidebook — 9th edition, which is currently available through KalmbachHobbyStore.com.
