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American-Rails.com Blog

Here is your one-stop shop for learning about all of the newest additions or changes happening at American-Rails.com. Listed below is every page that is either new or which was updated within the last few days. Simply click on the link "Continue Reading..." under each heading to visit the page in question. With new articles added on a regular basis be sure and either check back here often or subscribe to the website's RSS feed to keep up with the latest.

Feb 28, 2025

Step Into History at an Illinois Railroad Museum

No state contained more railroads than Illinois and today several museums preserve their memory and importance.

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Feb 28, 2025

Rails of History: Colorado's Train Museums

Colorado was once home to the densest collection of narrow-gauge railroads. Several museums preserve the state's rail history today.

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Feb 28, 2025

California Rail Museums: Your Ultimate Guide Awaits

There are several museums in California preserving the state's rail history, none better than the state's own museum in Sacramento. Learn more about each here.

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Feb 27, 2025

Ride Through Time at Pennsylvania's Rail Museums

The state of Pennsylvania has a fascinating history with trains that dates back to the industry's earliest days. Today, several museums are dedicated to preserving this heritage.

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Feb 27, 2025

Experience Pennsylvania's Majestic Scenic Trains

Pennsylvania train rides offer the greatest collection anywhere in the country except perhaps California. The state has a rich and long-standing history with railroads dating back to the 1820s. To learn more about all available train rides in PA please visit this page.

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Feb 27, 2025

Ride the Eerie Express: PA's Haunted Halloween Trains

Find out where here you can ride Halloween-themed trains in Pennsylvania, hosted by several heritage railroads and museums across the state.

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Feb 27, 2025

Ghostly Tracks: Ohio's Eerie Halloween Train Rides!

Find out where you can ride a Halloween trains in Ohio, ranging from Pumpkin trains to trick-or-treat themed events!

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Feb 27, 2025

Haunted Rails: New York's Spooky Train Adventures!

There are several locations in New York hosting Halloween-themed train rides for the entire family. Learn more about these events here.

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Feb 27, 2025

Graveyard Express: NJ's Haunted Train Ride Adventures

Find out where you can ride Halloween or autumn-themed train excursions in New Jersey!

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Feb 26, 2025

Ghostly Rails: Michigan's Halloween Train Rides

There are three different locations in Michigan hosting Halloween-themed train rides. More more about these events here.

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Feb 26, 2025

Spooky Rails: Indiana's Haunted Train Adventures!

Check out where you can find Halloween-themed train rides in Indiana! There is currently one heritage railroad hosting such events.

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Feb 26, 2025

Spooktacular Train Rides In Illinois: Ghostly Escapades!

You can ride a Halloween-themed train ride in Illinois at the Silver Creek & Stephenson Railroad in Freeport. Learn more about this event here.

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Feb 26, 2025

Ghost Trains of Colorado: Spine-Tingling Halloween Rides

Find out where you can catch Halloween-themed train rides in Colorado, currently offered at three different locations!

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Feb 26, 2025

All Aboard For Haunted Rails: Spooky Rides in CA!

California is home to numerous heritage railroads and excursion trains, many of which host Halloween-themed rides. Learn more about these events here.

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Feb 26, 2025

Spooky Hospitality: Alabama's Halloween Train Rides!

Halloween-themed train rides are offered in Alabama at the North Alabama Railroad Museum and Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum. Learn more here.

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Feb 26, 2025

Ride the Rails: Discover Wisconsin's Scenic Trains

Wisconsin train rides include a varying degree of excursions from trolleys to steam locomotives and even dinner trains aboard the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad.

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Feb 25, 2025

All Aboard! Oregon's Scenic Trains Await Adventure

If you are hoping to see the state by rail but not via Amtrak, Oregon train rides have plenty to offer with incredible scenic views.

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Feb 25, 2025

North Dakota Rails: Riding Through Scenic Wonders

Unfortunately, North Dakota train rides are few. Only the Fort Lincoln Trolley offers such trips. The state is also home to handful of museums, the most notable of which is the North Dakota State Railroad Museum in Mandan.

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Feb 25, 2025

Scenic Adventures In North Carolina By Train

North Carolina train rides offer many restored steam locomotives to see in action and plenty of scenery. The information here provides complete coverage of train rides in NC, from the Tweetsie Railroad to the New Hope Valley Railway.

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Feb 24, 2025

Enchanting Rails: New Mexico's Scenic Trains

Only two New Mexico train rides are open to the public although one is the incredibly successful and picturesque Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad.

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Feb 24, 2025

Hawaii's Enchanting Scenic Trains

There may be only a few Hawaii train rides available but if you have a chance to take one they are a unique experience and a lot of fun!

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Feb 24, 2025

Enjoy A Dinner Train In Texas: Dine, Ride & Delight!

Texas, where everything is big and the entertainment is endless! Learn more about dinner train rides across the state here.

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Feb 24, 2025

Culinary Wonders Aboard Vermont's Dinner Trains

There is one location in Vermont hosting a dedicated dinner train experience at the Green Mountain Railroad.

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Feb 24, 2025

Cornelius Vanderbilt, From Steamboats to Railroads

Cornelius Vanderbilt who was famously known as the Commodore is also the best remembered railroad tycoon creating the NYC lines through shrewd business tactics.

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Feb 24, 2025

Short Line Railroads, Class 3s: The Smallest Freight Carriers

A close-up look at several Class III railroads, or "short lines." These systems are in vastly greater numbers today as Class Is continue to shed trackage.

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Feb 24, 2025

Ride Delaware's Breathtaking Scenic Trains

The state of Delaware has a long history with railroads although because of its small size did not contain significant mileage. Learn more about the state's available train ride attractions and museums.

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Feb 24, 2025

New Hampshire's Scenic Railways: A Portal to Natural Grandeur

New Hampshire train rides include seven different excursions, which you can learn more about here.

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Feb 24, 2025

Missouri's Enchanting Scenic Train Journeys

Today there are just three Missouri train rides offered although one is the nationally-known Branson Scenic Railway within the Ozark Mountains.

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Feb 24, 2025

Ride Indiana's Scenic Trains: Discover Hidden Gems

You have your choice of several Indiana train rides to choose from. Read about all of the state's excursion trains here.

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Feb 24, 2025

Illinois Train Rides: Through The Prairie State's Past

While the state has many museums there are just a few Illinois train rides available. The two most well known are the Silver Creek & Stephenson and Illinois Railway Museum.

Continue reading "Illinois Train Rides: Through The Prairie State's Past"

Feb 23, 2025

Ride Through NY's Splendor: Scenic Train Adventures!

New York scenic train rides offer about everything you can imagine from steam locomotives to long dinner train rides.

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Feb 23, 2025

Discover Scenic South Dakota: Train Rides Await!

Although more than 52% of the state's railroads are abandoned today, there are train rides available in South Dakota! In addition, a museum in Hill City, home of the Black Hills Central Railroad, offers displays and artifacts to peruse.

Continue reading "Discover Scenic South Dakota: Train Rides Await!"

Feb 23, 2025

Lone Star Rails: Epic Views on Texas Train Rides

Texas offers three top-notch excursions including the Texas State Railroad, Grapevine Railroad, and Austin Steam Train.

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Feb 22, 2025

Dine in Style: Experience Ohio's Culinary Train Journeys

Discover where scenic dinner train rides can be found in Ohio here, a state steeped in rail history.

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Feb 22, 2025

Riding the Rails: Oklahoma's Memorable Scenic Trains!

Currently, the Oklahoma Railway Museum is the only location within the state hosting public excursions. Find out more about it and all of the state's museums here.

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Feb 22, 2025

Discover Ohio's Splendors On Scenic Trains

Most of the Ohio train rides available to the public are small in nature. However, the state is home to the very popular Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, Byesville Scenic, and Hocking Valley Scenic.

Continue reading "Discover Ohio's Splendors On Scenic Trains"

Feb 22, 2025

Rocky Mountain Train Rides In Colorado!

Colorado has a rich history with railroads related to its legendary mining trade. As such, there are several heritage excursions and museums found there today. Learn more about Colorado train rides and railroad museums here.

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Feb 22, 2025

California Dreamscapes: Scenic Trains In The Golden State

California train rides are numerous, as are railroad museums to peruse, ranging from elegant dinner trains to impressive collections of historic locomotives and cars. You can learn more about all of these attractions here.

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Feb 22, 2025

Desert Rails: Arizona's Scenic Rail Adventures

Arizona may not have many railroad museums but, surprisingly, does offer several train rides, including trolleys! Read about them all here!

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Feb 22, 2025

Escape in Motion: Maryland's Breathtaking Train Rides

Maryland train rides offer some incredible experiences on the rails like the steam-powered Western Maryland Scenic.

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Feb 22, 2025

Southern Railway, "Serves The South"

The Southern Railway was formed through a combination of smaller lines in 1894. In 1982 it helped create today's Norfolk Southern.

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Feb 22, 2025

Rail Tycoons: Iron Titans Who Shaped America

Railroad tycoons, moguls, and barons were titans of 19th and early 20th century American commerce who laid the foundation of the modern industry we know today.

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Feb 22, 2025

Idaho's Untamed Wilderness By Scenic Train

Presented here is a brief guide to available train rides and railroad attractions in the state of Idaho.

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Feb 22, 2025

The "William Mason"

The "William Mason" is an early B&O 4-4-0 built by the Mason Machine Works in 1856 that is now preserved at the B&O Railroad Museum.

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Feb 22, 2025

The Steam Turbine: A Late Era Development

The steam turbine locomotive was an experimental design tested in the 1930s by several railroads as an alternative to diesels with names like the Jawn Henry.

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Feb 21, 2025

Scenic Trains In Florida: Discover Where To Ride!

A Florida train rides guide, including all known railroad museums to visit within the state. Learn more about them here.

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Feb 21, 2025

The Cowcatcher: History and Purpose

The cowcatcher was an early device attached to the front pilot of steam locomotives to deflect obstacles from damaging or derailing the locomotive and train.

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Feb 21, 2025

Rogers Locomotive and Machine Works

The Rogers Locomotive and Machine Works was a major U.S. manufacturer throughout the 19th century, specializing in locomotives and heavy machinery. It merged with Alco in 1905.

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Feb 21, 2025

Norris Locomotive Works: Major 19th Century Builder

The Norris Locomotive Works was the preeminent locomotive builder through the mid-19th century until the family owned business voluntarily ended prodution in 1866.

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