The following list of passenger rail transportation, tourist railroads and railroad museums in the Washington, D.C. area is provided as a service (you may print it for personal use) for those requesting this information from the Washington, D.C. Chapter, National Railway Historical Society, and does not constitute an endorsement. Individuals using this list should contact each operation for details on directions, current operating schedules, and fares, which may vary depending on day of week and season of year. The Washington, D.C. Chapter, National Railway Historical Society assumes no liability for the accuracy of the information provided; readers and users of this list are asked to forward corrections or suggestions for additions to the Chapter via e-mail using the form provided under the Contact Us link on this chapter website. Trains Magazine publishes a directory of railroad attractions throughout the United States and Canada for those who are traveling further afield. MARC (Commuter Trains to Maryland and West Virginia): 1-800-325-RAIL Virginia Railway Express (Commuter Trains to Virginia): 1-800-RIDE-VRE METRO - WMATA (Washington, D.C. Area Mass Transit) : 202-637-7000 With even a little more work and money, you can plan a day trip (or multi-day trip) to cities such as New York, Charlottesville, Virginia, or Richmond aboard Amtrak: Amtrak: 1-800-USA-RAIL
Amtrak
serves over 500 cities nationwide. Frequent and fast Northeast Corridor Service
to cities to the north such as Wilmington, Philadelphia, New York, and Boston
via electrified Acela Express(premium fare) and Northeast Regional trains.
Regular Northeast Corridor Service to cities to the south such as
Charlottesville, Richmond, Williamsburg, Lynchburg, and Norfolk. Long distance service to the south and west. Autotrain
from Lorton, Virginia to Sanford, Florida. Guest Rewards for frequent
travelers. Amtrak trains can be boarded at several suburban stations in Maryland
and Virginia in addition to Washington Union Station. Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site 110 Federal Park Road Gallitzin, PA 16641 814-886-6150 Site of the portage railroad built for the Pennsylvania Main Line Canal, to cross the Allegheny Mountains. Historical interpretative displays, and talks. B&O Railroad Museum 901 W. Pratt Street Baltimore, Maryland 21223-2699 410-752-2490 World renowned collection of historic railroad equipment related to the building of the nation's first railroad, and housed in the B&O's historic Mt. Clare Shops. One mile train ride over the "First Mile" also offered. B&O Railroad Museum Ellicott City Station 2711 Maryland Ave Ellicott City, Maryland 21043 410-461-1945 www.borail.org/Ellicott-City-Station.aspx Avenue Oldest surviving railroad station in America and the original terminus of the first 13 miles of commercial railroad in the country. Housed in the freight house is a 40-foot HO-gauge model train layout showing the original thirteen miles of commercial rail track stretching from Baltimore to Ellicott Mills.
Operates vintage Baltimore Streetcars. Black River and Western RR. P.O. Box 200 Ringoes, New Jersey 08551 201-782-9600 Steam and diesel passenger train rides between the Liberty Village Outlet Center in Flemington, NJ, Ringoes, and Lambertville, NJ. Brunswick Railroad Museum 40 W. Potomac Street Brunswick, Maryland 21716 301-834-7100 Collections include railroad memorabilia, artifacts and models documenting the town's history which was intertwined with its major employer, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Cass Scenic Railroad P.O. Box 107 Cass, West Virginia 24927 1-800-CALL-WVA or 304-456-4300 Steam logging railroad to the top of Spruce Knob; uses gear driven Shay steam locomotives over steep mountain grades. East Broad Top Railroad Rockhill Furnace, PA 17249 814-447-3011 Steam locomotive hauled passenger trains through the Aughwick Valley; the last surviving narrow gauge railroad east of the Mississippi River. Shade Gap Electric Railway adjoins. Gettysburg Railroad 106 N. Washington Street Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325 717-334-6932 Sixteen mile and fifty mile rail excursions and dinner trains with steam or diesel power. Hagerstown Museum P.O. Box 2858 300 S. Burhans Boulevard Hagerstown, Maryland 21741-2858 301-739-4665 Displays of railroad memorobilia, photographs, tools, model railroads and gift shop. Horseshoe Curve National Historic Site Altoona, Pennsylvania Park and visitor's center for the world famous "Horseshoe Curve" which allowed the Pennsylvania RR. to conquer the summit of the Allegheny Mountains; still in active main line use by over fifty Conrail trains each day. Laurel Highlands Railroad P.O. Box 70 Belpre, OH 45714 412-626-8330 Various one hour diesel train rides along ex-B and O and ex-PRR trackage near Scottdale, Pennsylvania. Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad 136 Brown Street Middletown, Pennsylvania 17507 717-944-4435 Diesel train ride along Swatara Creek from Middletown to Indian Echo Caverns. National Capital Trolley Museum P.O. Box 4007/Colesville Branch Wheaton Regional Park Bonifant Road Wheaton, Maryland 20904 301-384-6088 Operates vintage Washington and international trolleys and streetcars. New
Hope & Ivyland Railroad
Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad Wappocomo
Station Narrated 3-hour diesel rail
excursions along the South Branch Trough of the Potomac River. Noted for
sightings of bald eagles during ride.
Occasional all day trips are also offeredl.
Large display of restored historic railroad equipment with emphasis on Pennsylvania railroads. Across the road from the Strasburg Railroad.
Collections including rolling stock documenting the history of the Pennsylvania RR. shops in Altoona. Permanent home of the official state steam locomotive of Pennsylvania, K-4 #1361.
Operates collection of restored trolleys over two mile line; adjacent to East Broad Top Railroad.
Diesel rail passenger trips.
Location:301 Gap Road (Route 741) Steam locomotives pulling vintage wooden passenger cars for 45 minute ride from Strasburg to Paradise, Pa. through the heart of the Pennsylvania's Amish Country.
Collections of railroad rolling stock including the N&W J class #611 which was part of the Norfolk Southern steam excursion program.
Steam and diesel rail trips.
Diesel rail trips on a portion of a six mile line to Frederick, Maryland.
Museum houses displays of artifacts and memorabilia related to the Western Maryland Railway.
Standard excursion is a round trip from Cumberland to Frostburg, MD, pulled by a 1916 Baldwin 2-8-0 steam locomotive or a restored diesel engine. Special programs are also offered periodically.
Steam and diesel rail excursions. |
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