The rich history of the railroad in Pennsylvania can’t be denied. Trains fueled the Industrial Revolution, and the commonwealth was a giant. Whether it involved carving their way through mountains or building huge spans connecting gorges, nothing would stop the progress that railroads brought to this country. Thanks to preservation efforts, we can reconnect with the early days of railroading throughout Pennsylvania.

Historic railroads in Pennsylvania not only offer this glimpse into the past but provide a unique opportunity to view the beauty of fall on board a piece of American history.

Credit: Allentown & Auburn Railroad

Allentown & Auburn Railroad
232 Railroad St., Kutztown
allentownandauburnrr.com| 570-778-7531

Experience the beautiful autumn colors of the Kutztown countryside aboard the Allentown and Auburn Railroad’s Pumpkin Trains. Each trip includes a stop at our picnic grove for each passenger to pick a pumpkin as well as a treat for each child.

Credit: Bellefonte Historical Railroad Society

Bellefonte Historical Railroad Society
320 W. High St., Bellefonte
bellefontetrain.org| 814-355-2917

They are working diligently to get the train rides back on schedule for the Christmas season. Check website for updates.

Credit: Colebrookdale Railroad

Colebrookdale Railroad
64 S. Washington St., Boyertown
colebrookdalerailroad.com| 610-367-0200

The Colebrookdale Railroad has several themed train excursions this fall including Autumn Splendor Fall Foliage 90-minute train ride through the spectacular fall foliage.

Credit: Explore Altoona

Everett Railroad Company
224 Loop Road, Hollidaysburg
everettrailroad.com| 814-696-3877

The Everett Railroad Company host Family Train Rides from March through October. The Pumpkin Patch Train weekends in October and four Autumn Adventure Rides also in October.

Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway, Jim Thorpe

Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway
1 Susquehanna St., Jim Thorpe
lgsry.com| 570-325-8485

Hop on board the spectacular Autumn Leaf trains from September 30 through  November 5. The excursions take 45 minutes round trip.

Credit: Ma & Pa Railroad Heritage Village Facebook

Ma & Pa Railroad Heritage Village
1258 Muddy Creek Forks Road, Airville
maandparailroad.com| 717-927-9565

In addition to the Fall Foliage Excursions the last two weekends in October, Pumpkin Patch excursions will take place on Oct 7-8, and will host WWI Encampment Days on October 14-15

Credit: Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad Facebook

Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad
136 Brown St., Middletown
mhrailroad.com| 717-944-4435

Regular train rides available from Memorial Day Weekend through October. Pumpkin Patch Express on October 14-15, and 21-22 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. both weekends.

Credit: New Hope & Ivyland Railroad

New Hope & Ivyland Railroad
32 W. Bridge St., New Hope
newhoperailroad.com| 215-862-2332

In addition to the Traditional Excursions, Fall Excursions run from September 30 through November 4 and the Trick or Treat Excursions run from September 30 – October 31.

Credit: John Gensor, North Central Railroad

Northern Central Railroad
2 W. Main St., New Freedom

nortcentralrailroad.com | 717-942-2370

The railroad offers excursions throughout the year. Fall themed excursions include Fall Foliage rides throughout October, PA Cowboy Weekends, Ghost Tracks and Campfire Frights October 21 and 28, and Halloween Express Rides on October 28th.

Credit: Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad

Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad
409 S. Perry St., Titusville
octrr.org| 814-676-1733

This 3-hour round trip is as rich with scenic beauty as it is history. Journey through the “valley that changed the world.” Regular train rides, Fall foliage, as well as other themed rides and Murder Mystery excursions available. Book early, rides sell out fast.

Credit: Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine & Steam Train

Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine & Steam Train
19th Street & Oak Street, Ashland
pioneertunnel.com| 570-875-3850

Discover the rich anthracite coal history of Ashland on the coal mine tour then climb aboard the Henry Clay steam train and take a scenic train ride around the Mahanoy Mountain.

Harrisburg Lincoln Lancaster Railroad Credit: Wendy Royal

Harrisburg Lincoln and Lancaster Railroad
Star Barn at Stone Gables Estate
1 Hollinger Lane, Elizabethtown
stonegablesestate.com| 717-902-9791

Credit: Kenny Ganz, NPS

Steamtown National Historic Site
350 Cliff St., Scranton
nps.gov/stea| 570-340-5200

The park is open year-round with free admission. Upon arrival check-in at the visitors center to find out what program is scheduled for that day. There is a fee for short train rides and excursions.

Credit: Kenny Ganz, NPS

Stewartstown Railroad
21 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Stewartstown
stewartstownrailroadco.com| 717-746-8123

Throughout the fall you can experience closed and open-air cars, including the Pumpkin Patch Express, Villains Express and Halloween Costume Special in October with the Fall Foliage running on November 4.

Credit: The Stourbridge Line

The Stourbridge Line
812 Main St., Honesdale
thestourbridgeline.net| 570-470-2697

Throughout the fall the Stourbridge Line offers many opportunities to experience the beauty of the Poconos including the Pocono Foliage Express excursions throughout the month of October and the Autumn Dinner trains in October and November. There is also a 2-hour Pumpkin Patch Express weekends in October that the kids will love. 

Strasburg Rail Road
301 Gap Road, Ronks
strasburgrailroad.com| 866-725-9666

When you visit America’s oldest operating railroad, you can expect an authentic experience of a real steam railroad. The locomotives and passenger cars, (known as “rolling stock”) are not replicas, and our staff members are not reenactors. Your ticket entitles you to a 45-minute, round-trip ride through the tranquil Amish countryside to Paradise, PA and back. Some of the special fall events include The Legacy of Sleepy Hollow: Not Everything Dies from October 6 through November 5 and the Murder Mystery train rides, from October 1 through November 12.

Credit: WK&S Railroad

WK&S Railroad
42 Community Center Dr., Kempton
kemptontrain.com| 610-756-6469

Several special events are planned throughout the fall including the All Aboard the Apple Pickin’ Train excursion, on October 7-8 with a stop at County Line Orchard, Oktoberfest Beer & Bratwurst ride on October 14, and the popular Pumpkin Patch train on the last 2 weekends in October.

Credit: Chester County’s Brandywine Valley

West Chester Railroad
230 E. Market St., West Chester
https://wcrailroad.com | 610-430-2233

The 90-minute round-trip run from West Chester to Glen Mills includes a 20-minute stop at the historic Glen Mills train station. Fall Foliage Express trains will run October 1, 8, 15, 21, 22 and November 5. The Halloween Special will run on October 28 and 29.  

Related Attractions:

Credit: Allegheny Forest Visitors Bureau

Kinzua Sky Walk & Visitors Center
296 Viaduct Road, Mt. Jewett
visitanf.com/kinzua-state-park-sky-walk
814-778-5467

Gallitzin Tunnels Park & Museum
DeGol Plaza, 411 Convent St., Gallitzin
www.gallitzin.info | 814-886-8871

Horseshoe Curve
2400 Veterans Memorial Hwy, Altoona
https://www.railroadcity.org/curve.html

Lake Shore Railway Historical Society & Museum
31 Wall St., North East
lakeshorerailway.com | 814-725-1911

Credit: Lee Snider, National Toy Train Museum

National Toy Train Museum
300 Paradise Lane, Ronks
nttmuseum.org | 717-687-8976

Railroaders Memorial Museum
1300 Ninth Ave., Altoona
railroadcity.com | 814-946-0834

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
300 Gap Road, Ronks
rrmuseumpa.org | 717-687-8628

You might also like this article on Pennsylvania’s stunning Fall Foliage Destinations.