Best Train Ride (2022)

The historic Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad once hauled silver and gold between these two Colorado towns. Today, visitors can hop aboard for this seven-hour roundtrip journey through some of Colorado's most impressive scenery, with a stop in Silverton to explore the historic mining town.
Photo courtesy of iStock / miroslav_1

One of the most authentic steam-operated railroads in existence, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad runs for 64 miles between Chama, New Mexico and Antonito, Colorado, passing through the San Juan Mountains and the scenic Conejos Valley along the way. This moving National Historic Landmark represents one of New Mexico's most spectacular day trips.
Photo courtesy of Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad

Passengers riding the Colebrookdale Railroad board a restored century-old railcar for a two-hour journey into Pennsylvania’s Secret Valley. An open car offers near 360-degree views of the passing scenery, while the first-class parlor car, called Storm King, offers drinks and snacks to the sounds of piano music.
Photo courtesy of Colebrookdale Railroad

The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad is one of the best ways to explore Cuyahoga Valley National Park located in Northeast Ohio. The train travels north-south between Independence and Akron, with stops for both pedestrian and bike passengers. In addition to scenic rides through the park, the train also hosts evening excursions (Ales on Rails, Cocktails on Rails or Grape Escapes) as well as a Murder Mystery Train.
Photo courtesy of Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

Passengers aboard the Mount Washington Cog Railway in New Hampshire enjoy a 3-hour tour to the highest peak in the Northeast, 6,288-foot Mount Washington. The first cog-driven train made the climb on July 3, 1869, and today – 150 years later – the Mount Washington Cog Railway is a National Historic Engineering Landmark.
Photo courtesy of © Mount Washington Cog Railway

Tucked into the scenic mountains of West Virginia lies the Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, where visitors can take a step back in time aboard a steam-driven locomotive once used to haul lumber. Trips depart from the town of Cass and take visitors to Whittaker Station (2 hours round trip) or all the way to Bald Knob (4.5 hours round trip).
Photo courtesy of Walter Scriptunas II | Cass Scenic Railroad

Completed in 1884, Colorado's historic narrow-gauge Georgetown Loop now operates a mix of diesel and steam engines from Georgetown to Silver Plume. The 75-minute round trip route starts at an elevation of 8,530 feet and climbs over 600 feet with horseshoe curves, 4% grades, and bridges as high as 95 feet over Clear Creek. Passengers can ride in box cars with bench seating that is open in the summer or fully enclosed parlor cars. Optional silver mine guided walking tours during the summer take visitors deep into Leavenworth Mountain for a glimpse of working in a 19th Century mine.
Photo courtesy of Anze Furlan / psgtproductions // Getty Images

Founded in 1832, the historic Strasburg Rail Road didn’t become a tourist railroad until 1958. Today, passengers continue to board the train for a chance to soak up the views of Pennsylvania’s scenic Lancaster County.
Photo courtesy of Strasburg Rail Road

The Rocky Mountaineer Train has its home station in Vancouver, British Columbia, and runs from mid-April to mid-October. So that passengers may fully experience the views and photo opportunities through the glass-dome coaches and windows, the train's speed averages only 30mph. Three Canadian trip options and one American Southwest route are available.
Photo courtesy of Rocky Mountaineer

The Pikes Peak Cog Railway is the highest railway in America (and the world's highest cog train) reaching a height of 14,115 feet above sea level.
This 9-mile journey takes passengers to the top of Pikes Peak, traveling along Ruxton Creek, past Minnehaha and through Deer Park along the way.
Photo courtesy of The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway