Easter Train Ride Locations (2025): A Complete Guide

Last revised: March 1, 2025

As excursions have grown in popularity over the years at various railroad museums and tourist lines many have added themed train rides to their schedules running throughout the year as a means of further increasing interest (although few draw the demand of Polar Express trips during the Christmas season).

In recent years this has also included the Easter holiday where trips usually revolve around the famous Easter Bunny.

For some, these rides kick off their annual season, which usually runs throughout the warmer months each year. Provided here is a list of known organizations that offer such trips, broken down by state.

Southern Railway GP30 #2601 is the power for the North Carolina Transportation Museum's "Easter Bunny Special" and has stopped at the Barber Junction depot during Easter of 2014.

Since Easter falls in either March or April each year temperatures are still relatively cool for many areas of the country.

So, if you are interested in taking a train ride during this time you may wish to dress warmly! Different organizations advertise their trains by various names from the "Cottontail Express" to "Peter Cottontail Express."

Whatever the name the event is usually similar wherever it is hosted with train rides offering kids a chance to see the Easter Bunny or Peter Cottontail, hunting Easter Eggs, and enjoying various other activities.

Alaska

No events known.

Arkansas

No events known.

Colorado

No events known.

Connecticut

Railroad Museum Of New England: The Railroad Museum of New England operates the Naugatuck Railroad between Waterville and Thomaston, Connecticut over the former New Haven.

They have preserved equipment on the property of nearly all of the region's notable railroads such as the New Haven, Boston & Maine, Maine Central, Rutland, and Bangor & Aroostook. Each spring they host the Easter Bunny Express.

Delaware

Wilmington & Western Railroad: The Wilmington & Western, located in Wilmington, is a popular freight railroad which also offers steam-powered excursions on a 10-mile segment of a former Baltimore & Ohio branch. During the spring they play host to a special Easter Bunny Express for the kids.

Hawaii

No events known.

Idaho

No events known.

Iowa

No events known.

Illinois

No events known.

Kansas

No events known.

Louisiana

No events known.

Maine

No events known.

Massachusetts

No events known.

Minnesota

No events known.

Mississippi

No events known.

Montana

No events known.

Nebraska

No events known.

Nevada

No events known.

New Hampshire

No events known.

New Mexico

No events known.

North Dakota

No events known.

Oklahoma

No events known.

Oregon

No events known.

Rhode Island

No events known.

South Carolina

South Carolina Railroad Museum: The South Carolina Railroad Museum, based in Columbia, predominantly looks to preserve the state's railroad heritage and has a wide collection of equipment on its grounds while also offering short train excursions. Each spring they host their Easter Bunny Eggspress for the kids.

South Dakota

No events known.

Utah

Heber Valley Railroad: The Heber Valley Railroad is Utah's only excursion train, operating a wide variety of excursion and special trains, powered by both diesel and steam locomotives, throughout the year from its home base in Heber City.

One of their specials is the Easter Bunny Train hosted each spring where the 40-minute trip lets kids meet the Easter Bunny, have sing-a-longs, and enjoy other activities.