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.