Scenic Railroads in New Hampshire

With 7 scenic and heritage railroads in operation, New Hampshire ranks among the better rail-touring destinations in the country. The variety is real: you'll find diesel, steam & diesel, cog railway, and diesel railcar, spanning everything from intimate family loops to full-day mountain excursions. Ride lengths run from 30 min to 3 hrs, meaning you can find a comfortable fit regardless of how much time you have.

The standout ride in New Hampshire is the Mount Washington Cog Railway, based in Bretton Woods. A cog railway excursion, it takes passengers a steep rack-and-pinion climb up the side of Mount Washington to the summit, with vast White Mountain views. The journey lasts approximately 3 hours. It operates Year-round; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. Tickets are $72-$99. It is the single best introduction to New Hampshire's rail scene and should be the first booking on any itinerary.

Fall is the premier season for rail touring in New Hampshire. 5 of the 7 lines run foliage specials or highlight autumn color in their marketing — and for good reason. Leaf-peeping excursion seats on steam trains routinely sell out weeks or even months ahead; if fall is your target window, treat ticket purchases as part of your route planning, not an afterthought.

The breadth of experience across New Hampshire's excursion lines is a genuine draw for rail enthusiasts. Among the 7 operations you'll find 2 steam-hauled excursions and 1 cog railway — a depth of heritage not assembled in most states. Steam trains in particular command a devoted following. The smell of coal smoke, the rhythmic exhaust note, and the sheer mechanical spectacle of a working steam locomotive are experiences that a diesel engine, however historic, simply cannot replicate.