You never forget your first ride on steam-driven historic train. From Alaska to North Carolina, all across North America, heritage railroads take passengers back in time, to a simpler era, when coal-fired steam engines drove trains over narrow-gauge lines up and over some of the most rugged-and spectacular landscapes in the country.
The editors of True West tip their engineer's caps to the owners and preservationists who work so hard throughout the year to provide extraordinary experiences on their heritage trains for tourists of all generations from around the world. We recommend the following 12 historic railroads to ride and experience the Old West firsthand.
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
Durango and Silverton, Colorado
Durango is a four-season destination. Since 1959 the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad has operated as a tourist train from May to October, with limited special trains in the winter and spring. The railroad makes it easy to customize an experience with different travel packages, including the adventurous Discover Silverton Package and always popular Polar Express. When in Durango, enjoy the historic downtown district with its great variety of hotels, restaurants, pubs and specialty shops.
The Grand Canyon Railway
Williams, Arizona
On September 17, 1901, the Santa Fe Railway launched the 64-mile Grand Canyon Railway from Williams to the Grand Canyon, and it was a favorite line on the AT&SF system until 1968. Passenger service restarted in 1989 as the Grand Canyon Railway, with daily service to and from the national park, plus special packages and train events, such as Steam Saturdays the first Saturday, May through October; the Pumpkin Patch Train, every weekend in October; and the Polar Express, November to January.
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
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Where Did the Loot Go? - This is one of those find the money stories. And it's one that has attracted treasure hunters for more than 150 years.
Whatever happened to the $97,000 from the Reno Gang's last heist? Up to a dozen members of the Reno Gang stopped a Jeffersonville, Madison and Indianapolis train at a watering station in southern Indiana. The outlaws had prior intelligence about its main load: express car safes held about $97,000 in government bonds and notes. In the process of the job, one of the crew was killed and two others hurt. The gang made a clean getaway with the loot.
Hero of Horsepower - Los Angeles lawman William Hammel tamed one of the West's wildest towns with hard work and horseless carriages.
Los Angeles lawman William Hammel tamed one of the West's wildest towns with hard work and horseless carriages.
From the Basin to the Plains
Discover Wyoming on a road trip to Cody, Casper and Cheyenne.
COLLECTING AMERICAN OUTLAWS
Wilbur Zink has preserved the Younger Gang's history in more ways than one.
Spencer's West
After the Civil War, savvy frontiersmen chose the Spencer repeating carbine.
Firearms With a Storied Past
Rock Island gavels off high profits from historic firearms.
She Means Business!
An energetic and ambitious woman has come to Lincoln, New Mexico, to restore the town's legendary Ellis Store.
Ride that Train!
HERITAGE RAILROADS KEEP THE OLD WEST ALIVE ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.
Saddle Up with a Western
Old West fiction and nonfiction are the perfect genres to fill your summer reading list.
RENEGADES OF THE RAILS
RAILROADS WERE OPEN SEASON FOR OKLAHOMA AND INDIAN TERRITORY OUTLAW GANGS.
