The West Chester Railroad operates 90-minute round-trip excursions over a historic route through the Chester Creek Valley on a former Pennsylvania Railroad branch line. The nostalgic train rides travel from West Chester to Glen Mills. Along the way, you’ll see several historic railroad stations.
Choices
Ride through the scenic woods in comfortable and heated remodeled coaches that were built in 1931 and 1932 for the Reading. All trains stop for 20 minutes to allow passengers to explore the Glen Mills station. Pack a lunch and enjoy the picnic trains that run on summer Sundays. A history train provides a look at the area’s history and what it was like to ride a train in past centuries.
When to go
Trains operate most Sundays, June through December. In addition to the regular trains, the schedule expands with Saturday rides for a number of special events including for Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Memorial Day, Halloween, and Christmas. Fall foliage trains offer a look at the area’s color.
Good to know
West Chester is the county seat of historic Chester County. The downtown district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the town features more than 3,000 structures that date back to the colonial period.
Worth doing
Visit the nearby Brandywine River Museum, which features works of art by three generations of the Wyeth family. Also nearby is Longwood Gardens, a world-famous botanical garden and arboretum, the American Helicopter Museum, and the Brandywine Battlefield state historic site.
Don’t miss
The West Chester’s Christmas tree train allows passengers to ride the train to a Christmas tree farm and select their trees, which are then cut and loaded on the train for the return trip.
Getting there
West Chester is in southeastern Pennsylvania, about 25 miles west of Philadelphia. Once in downtown West Chester, drive south on High Street and then east on Market Street. Parking is on the right, just past the bright yellow locomotive.
Location: 230 East Market Street, West Chester, PA
Website: wcrailroad.com
E-mail: info@wcrailroad.com
