Not really much of a question, there. I think they're awesome.
An outgrowth of my worsening trainitis is my family's yearly outing to a heritage steam train thingy. We visit a different one each time. You know the drill: ride the train, make toot toot noises, buy an esoteric hat. It's become something of a ritual for us.
My favourite remains my first. When I was about twelve and travelling with my parents, we stopped on a whim at the Forest Discovery Centre in Duncan BC. Dad greased a palm or two and I ended up riding in the cab of ol' Samson. To this day it remains one of my fondest memories. Oh, and there was a museum or something near the train.
Cass Scenic and Cumbres and Toltec are already on my bucket list. Favourites? Suggestions? Ideas what makes one more successful than another?
Stu
Streamlined steam, oh, what a dream!!
I've been on several and two are at the top of my list.
For "real" narrow gauge mountain railroading, the Cumbres & Toltec can't be beat.
For glamour and scenery, the Durango & Silverton is the top of my list.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
You can only be trapped if you chose to be trapped
I have ridden the Strassburg RR in PA twice and enjoyed the ride both times.
Other trains I have ridden that might be considered traps are the Dole Plantation train ride in Oauhu the Walt Disney World Train and one other plantation train in Hawaii.
Joe Staten Island West
Not sure you can call it a tourist train but a ride up Mt Washington in New Hampshire on a cog railroad in front of a little steamer was quite nice.They have diesels now also but I like the little steamer.
The engine stays a couple of feet away on the way down and the brakeman uses two hand wheels for braking.
The Essex Steam train and Riverboat ride is a nice experince. In Ct.
Strasburg is nice also about five miles one way as I recall.
Google, train rides in New Hamshire. I know there is one in Conway. I rode it few years ago. Dinner train. Very scenic.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
joe323 Other trains I have ridden that might be considered traps are the Dole Plantation train ride in Oauhu... Hawaii.
Other trains I have ridden that might be considered traps are the Dole Plantation train ride in Oauhu... Hawaii.
I visited Hawaii in 2008 and went to the plantation, unfortunately the train ride was down for repairs.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
The only Trap I know of today is Amtrak.
We have enjoyed the Strasburg Railroad a couple of times. Our favorite though is the Great Smokey Mountain Railroad. We have been there twice & the Nantahala Gorge Excursion in the fall is simply gorgeous. The ride from Bryson City to Dillsbore is nothing to sneeze at either. There are a couple of others that might not be as long or as scenic as the above, but I liked them anyways.
Tom
Pittsburgh, PA
mobilman44 I've been on several and two are at the top of my list. For "real" narrow gauge mountain railroading, the Cumbres & Toltec can't be beat. For glamour and scenery, the Durango & Silverton is the top of my list.
I stumbled on a railfan trip at Cass. Multiple stops for photo run bys and we all got ride in the loco cab. Shoveling coal was like looking into the fires of hell. I think it was either arranged by Pro Custom Hobbies or maybe I picked up a flier there. We stayed at the "company" homes in town Sheldon will remember that store, which still exists but has moved 20 miles or so NW of Baltimore. under new management.
I am going to catch the fall leave in Durango this year. I hope Mr Saez (Saez Sash and Door) is still a docent at the shops. He was the Southern Pacific photographer and has some great photos for sale.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
mobilman44For "real" narrow gauge mountain railroading, the Cumbres & Toltec can't be beat.
Haven't been there. But I have been to the White Pass and Yukon and think it would come close.
https://wpyr.com/
All people have to do is Google the tourist train name. You will get their website loads of links and discussions.
Any place worth anything today has a website. Most people cannot wait to offer opinions, good or not so good.
Surprisingly, one of the best I've been on is the park railroad in Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN. The engine is an ex-Yukon and White Pass 2-8-2 and it really works hard to get the train to the top of the run. Lots of wheel slip and black smoke out the stack.
Greg
I have not been on any yet. I would like to go to the fillmore railroad one in Fillmore CA and i Would like to do the Verde Canyon Railroad and the Grand Canyon one.
love any kind of train
A little ways away from you, bakerboy, but i hear Roaring Camp is something to see.
angelob6660 joe323 Other trains I have ridden that might be considered traps are the Dole Plantation train ride in Oauhu... Hawaii. I visited Hawaii in 2008 and went to the plantation, unfortunately the train ride was down for repairs.
The Dole plantion train is a complete joke. It is a cheap "tourist" train, not a real historical train. The Hawaiian Railway Society out in Ewa operates old Navy diesel electric locomotives on the old line between Pearl Harbor and Lualualei. They have two running 45 ton Whitcomb locomotives and are working on a 65 ton Whitcomb. They also have a variety of steam locomotives and other rolling stock, including an old Oahu RR business car that they sometimes use. It is very interesting to note that the Navy's 3 foot narrow gauge was extensively used for the construction of Pearl Harbor and the operation of the base which reached its peak after WWII. However the Navy went to using trucks and ceased rail operations in 1972. The Hawaiian Railway Society has what is left of the equipment that stayed on the island.
Well, living my whole life less than 1-1/2 hours from Strasbug, I have been there nearly as many times as my age of 59. The line originally chartered in 1832, was revived as a tourist line in 1958, when I was just a baby. My parents took me there numerious times as a child, just as I have taken my children and grand children there.
While it is a slow and short ride, it is full of history and action. During the busy summer months, trains run every half hour all day long, two seperate trains that pass each other during the trip - both steam powered.
It is claimed to be the last remaining place were two steam trains pass each other on a regularly published schedule - at least in North America.
I've been on a few of the others listed, and would like to get back to some of them as well as some others.
But Strasburg will always be one of my favorites because it is all right there:
Charming ride in actual restored turn of the century open platform wood coaches.
Pennsylvanna State Railroad Museum
Working shop tours - their shops do work for many tourist lines and museums around the country
Sleep in a caboose, at the Red Caboose Motel
Toy Train Museum
Choo Choo Barn O gauge layout
and more........
Strasburg is open every day of the week, all day long, for most of the year. Special events like Thomas (they created the first full size Thomas), and dinner trains, wine trains, etc.
Strasburg is also still a common carrier railroad, moving freight with steam and acting as a team track spur line off the NS.
It really is more than just a train ride.
Sheldon
joe323one other plantation train in Hawaii
The Sugar Cane Train on Maui?
richg1998ride up Mt Washington in New Hampshire on a cog railroad
Mt Washington Cog Railway http://thecog.com/
richg1998I know there is one in Conway. I rode it few years ago. Dinner train. Very scenic.railroad
Conway Scenic railroad http://conwayscenic.com/
I can name 4 or 5 more in Maine. The important thing in my mind is they are preserving some important pieces of history that otherwise would have been turned into scrap metal and lost forever. The only way they can survive is from the money tourists spend for the ride, in the gift shop, and on whatever special events the organization can put on during the season. I know because I volunteer with the model rr group at the Boothbay Railway Village and a member of the board of directors.
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
I'll "third" mobilman44 and Mel on the C&TSR and D&S and add the Georgetown Loop Railroad.
Ray
Another one to consider if any of you every get to Montana is the Charlie Russell Choo Chew http://www.montanadinnertrain.com/. I had the opportunity to take this train many years ago and it has inspired part of a planned expansion for my own layout.
Living near Cass and Elkins WV. We have a treasure trove of Tourist Railroads in the area. Cass is Great.
If you're in the area.... The pennsylvania trolley museum in Washington pa is a great place to visit.
(My Model Railroad, My Rules)
These are the opinions of an under 35 , from the east end of, and modeling, the same section of the Wheeling and Lake Erie railway. As well as a freelanced road (Austinville and Dynamite City railroad).
Kyle angelob6660 joe323 Other trains I have ridden that might be considered traps are the Dole Plantation train ride in Oauhu... Hawaii. I visited Hawaii in 2008 and went to the plantation, unfortunately the train ride was down for repairs. The Dole plantion train is a complete joke. It is a cheap "tourist" train, not a real historical train. The Hawaiian Railway Society out in Ewa operates old Navy diesel electric locomotives on the old line between Pearl Harbor and Lualualei. They have two running 45 ton Whitcomb locomotives and are working on a 65 ton Whitcomb. They also have a variety of steam locomotives and other rolling stock, including an old Oahu RR business car that they sometimes use. It is very interesting to note that the Navy's 3 foot narrow gauge was extensively used for the construction of Pearl Harbor and the operation of the base which reached its peak after WWII. However the Navy went to using trucks and ceased rail operations in 1972. The Hawaiian Railway Society has what is left of the equipment that stayed on the island.
Agree about the Dole train but the other plantation ride was not they were using a GE 25 Ton diesel though brcause the steamer was in California for repairs.
Before moving to Colorado we rode the Cass. A great trip behind the Shay. Coloado has a wealth of tourist railroads, Georgetown Loop, Durango and Silverton, Cumbres and Toltec being the most famous. I think you have to include the California Zephyr from Grand Junction to Denver. Scenery that challenges any tourist ride.
My wife and I enjoyed the Agawa Canyon Tour, Leaving and returning from Soo Saint Marie Ontario.
5 or 6 hour tour, with scenic stop over, diesel power, restored coaches.
This is right across the river from Soo Saint Marie, Michigan.
Dave
My favorites are the Nevada Northern at Ely NV, with its full shops and direct connections to the past, the East Broad Top in PA, and the Ffestiniog and Vale of Rheidol in Wales. All are run in a professional way and use historic equipment (and historic replicas) on the original sites.
But there are also a lot of lines I haven't ridden yet.
To the OP, why the term "Trap" in the title. Please elaborate.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
If you are in the Chattanooga area, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum offers varied trips. It is right next to the NMRA headquarters building.
tvrail.com
riogrande5761 To the OP, why the term "Trap" in the title. Please elaborate.
Just a hook to get people reading, Rio. Attempted a cute and alliterative play on 'tourist trap' but it ended up coming across more literal than funny.
Two that I really liked, not for the scenery but the equipment we rode behind was the Huckleberry Railroad in Crossroads Village, Michigan. They had a ex-Denver & Rio Grande 2-8-2 "mudhen" #464 and the orginal passenger cars to go with it. All were in excellent condition. Another we just visited was the Mt. Rainier Railroad and logging Museum just south of Mt. Rainier National Park. We rode behind an 2-8-0 tank locomotive to their logging museum which had just about at least one example of every logging locomotive used as well as the logging equipment and tools that went with it. The museum and equipment was in great condition and nicely displayed.
Ralph
Hello all,
I'd say the George Town Loop is a must when in Colorado. Hopefully the oil powered Shay will be running when you visit.
I prefer to park at the Silver Plume facility, with it's museum and maintenance facilities. Arrive early and ask for a tour of the maintenance house.
Take the time to visit the Lebanon mine; which is only accessible from the train. (Hint: don't forget to bring some cash to tip your guide.)
For you mining fans the Argo Gold Mine; just east of George town in Idaho Springs, is another must see attraction.
Don't forget to visit the Tommy Knocker Brewery in Idaho Springs. The bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers are a spicy accompaniment to their brews.
As has been mentioned the Royal Gorge excursion train is also a great trip. Again, not steam driven, but the orange F units are a sight to see. You can upgrade to ride in the cab with the engineer!
The Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad is an often overlooked excursion train. This route begins at over 10,000-feet in the city of Leadville.
Then there is the Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gage Railroad in Cripple Creek. This town is best known for it's limited-stakes gambling; the other is the Central City/Black Hawk area with it's static train displays.
The CC&V is a unique 2-foot narrow gage built in 1967 expressly for excursions. The motive power on this diminutive railroad are coal-fired steam engines with one restored diesel/electric used by the track crew.
At the base of Pike's Peak you will find the little town of Manitou Springs which is beginning of the cog railroad to the top of the famous peak with it's inclined steam locomotive.
Every other year; on our wedding anniversary in January, we drive down to Denver to catch the California Zephyr west to Glenwood Springs.
The train station is a short walk across the foot-bridge, over I-70, from the hot springs & hotel. The town is easily explored on foot with many shops, restaurants and a brewery.
Much of this route is train accessible only. One year, while passing through the Gore Canyon, we spotted 19 bald eagles along with many heards of deer, elk and prong horn.
While in Glenwood don't forget to visit the Hotel Colorado where dignitaries from presidents to ledgends of the old west; Doc Holiday & "The Unsinkable" Molly Brown, stayed.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"