Scenic Railroads in Pennsylvania
Routes, seasons, tickets, and trip tips — everything in one place.
Pennsylvania is arguably the spiritual home of American railroading, and its 27 scenic lines reflect that heritage more deeply than any other state. This guide covers all of them — from the country's oldest operating railroad to coal-region heritage lines and Amish-country steam trains.
The anchor is the Strasburg Rail Road in Lancaster — founded in 1832, it's the oldest continuously operating railroad in the United States, running authentic steam through the heart of Amish farm country (and a frequent host of Day Out With Thomas). Nearby, the Northern Central Railway runs an 1860s-replica steam experience, and across the state you'll find everything from the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway through state-park river canyons to restored anthracite-region lines.
Pennsylvania's railroads run a long season, but fall is the standout — the state's hardwood forests make for some of the best foliage train rides in the East — followed by an exceptionally busy Polar Express season in December. Lancaster in particular doubles as a full family-trip destination, with railroad museums, train-themed lodging, and Amish tours surrounding the tracks. Every line is listed below with the details you actually need to plan.
All 27 Scenic Railroads in Pennsylvania
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🚂Allentown and Auburn Railroad›
An 8-mile round trip through the Berks County countryside between Kutztown and Topton, sometimes pausing at a picnic grove.
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Bellefonte Historical Railroad›Self-propelled rail diesel cars carry passengers through the rolling hills and valleys of central Pennsylvania to destinations like Lemont and Tyrone.
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Colebrookdale Railroad›Restored century-old rail cars travel a secluded valley line out of Boyertown, branded as the Secret Valley Line.
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Duquesne Incline›A historic 1877 funicular carries riders up Mount Washington offering panoramic views over downtown Pittsburgh and its rivers.
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East Broad Top Railroad›An authentic three-foot narrow-gauge steam train runs north from Orbisonia Station through the Aughwick Valley with views of the historic shops and roundhouse.
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🚂Electric City Trolley Museum›
Restored early-1900s trolleys depart from Steamtown's platform for a scenic ride through Scranton, including a trip toward the Anthracite Heritage Museum.
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Everett Railroad›Steam- and diesel-powered excursions wind through Blair County's Morrison's Cove and central Pennsylvania farmland from a Hollidaysburg base.
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Johnstown Inclined Plane›Built after the 1889 flood, the world's steepest vehicular funicular climbs Yoder Hill above Johnstown with sweeping valley views.
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Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway›Vintage coaches pulled by diesel engines follow the Lehigh River through Lehigh Gorge State Park past cliffs, bridges and Glen Onoko.
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🚂Maryland & Pennsylvania Railroad Preservation Society (Ma & Pa)›
Work-gang cars carry passengers on a short ride along the final segment of the historic Ma & Pa line at Muddy Creek Forks.
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Middletown and Hummelstown Railroad›Vintage 1920s coaches travel an 11-mile round trip beside Swatara Creek departing from the 1891 Middletown station.
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Monongahela Incline›Pittsburgh's oldest surviving funicular, dating to 1870, carries riders up Mount Washington with views of the city and rivers.
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🚂New Hope Railroad›
A narrated train led by a 1925 Baldwin steam locomotive rolls through the rolling hills, farms and woodlands of Bucks County from New Hope's Witch's Hat station.
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🚂Northern Central Railway of York (Steam Into History)›
A reproduction 1860s 4-4-0 steam locomotive hauls passengers over 10 miles of historic track between New Freedom and Hanover Junction.
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Oil Creek and Titusville Railroad›A 27-mile round trip from Titusville's Perry Street Station through the Oil Creek valley, the birthplace of the oil industry, in 1930 Pullman cars.
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Pennsylvania Trolley Museum›A trolley museum where admission includes a 4-mile scenic streetcar ride aboard restored vintage trolleys.
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Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine & Steam Train›A 1920s narrow-gauge steam locomotive named Henry Clay takes riders on a three-quarter-mile loop around Mahanoy Mountain, alongside an underground coal mine tour.
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Railroaders Memorial Museum (Horseshoe Curve)›A railroad heritage museum in Altoona paired with the World Famous Horseshoe Curve National Historic Landmark, where a funicular carries visitors to the trackside viewing area.
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Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad›Excursions travel through the Lehigh Gorge and along scenic Pennsylvania routes, with trips to Jim Thorpe and Pottsville and fall foliage runs behind T-1 steam locomotive No. 2102.
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🚂Rockhill Trolley Museum (Railways to Yesterday)›
Restored vintage trolleys carry riders along a short line through the historic Rockhill Furnace area, with carbarn and shop tours included.
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🚂Steamtown National Historic Site›
Excursions from the Scranton rail yard range from short ranger-narrated yard rides to longer trips through the Lackawanna Valley and Pocono region.
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🚂Stewartstown Railroad›
One of the oldest common-carrier railroads runs short coach and caboose rides plus longer motorcar trips over its 7.4-mile line in southern York County.
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🚂Strasburg Rail Road›
A historic steam locomotive pulls a fully narrated round trip through Lancaster County Amish farmland and countryside.
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🚂The Stourbridge Line›
Vintage coaches roll through the northern Poconos along the scenic Lackawaxen River valley from Honesdale.
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🚂Wanamaker, Kempton and Southern Railroad›
A short round trip between Kempton and Wanamaker passes forests, streams, tree-covered hills, bridges and two old-time villages.
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🚂West Chester Railroad›
A 90-minute round trip runs over former Pennsylvania Railroad track between West Chester and the village of Glen Mills.
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Williams Grove Historical Steam Engine Association›A full-size steam railroad carries riders in open-air cars on a one-mile loop around the historical association's show grounds.
Compare Pennsylvania Scenic Railroads
Scroll right on mobile. Click any railroad name for the full route details.
| Railroad | Location | Train type | Typical duration | Price range | Reservations | Dog-friendly |
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| Allentown and Auburn Railroad | Kutztown | Diesel | — | $18+ | See website | — |
| Bellefonte Historical Railroad | Bellefonte | Diesel | 1.8 hours | — | See website | No |
| Colebrookdale Railroad | Boyertown | Diesel | 2 hours | $25-$125 | See website | No |
| Duquesne Incline | Pittsburgh | Funicular/incline | 10 minutes | $2.50-$5 | Not required | Yes |
| East Broad Top Railroad | Rockhill Furnace | Narrow gauge steam | — | $20-$26 | See website | No |
| Electric City Trolley Museum | Scranton | Heritage trolley/streetcar | 45 minutes | $10-$12 | Required | — |
| Everett Railroad | Hollidaysburg | Steam & diesel | — | $18-$40 | Not required | — |
| Johnstown Inclined Plane | Johnstown | Funicular/incline | 30 minutes | $3-$5 | See website | Yes |
| Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway | Jim Thorpe | Diesel | 1.2 hours | $22-$24 | See website | Yes |
| Maryland & Pennsylvania Railroad Preservation Society (Ma & Pa) | Airville | Diesel | 45 minutes | $15-$18 | Required | — |
| Middletown and Hummelstown Railroad | Middletown | Diesel | 1.3 hours | $20-$23 | Required | No |
| Monongahela Incline | Pittsburgh | Funicular/incline | 2 minutes | $2.50-$3.50 | Not required | Yes |
| New Hope Railroad | New Hope | Steam & diesel | 1.1 hours | around $20 standard coach, higher for premium/special trains | See website | No |
| Northern Central Railway of York (Steam Into History) | New Freedom | Steam & diesel | 2.3 hours | $30-$52 depending on car and locomotive | See website | — |
| Oil Creek and Titusville Railroad | Titusville | Diesel | 3 hours | $20 adult (regular ride) | Not required | Yes |
| Pennsylvania Trolley Museum | Washington | Heritage trolley/streetcar | — | $15-$20 | Not required | No |
| Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine & Steam Train | Ashland | Narrow gauge steam | 38 minutes | steam train ~$10 adult; combo with mine ~$20 | Not required | No |
| Railroaders Memorial Museum (Horseshoe Curve) | Altoona | Steam & diesel | — | $15-$18 | Not required | No |
| Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad | Port Clinton | Steam & diesel | 4 hours | $39 all-day diesel; steam/special from $49-$125 | See website | Yes |
| Rockhill Trolley Museum (Railways to Yesterday) | Rockhill Furnace | Heritage trolley/streetcar | 40 minutes | $12 adult (children $10) | Not required | No |
| Steamtown National Historic Site | Scranton | Steam & diesel | 30 minutes | short rides $6; longer excursions $34 adult | Required | No |
| Stewartstown Railroad | Stewartstown | Diesel | 30 minutes | around $14 adult standard excursion | See website | — |
| Strasburg Rail Road | Ronks | Steam | 45 minutes | $24-$35 | See website | No |
| The Stourbridge Line | Honesdale | Diesel | 1.5 hours | $25 (90-min sightseeing) | See website | No |
| Wanamaker, Kempton and Southern Railroad | Kempton | Steam & diesel | 40 minutes | $12 adult (all day) | See website | Yes |
| West Chester Railroad | West Chester | Diesel | 1.5 hours | $30 adult (children $25) | See website | No |
| Williams Grove Historical Steam Engine Association | Mechanicsburg | Steam | 20 minutes | $7 (train ride) | Not required | — |