Railroad culture is terrific, and because of the advancement throughout history, people have been able to travel freely and go anywhere they wanted. With this list, you’ll find the most scenic railroads in the country that are steeped in grandeur and have changed what travel looks like for all of us. Let’s book a train ticket and start exploring.
Rocky Mountaineer
A train that takes its guests on a gloriously luxurious journey through the mountains. You get to see wilderness, mountains, and travel in style. The service is fantastic, and with the glass dome, it’s an almost ethereal experience. It’s truly changed how people travel because it tailors your trip to your region of interest and makes everyone feel like royalty.
Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad
If you want to see the national parks up close, this train is for you. You have many options at your fingertips, and you get to choose what experience you want. For example, if you love music, you might want to select a jazz-themed journey, but if you’re a fan of the holidays, hold out for the family experience.
The Cascades
The Amtrak makes a beautiful journey through the Pacific Northwest. Enjoy the sights of lush forests and the Cascade Range. It’s a great way to see everything you want, explore the area’s natural attractions, and check out the hotspots. It’s the best way to have your cake and eat it too. The communities are lively and friendly, and it’s an incredible way to have fun.
Cumbres & Toltec
This railroad journey promises the trip of a lifetime. You’ll see the beauty of our country while history comes alive. Through the 64 miles, you’ll go through meadows, deserts, mountains, tunnels, and trestles. The best part? It’s an entirely authentic steam railroad since the late 1800s. It’s the best ride for history lovers.
Coast Starlight
If you want to travel to the west, check this one out. It promises to hit the best. You’ll see Oregon, Sacramento, Santa Barbara, and more. They offer a sightseeing lounge, and it has floor-to-ceiling windows, meaning you experience nature like you never have before in your life. It takes 36 hours and it is about $150 for a coach ticket.
The Grand Canyon Railway
Explore prairies and forests, and see bald eagles and other wildlife. The historical cars of the trains have a historical past, and the views are great because of the glass-dome ceilings. It’s the way of the future. It is a shorter trip at only two hours, and a luxury dome car will cost you $120.
The Skunk Train
Take a trip in time as you journey through the past. This train has been in business since the late 1800s. This 16-mile journey will let you see the oldest tree in the area, the Wolf Tree, and you can enjoy delicious refreshments while you travel in comfort. For two hours, you’ll make the journey, and you’ll have the chance to upgrade to a VIP ticket, get a picnic lunch, or meet the engineer!
Durango & Silverton
Come to the wild west with this train. It’s a great opportunity to take a historical journey and pass old stagecoach trails or mining camps. Bring your camera because this is photo-worthy. It’s a seasonal train, so it’s only open from summer to right before December. You’ll have two hours to visit Silverton, and you can choose to ride the diesel or steam train.
The Hawaiian Railway Society
This train travels for an hour and a half across Oahu. The trip is in an old sugar-cane hauler. It goes slower than other trains at only 15 miles an hour. However, you get to see a version of the area that no one else does, and they offer a parlor car from 1900. It was the founder’s personal car. You will need a reservation, though.
California Zephyr
This is one of the longest routes, but it’s worth it. You’ll see stunning sights and enjoy traveling through the most popular cities and areas that are off the beaten path. It’s the best way to get to Tahoe, and you can travel in style. Plus, no traffic! Book in advance for this one, and if you want an overnight sleeper, you’ll pay more.
Alaska Denali Star
Time to spot nature and wildlife up close. See mama bears and caribou, and visit Denali National Park. If you splurge on the Goldstar upgrade, you have an upper-level viewing platform putting you right in the thick of everything. At the top, it’s just you and nature. It is a twelve-hour journey, and the Gold option is $445.
Adirondack
This train ride showcases the gorgeous foliage of New York. It provides a lovely escape from city life, and you can relax and feel at peace on this trip. You can plan an overnight stay in a town that has lovely people and an even sweeter community. You also have an opportunity to experience a local event, making this trip even better.
Cass Scenic Railroad
No matter the age, you’ll love this ride. With over one billion feet of lumber shipped during the early century, the train has a vibrant history. Engines easily give you a solid ride, and you’ll go for 22 miles total. Flowers are everywhere, you’ll climb over 2,000 feet and see wildlife and plants you’ve never seen before.
The Empire Builder
This is a train that is said to mirror a great deal of the expedition of Lewis and Clark. The train will take you through must-see sights and the greatest parts of the original expedition. The trip is 46 hours, so it’s recommended that you book a roomette so that you can get comfortable. However, a roomette starts at $1,300, so it depends on each person’s budget.
Pacific Surfliner
If you want ocean views, we’ve found your train. It’s a 351-mile route, so be prepared. However, you see directly into the coast and you see the best of the best. If you book in advance, you may get a better deal, and they offer sleeper accommodations if need be. If you want a coach ticket, it will be $61.
Historical Rides
As you can see, our country’s travel history has vastly changed from what it was before. With our list, you can see that some of the oldest trains are still alive and kicking, but adapting to the future of travel. Our country has a rich and cultural history, and with these trains, you can be a witness to it. Find your favorite and plan a trip.
