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Steam Train in the USA

Steam Train Tours

Steam locomotives once powered America's trains. Today, most steam engine trains have been converted to diesel or electric power. Still, there remain some scenic train rides that offer this nostalgic mode of travel, such as New England's Essex Steam Train, which follows a course through the pastoral Connecticut River Valley-an exceptionally breathtaking sight during fall foliage season.

Steam train excursions recall a bygone era of travel. Itineraries featuring these heritage railways offer the ideal balance between modern touring and historical journeys. California's Redwood Forest Steam Train employs one of the oldest preserved narrow-gauge steam engines. This scenic train ride shares the history of the Roaring Camp Railroad on its journey through the state's towering redwood groves. Colorado is home to two famous steam train rides: The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, connecting the historic mining towns of Durango and Silverton across the Animas River Canyon and the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, the longest narrow-gauge steam railroad in the United States. The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad operates a steam train excursion along the Tuckasegee River through the western corner of rural North Carolina. In contrast, the Tennessee Valley Railroad's Summerville Steam Special offers a look at the mountains in Southern Tennessee and Northern Georgia.

These steam train trips in the USA showcase some of the country's best-kept secrets: special trains, charming small towns, and fantastic scenery.

10 results matching: Steam Trains

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Worldwide Rail Vacations 2023

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Durango & Silverton Train
Escorted
Save $300 on 2023
4.5 stars(157 reviews)
2023AugSepOct
2024JunJulAugSepOct
8 days from
$2,995 pp
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Mount Rushmore
Escorted
4.4 stars(78 reviews)
2023AugSep
2024JunJulAugSep
11 days from
$4,195 pp
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Bison Herd Moulton Barn Grand Teton National Park
Escorted
4.2 stars(12 reviews)
2023JulAug
2024JunJul
11 days from
$3,595 pp
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11 days from
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Bunches of Ripe Grapes
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4.9 stars(19 reviews)
2023Sep
2024MayJunJulAugSep
8 days from
$3,595 pp
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Tourist Traveling into Balloon Festival
Escorted
4.0 stars(29 reviews)
2023Oct
2024SepOct
9 days from
$2,895 pp
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9 days from
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17 days from
$4,895
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Kancamagus Highway
Escorted
4.0 stars(50 reviews)
2023SepOct
2024SepOct
10 days from
$2,995 pp
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Allegheny Front in West Virginia
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4.4 stars(18 reviews)
2023Oct
2024Oct
9 days from
$3,495 pp
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Smoky Mountain National Park
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4.5 stars(11 reviews)
2023Oct
9 days from
$2,895 pp
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9 days from
$5,495
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Our customers love our Steam Trains tours
Mt. Rushmore, the Badlands, & Yellowstone
01 Jun 2023
MARTIE DONALDSON
5 stars
“The trip was well planned. Our tour manager Mary was fun, knowledgeable, professional, efficient, and Awesome. Alex our bus driver, was also awesome. The scenery was mind blowing and the amount of free time vs tours/excursions was balanced. I would do another tour with Vacations by Rail!!
Collected by Trustpilot
California's Redwoods, Rails & Wineries
22 May 2023
TIMOTHY JAMES STOUT
5 stars
“A good blend of city, railways and nature.
Collected by Trustpilot
Smoky Mountain Rail Adventure
05 Nov 2022
CustomerBDS
5 stars
“Excellent escorted tour. Good balance between free time and scheduled activities. Tour director Joel was very good in attending to all details.
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Autumn at the Greenbrier & Historic Trains
01 Nov 2022
JEANNINE GILBERT
5 stars
“Eric our guide was full of facts presented in an interesting way.Eric was caring and enthusiastic. We would definitely sign up on another trip with him. My husband and I had walked through the memorials two days before yet still learned more on our guided tour. We liked the variety of trains,each different. The Potomac Eagle was our favorite.The dining experience was wonderful. The train, we did not enjoy, was the Cass was the one train we didn’t like.It was open air and unfortunately, the weather was awful, cold and light snow. Very uncomfortable. The Hobo lunch was unappetizing,with stale buns.The historic steam engine was what we liked about it..This was our first time in West Virginia, the scenery was beautiful and the history interesting.We liked the way Eric recommended restaurants in walking distance for each evening, The Greenbrier Inn was was very interesting in a beautiful location. We enjoyed learning about the history and seeing all the extravagant chandeliers. The formal dining was fun and a chance to get to know new friends better. Rick our driver was skilled and personable. The whole experience was a 5.
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First Class Colorado Rail Adventure featuring Rocky Mountaineer
05 Oct 2022
ALFRED
5 stars
“Great time
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Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta by Rail
15 Nov 2022
DENNIS BRYAN BREEDEN
4 stars
“I enjoyed it very much. We learned that even if a roomette on the train is extra we would have slept better and would be worth the money. Enjoyed all the stops and Sheryl was very informative. Wish we could have stayed at the stops a bit longer but we did have a lot of ground to cover. Albuquerque was WONDERFUL! Wish we would have had more time there. But one thing we learned. Getting in the festival by bus is the only way to go. Thank you.
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Colorado Rail Experience
05 Nov 2022
JOANNE VIESSELMANN
4 stars
“Throughly enjoyed the adventure.
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Fall Colors, Scenic Trains & Martha's Vineyard
27 Oct 2022
DIANNE WILSON
4 stars
“Fall color at its peak. Beautiful.
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Best of the Western Parks
12 Sep 2022
KAREN NUSSBAUM
4 stars
“Great trip we plan on another trip next year
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