Riding the rails is pure pleasure, offering a chance to sit back, relax, and watch the world roll by outside your window. And some of the best rides? The ones that take you back in time. These six vintage trains will do just that, steaming through some of the most beautiful places across the United States.
Alaskan Adventure
White Pass and Yukon Route (Tony Hisgett (CC0 BY 2.0, CreativeCommons.org/ public domain/by 2.0))
In the late 19th century, prospectors seeking their fortune in the Klondike Gold Rush made the arduous journey over the White Pass on foot—the White Pass and Yukon Route was formed in 1898 to make that journey a bit easier. Today, vintage cars roll across trestles and through tunnels below snow-capped mountains, 40 miles round-trip from northern Canada up to White Pass Summit and down to Skagway, on Alaska’s famed Inside Passage. WPYR.com
Red-Carpet Legacy
Once, the 20th Century Limited was “the most famous train in the world,” launched in 1948 and carrying the world’s biggest celebrities. Now, its last remaining restored car, the sleek, mid-century Hickory Creek, makes a round trip from New York’s Moynihan Train Hall to Albany and back, operated by Hudson River Rail Excursions. Along the way, guests enjoy drinks and lunch and unparalleled views of the Hudson River. HudsonRiverRail.comWine and Dine
Napa Valley Wine Train. (Jum G (CC0 BY 2.0, CreativeCommons.org/ public domain/by 2.0))
Taking you back to the glory days of rail travel around the turn of the century, the Napa Valley Wine Train’s classic Pullman cars, finished with mahogany, brass, and etched glass, roll through California’s vineyards. Their signature experience includes a three-hour ride, a four-course meal, and two separate, delicious wine tastings. WineTrain.com
Mountain Vistas
Courtesy of Anthony D’Amato
In continuous operation since 1882, the historic Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway winds through Colorado’s rugged San Juan Mountains. Climb on board and feel the history as you climb up the narrow gauge tracks and through Animas Canyon behind a big, black steam locomotive blowing its whistle. Take a trip to Silverton, a historic mining town, where you can have lunch and a craft beer before rolling back down to Durango. DurangoTrain.com
The Long Way ‘Round
Courtesy of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
Registered as a National Historic Landmark, the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad—one of the country’s longest and highest vintage steam trains—zigzags across the state line between Colorado and New Mexico a total of 11 times. It was originally built to service silver mines 140 years ago. The Rocky Mountain scenery along the route is stunning, passing waterfalls and sylvan aspen forests, amongst the trekking grounds of elk, eagles, and bears. CumbresToltec.com
A Grand Voyage
Getty Images
Carrying tourists to one of the world’s most awe-inspiring wonders since 1901, the Grand Canyon Railway climbs from high desert to prairie to pine forest. Getting there is truly (more than) half the fun, as cowboy characters and Western musicians entertain along the way, in restored cars that date back to 1923. You’ll have three hours at the South Rim to marvel and enjoy before making the trip back to the town of Williams. TheTrain.com
This article was originally published in American Essence magazine.
