10 Scenic Train Rides In The USA

1. Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Antonito Depot

You can have a luscious taste of the natural beauty the state of Colorado possesses by hopping on Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Antonito Depot. Vintage trains will take you for an adventure-filled ride up 10,015 feet (3052.6 meters) to scenic Cumbres Pass located between Antonito and Chama. This is acknowledged as the longest steam locomotive ride in North America. You need to clear your whole day to enjoy the trips offered by the company. Whether you take a parlor seat or want some measure of luxury by booking deluxe, you are assured of a beautiful experience you will never forget.

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Antonito Depot

Website: Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Antonito Depot

2. Cass Scenic Railroad State Park

You only get one classification of seating once you board Cass Scenic Railroad State Park. The good news is that any seat you take is the best seat in the house. These are wooden benches that are lined up parallel to the train, giving you the best vantage of all the scenery the train passes by. There are two routes to choose from, both of which give you surreal views of mountain and water features you will not see anywhere else. The longer route is Bald Knob which covers 11 miles (17.7 kilometers) and takes under 5 hours to complete. The other is Whittaker Station, which takes 2 hours to cover a round trip and is a 4-mile (6.4-kilometer) journey.

Cass Scenic Railroad State Park

Website: Cass Scenic Railroad State Park

3. Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway

Once you step inside one of Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway trains, you will experience an exhilarating 16-mile (25.7-kilometer) trip with views of picturesque terrain that takes 70 minutes. Built as far back as 1917, these heritage coaches provide a comfortable ride from Jim Thorpe Station through the beautiful Lehigh Gorge State Park. You will get all the information about these interesting places through narrations while the train weaves its way through Lehigh River and Glen Onoko Falls before settling into the state park. You might see people climbing high cliffs while you listen to old stories about the railroad company and how it came to be.

Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway

Website: Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway

4. Grand Canyon Railway

Going on a Grand Canyon Railway ride is one of the best ways to experience Grand Canyon, one of the world’s seven wonders. It not only offers a chance to ride in a vintage coach, but it also gives you an opportunity to take in some of the best land terrains you will ever see. Prairies, pines, and deserts all come one after another in this beautiful array of natural wonder that stretches 65 miles (105 kilometers). Choose among six seating categories available: Pullman, coach, first-class, observation dome, luxury dome, and luxury parlor. All six provide the same majestic scenery with some services thrown in depending on the category.

Grand Canyon Railway

Website: Grand Canyon Railway

5. White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad

In 1898, White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad was built and played a major role during the Klondike Gold Rush. This railroad is listed as an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. The narrow-gauge railway takes you to several natural wonders that include glaciers and mountains mixed with man-made structures like tunnels and trestles. There are two paths for you to choose from. The first is Skagway to Whitehorse, which covers 107 miles (172 kilometers), and the second is Skagway to Carcross, which stretches 67.5 miles (109 kilometers). Both these paths can take you back to the gold rush days and let you take in the best views from Alaska to Yukon Territory while riding a vintage coach.

White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad

Website: White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad

6. Conway Scenic Railroad

Conway Scenic Railroad lets you get on a heritage train and have a railway experience like no other. Bring your family along on this epic adventure that offers two trains you can enjoy. The Valley Train takes you on a journey that lasts for 1.5 hours and covers 21 miles (33.8 kilometers) where you can choose among first-class, coach, or Chocorua dining. The Notch Train trip lasts for 5.5 hours and stretches 60 miles (97 kilometers) round trip. This train offers coach, first-class, and dome seats. A third train called Rhonda Lee is a dome car strictly for dining.

Conway Scenic Railroad

Website: Conway Scenic Railroad

7. Mount Washington Cog Railway

Mount Washington Cog Railway measures over three miles long and most of the tracks are on trestles. The ride to the peak of the mountain takes 70 minutes long and is 6,288 feet (1,916.5 meters) high. The ride down takes 10 minutes less. This railway is acknowledged as the world’s first cogged railroad track which was completed in 1869. You can choose to ride a vintage steam engine or a biodiesel train on your trip to the top of Mount Washington. Either way, you will get a detailed description of the exciting ride with the help of knowledgeable tour guides. Spend some time at Mount Washington Observatory and enjoy the endless views of nature.

Mount Washington Cog Railway

Website: Mount Washington Cog Railway

8. Fillmore & Western Railway Co.

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

There is a whole lot of fun and excitement waiting for you at Fillmore & Western Railway Co. The most popular rides are the movie trains where you can see how movie production is done. There are other themed rides offered, including the popular Murder Mystery Trains. The other trains provide services for special events, scenic rides, and private group exclusive parties. All trains run throughout the year and cater to all types of travelers from couples to families. These trains are restored vintage coaches that were once properties of three major Hollywood studios.

Fillmore & Western Railway Co.

Website: Fillmore & Western Railway Co.

9. Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

Blue Ridge Scenic Railway starts its picturesque journey from its historic station in Blue Ridge, Georgia. The countryside of Northern Georgia and the Toccoa River provide endless views of nature, stretching a full 26 miles (42 kilometers) on a round-trip journey. This should be a great travel opportunity for families and friends since the depot is situated deep into Chattahoochee National Forest. The trip takes four hours to complete, and guests can choose among several vintage trains. You can have your choice between open-air or climate-controlled cars and will have a two-hour break at McCaysville, Georgia, and Copperhill, Tennessee, for some snacking and shopping.

Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

Website: Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

10. Great Smoky Mountain Railroad

Great Smoky Mountain Railroad train rides offer sightly trips that go through a myriad of scenery and natural wonders. You can take a trip through the mountains of North Carolina that lay along Nantahala, a journey that takes 4.5 hours on a 44-mile (71-kilometer) route. The other route takes you along the Tuckasegee River, allowing you to enjoy a 4-hour journey through valleys and tunnels. The train depot is located in charming Bryson City, the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Seating categories to choose from include open-air coaches, climate-controlled cars, and first-class with dining.

Great Smoky Mountain Railroad

Website: Great Smoky Mountain Railroad

Experience America through picturesque train rides

Trains provide the perfect way to take in the beautiful scenery. The USA does not fall short on natural beauty and has a lot to offer all types of travelers. This list helps you choose the routes to take on your next trip to the USA.