New England excursion trains have dining cars and foliage viewing

New England > All New England > Sightseeing > Excursion Trains

Excursion trains provide a round-trip sightseeing experience. Explore New England’s mountains, fall foliage, river valleys and wildlife from the comfort of an old-time train with full amenities. Seasonal train excursions celebrate fall foliage, Halloween, and the holidays. These family-friendly trips through scenic, historic routes offer a variety of seating and dining options, special events for kids, and a vintage journey through nature’s beauty.

Excursion Trains in New England - Green Mountain Railroad

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

One Railroad Avenue Essex, CT, 06426 Phone: 860-767-0103 Toll-Free: 800-377-3987

Travel back in time aboard vintage train coaches pulled by steam locomotives

You will step back in time as soon as you arrive at the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat’s 1892 Essex Station. Check out the vintage steam and diesel locomotives and coaches, then board vintage coaches pulled by steam locomotives through classic New England towns, past parks, coves and tidal wetlands, the natural habitat for swans, geese and heron. The 12-mile narrated round trip is an hour long, or 2 1/2 hours if you combine it with a cruise aboard the riverboat Becky Thatcher. Special train excursions include the romantic, elegant Essex Clipper Dinner Train, the Wine & Chocolate Dinner Train and the Murder Mystery Train. Thomas the Tank Engine makes appearances in May and June. Please check our website for current train & riverboat schedules.

Scenic RailRiders

188 Sewalls Falls Road Concord, NH, 03301 Phone: 603-931-1700

Pedal along scenic riverside tracks in a custom-made bike for adventurers of all ages

When you take a trip with with Scenic RailRiders along their exclusive tracks from Concord to Boscawen, N.H., you are the train! Comfortably seated in a two- or four-person custom-made Rail-Bike, you’ll pedal along 6.4 miles of tracks at a leisurely pace, admiring the riverside scenery, woods and farmland. There are places to rest along the way and admire the scenery, and two guides provide historical information. No steering is needed; the bikes roll easily along the abandoned tracks. There are seatbelts, handle bars to rest your hands on and redundant disc brakes for additional safety. Kids of all ages are welcome. If they can’t reach the pedals (by age 5, most kids can), they will sit back and enjoy the ride while Mom and Dad pedal!

Railroad Museum of New England

242 East Main Street Thomaston, CT, 06787 Phone: 860-283-7245

Treat yourself to a themed or scenic tour aboard a vintage steam or diesel train

Excursions aboard the vintage trains at the Railroad Museum of New England are a true treat. In the winter, take the daytime Santa Express or evening Northern Lights Limited to meet with Santa and sing with elves. In the spring, there’s the Easter Bunny Express; in the fall, the Autumn Colors Limited follows the river past the bright colors of Litchfield Hills. Summer means visiting and dining in Torrington via the Torrington Twilight Express. Other excursions include visiting Fascia’s Chocolate Company as part of the Chocolate Decadence Tour, picking pumpkins as part of the Pumpkin Patch train; and spirit-sipping trips. In December, the North by Northwest Express includes a screening of the Hitchcock movie and a trip aboard the famous 20th Century Limited train featured in the film.

Conway Scenic Railroad

38 Norcross Circle North Conway, NH, 03860 Phone: 603-356-5251 Toll-Free: 800-232-5251

Four fun excursions offer a variety of scenic rambles and rides along heritage railroad lines

At Conway Scenic Railroad, they have just one question: What’s your pleasure? Is it a ramble to Sawyer River, crossing over bridges with picturesque river views? Is it a supremely scenic journey through the Mt. Washington Valley over rugged Crawford Notch, perhaps in vintage seats under a glass-topped dome? Maybe it’s a short 55-minute round trip from the Victorian station at North Conway to Conway in vintage passenger cars from the 1920s. Or, in January and February, perhaps it’s the Snow Train to Attitash to get in a little skiing or skating. Customers rave about the beautiful scenery and informative commentary – and the pleasure of feeling you are traveling back in time. You can buy light snacks and beverages at the station to bring onboard.

Take a Ride through Time at the Railroad Museum of New England - Thomaston, CT

Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train

3 Crossing at Riverplace North Woodstock, NH, 03262 Phone: 603-745-3500

Travel by rail back to a more romantic, relaxing era as you dine on exceptional cuisine

Board the Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train and you will find yourself time-traveling into the past. As you sit at elegant tables in the lovingly restored vintage rail cars, you’ll enjoy unique views of the Pemigewasset River Valley. The two-hour, 20-mile round trip from the North Woodstock station takes you through woods, over three trestle bridges, through the “jack-o-lantern” golf course and Christmas tree farm. But it’s not just the scenery that’s spectacular: You’ll be enjoying the seasonal offerings of a five-course gourmet dinner, from delectable appetizers through to fresh-made dessert confections, as the train rolls gently through the valley. Period music and exemplary service will help take you back to a more romantic, relaxing time.

Winter Station View - Cog Railway - Mount Washington, NH

Mount Washington Cog Railway

Off Route 302 Bretton Woods, NH, 03589 Phone: 603-278-5404 Toll-Free: 800-922-8825

You’ll learn a little history and take some amazing pictures when you travel this cog railroad

When you hear the deep hum of a biodiesel engine or see a blast of smoke from a steam engine, you’ll know your trip up Mt. Washington aboard the historic Cog Railway is about to begin. Knowledgeable and entertaining engineers and brakemen and brakewomen will answer questions as you chug up the Northeast’s highest peak, passing through forests, by wildlife and ravines and through three climate zones until you reach the summit. Included in the thrilling ride is Jacob’s Ladder, the steepest railroad trestle in the world. A museum at the base station and a visitor center at the summit provide history about the 152-year-old railway, the first mountain-climbing cog railway in the world, as well as an interactive weather exhibit. Trains run from late April through November.

New England excursion trains have dining cars and foliage viewing

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

Scenic RailRiders

Railroad Museum of New England

Conway Scenic Railroad

Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train

Mount Washington Cog Railway

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