12 Pennsylvania Train Rides That Turn Travel Into A Sightseeing Experience
Pennsylvania offers some of the most beautiful train rides in America, where every journey becomes an adventure filled with stunning views.
From rolling mountains to historic valleys, these scenic railways let you sit back and enjoy landscapes that change with every mile.
Whether you’re looking for a peaceful escape or an exciting family outing, train rides across Pennsylvania deliver unforgettable memories and breathtaking sights that you simply can’t see from the highway.
1. Strasburg Rail Road
If you’ve ever dreamed of riding a real steam train, Strasburg Rail Road makes that dream come true in the heart of Amish Country. Operating since 1832, this railway is America’s oldest continuously running railroad, and every ride feels like stepping back in time. You’ll travel through peaceful farmland where horse-drawn buggies share the roads and traditional barns dot the landscape.
The 45-minute round trip takes you past cornfields, pastures, and charming homesteads that look exactly as they did generations ago. Kids absolutely love watching the steam engine puff and whistle while parents appreciate the slower pace and gorgeous countryside views.
I recommend booking the open-air car during warmer months for the best photo opportunities and fresh air experience.
2. Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway
When fall colors explode across the Pocono Mountains, there’s no better seat than aboard the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway. This 16-mile journey follows the Lehigh River through a spectacular gorge where towering rock walls rise on both sides and waterfalls cascade down moss-covered cliffs.
Nature surrounds you completely as the train winds through forests that burst with reds, oranges, and golds during autumn.
The narrated ride teaches you about the area’s coal mining history and the wildlife that calls this gorge home. You might spot deer, eagles, or even black bears along the riverbanks if you’re lucky. Summer trips offer lush greenery while winter transforms the landscape into a snowy wonderland that feels absolutely magical.
3. East Broad Top Railroad
Did you know that East Broad Top Railroad is one of only two remaining narrow-gauge railroads east of the Mississippi? This authentic piece of American history takes you on a journey through the Broad Top Mountains, where coal mining once thrived and shaped entire communities.
The vintage coaches sway gently as the narrow tracks wind through forests and past abandoned mining towns that whisper stories of the past. Your 10-mile round trip from Orbisonia to Colgate Grove showcases mountain scenery that changes dramatically with each season.
The railway preserves original equipment from the early 1900s, making every detail historically accurate and fascinating. History buffs and train enthusiasts find this experience particularly rewarding because everything feels genuinely preserved rather than recreated.
4. Tioga Central Railroad
Are you ready to explore the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon from a completely unique perspective? Tioga Central Railroad offers exactly that with routes through some of the state’s most dramatic terrain in north-central Pennsylvania.
The train follows old logging routes through dense forests where sunlight filters through towering trees and creates patterns on the forest floor below. Several different excursions are available, including dinner trains and special event rides that add extra fun to your sightseeing adventure.
The 24-mile journey showcases deep valleys, rushing streams, and wildlife habitats that remain largely untouched by modern development. It’s a peaceful escape where cell phones lose signal and nature takes center stage, reminding you what truly matters in life.
5. Oil Creek and Titusville Railroad
How did America’s first oil boom change history forever? You’ll discover the answer aboard the Oil Creek and Titusville Railroad, which travels through the valley where petroleum was first drilled commercially in 1859. This 27-mile round trip follows Oil Creek through forests and past historic sites where fortunes were made and lost overnight during the wild oil rush days.
The narrated journey explains how this quiet valley became the birthplace of the modern petroleum industry and transformed the entire world.
You’ll see remnants of old oil derricks, historic towns, and beautiful natural scenery that has reclaimed much of the land. Fall foliage trips are especially popular when the valley blazes with color and photographers can’t stop snapping pictures.
6. New Hope and Ivyland Railroad
Though New Hope is famous for its artsy downtown and river views, the New Hope and Ivyland Railroad adds another dimension to your visit with vintage train rides through beautiful Bucks County. Steam and diesel locomotives pull restored coaches through rolling countryside where stone farmhouses, covered bridges, and quaint villages create picture-perfect scenes.
The 14-mile journey feels like traveling through a painting where every frame deserves to be captured. Special themed rides throughout the year include dinner trains, wine tastings, and holiday experiences that make celebrations extra memorable.
Kids wave at people in their backyards while adults appreciate the craftsmanship of the restored 1920s coaches. I suggest combining your train ride with exploring New Hope’s galleries and restaurants for a full day of Bucks County charm.
7. Middletown and Hummelstown Railroad
It’s hard to resist the charm of a train ride that starts near Hershey, the sweetest place on earth, and travels through peaceful Pennsylvania farmland. Middletown and Hummelstown Railroad operates vintage equipment along an 11-mile route that showcases the rural beauty surrounding the famous chocolate town.
The journey takes you past working farms, through wooded areas, and along Swatara Creek where herons and ducks often make appearances. Family-friendly themed rides include visits from storybook characters, holiday specials, and educational trips that teach kids about railroad history and local wildlife.
The relaxed pace lets you actually see details in the landscape rather than watching everything blur past. After your ride, Hershey’s attractions are just minutes away, making this an easy addition to any chocolate-themed vacation.
8. Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site
Where engineering genius met mountain challenges, the Allegheny Portage Railroad created history as part of the Pennsylvania Main Line Canal system. Though you can’t ride an operating train here today, this National Historic Site offers fascinating exhibits and a historic engine house where you can explore how trains conquered the Allegheny Mountains in the 1830s.
Walking trails follow the original inclined planes where railroad cars were pulled up steep mountain slopes using innovative cable systems. The visitor center displays models and artifacts that explain this engineering marvel that connected Philadelphia to Pittsburgh before modern railways existed.
Interpretive programs bring history alive as rangers explain how this transportation breakthrough changed commerce forever. Mountain views from the site are spectacular and help you appreciate the enormous challenge engineers faced creating this route.
9. Bellefonte Historical Railroad
Are rolling hills and peaceful valleys your idea of perfect scenery? Bellefonte Historical Railroad delivers exactly that with rides through central Pennsylvania’s beautiful countryside aboard vintage coaches pulled by historic locomotives. The railway follows the Bald Eagle Valley where farms spread across gentle slopes and small communities preserve their rural character. Your journey showcases landscapes that remain largely unchanged from decades past.
Special event trains throughout the year add variety to regular scenic excursions, including fall foliage trips and holiday-themed rides that families treasure. The volunteer-run operation maintains authentic equipment and shares knowledge about railroading history with genuine enthusiasm.
I appreciate how this railroad preserves both the machines and the memories of Pennsylvania’s transportation heritage while providing affordable family entertainment in a gorgeous natural setting.
10. Wanamaker, Kempton and Southern Railroad
If smaller heritage railroads capture your heart, the Wanamaker, Kempton and Southern Railroad offers an intimate experience through Berks County’s beautiful countryside. This volunteer-operated railway runs vintage steam and diesel locomotives along six miles of track through farmland, forests, and past a historic covered bridge that photographers absolutely adore.
The relaxed atmosphere feels like visiting friends who happen to own a railroad. Operating on select weekends from May through October, the railway offers both standard excursions and special event rides including fall foliage trips and holiday trains.
Volunteers share their passion for railroad preservation while you enjoy scenery that represents classic rural Pennsylvania at its finest. The affordable ticket prices and friendly staff make this railroad particularly welcoming for families introducing children to the joy of train travel.
11. Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine and Steam Train
How about combining a coal mine tour with a scenic steam train ride? Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine and Steam Train in Ashland offers both experiences, giving you complete insight into Pennsylvania’s coal mining heritage. The narrow-gauge steam train circles Mahanoy Mountain on the original route miners used, providing spectacular views of the surrounding valleys and towns below.
You’ll see why this region became so important to America’s industrial development. The authentic mining equipment and knowledgeable guides make history feel immediate and real rather than distant and abstract.
After touring the actual mine tunnel where miners once worked, the outdoor train ride offers fresh air and sunshine along with those amazing mountain views. It’s educational without being boring, making it perfect for families who want learning mixed with adventure.
12. Steamtown National Historic Site
When you want to see railroad history on a grand scale, Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton delivers an impressive collection of locomotives and equipment spanning decades of American railroading.
The National Park Service operates this facility where massive steam engines stand ready to tell their stories, and seasonal excursion trains let you experience actual steam-powered travel through the Pocono Mountains. The roundhouse alone contains enough railroad treasures to fascinate visitors for hours.
Excursion trains run on select dates, offering rides through scenic valleys where railroading shaped entire communities and industries. Interactive exhibits explain how steam locomotives work, what life was like for railroad workers, and why trains were so crucial to American development. I recommend spending several hours here because there’s simply too much to see in a quick visit.
