Ride that Train!

HERITAGE RAILROADS KEEP THE OLD WEST ALIVE ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

- STUART ROSEBROOK

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