Heritage railroads keep a working piece of American transportation history on the tracks long after freight and commuter service moved on. Some date to the 1800s, others climb grades that would defeat ordinary trains, and many still run steam power. Here are twelve lines that carry passengers today.
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1. Strasburg Rail Road: Oldest Short Line
Chartered in June 1832, the Pennsylvania line calls itself the oldest short line railroad in North America, according to its own history page. It now carries about 300,000 riders a year, a long way from the roughly 9,000 passengers of 1959.
The standard trip runs 4.5 miles to Paradise in a 45-minute ride, which makes it an easy half-day outing. A group of enthusiasts bought the line on November 1, 1958, and that purchase is why it still operates.
2. Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad: Colorado Narrow Gauge
The railroad reached Durango in August 1881, and coverage of Colorado train rides notes that track to Silverton was completed a year later. The line has operated through the San Juan Mountains ever since that first mining-era construction.
Visitors should expect a full-day excursion behind a vintage locomotive. Because the route is tied to its original mining-era alignment, the scenery and the pace both reflect how the railroad worked in the nineteenth century.
3. Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad: Longest Steam Day Trip
Built in 1880, the line offers a 67-mile day trip through the mountains on the Colorado and New Mexico border. American-Rails describes it as the longest and highest steam heritage line in America.
The length is the draw here, since few preserved railroads let passengers spend a whole day on one continuous steam run. Anyone planning a visit should allow for the long schedule rather than treating it as a short excursion.
4. Georgetown Loop Railroad: Colorado’s Early Attraction
Completed in 1884 as a three-foot narrow-gauge line, the Georgetown Loop was one of Colorado’s first visitor attractions. The route is best known for the looping track that gains elevation in a tight space.
A ride takes about an hour and 15 minutes, a manageable length for families. The railroad also appears on American-Rails’ ranking of top steam railroads, which adds to its standing among heritage lines. Its 1884 completion also makes it one of the older tourist-oriented rail lines in the state.
5. Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad: Gold Camp Short Ride
Opened on June 28, 1967, this line runs a 45-minute round trip of roughly four miles behind an 1894 locomotive. The engine is older than the line itself by more than seven decades.
The ride suits visitors who want a compact outing rather than a day of travel. It makes sense as an add-on to a trip to the historic mining district instead of a destination by itself. Its modest scale is also a practical advantage, since the schedule is short and the cost of a ticket buys less time than a longer excursion.
6. Mount Washington Cog Railway: First Mountain Cog
Finished on July 3, 1869, the New Hampshire line is the world’s first mountain-climbing cog railway, per WorldAtlas. Its track covers about three miles, climbs toward a 6,288-foot summit and reaches a near-37% grade at Jacob’s Ladder.
The average grade tops 25%, so the cog system is doing real work on every trip. Riders get the same basic engineering experience that impressed travelers in the nineteenth century. The railroad is also a reminder that a mountain-climbing rail line existed before most of the country’s major heritage routes were built.
7. Pikes Peak Cog Railway: Summit Above 14,000 Feet
The first train reached the 14,115-foot summit on June 30, 1891, making this one of the highest railroads in the country. The line closed after 2017 and reopened in 2021.
The closure is worth knowing about because older guidebook descriptions may not reflect the current operation. The reopening restored a ride that has carried visitors up the mountain for well over a century. Anyone comparing it with the other mountain lines on this list should note that the 14,115-foot summit is the highest point reached by any of them.
8. Cass Scenic Railroad: Shay Locomotive Climb
The West Virginia line climbs 2,390 vertical feet over 11 miles toward Bald Knob, which stands at 4,842 feet. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with a listing date of 1974.
American-Rails singles out Cass for its Shay locomotives, a geared design built for steep logging track. The route is a rare chance to see that machinery working on the sort of grade it was made for.
9. Lookout Mountain Incline Railway: Steepest Incline
Operating since 1895, the mile-long Chattanooga line reaches a 72.7% grade at its steepest point. That figure makes it a standout even among other mountain railways in the WorldAtlas roundup.
Because the track is so short and so steep, the trip is more about the sensation of the climb than distance. It works well as a brief stop for travelers already visiting Lookout Mountain. The incline is also a very short ride, which means it fits easily into a larger day of sightseeing in the Chattanooga area.
10. Grand Canyon Railway: Williams To The Rim
The Arizona railroad runs from Williams to the Grand Canyon’s South Rim, with steam power on selected dates. American-Rails places it among the top steam railroads in the United States.
Steam is not offered every day, so travelers who want it should check the published schedule before booking. The route offers a rail alternative to driving into the national park. It also makes a useful comparison with the other steam railroads on the American-Rails list, since its main purpose is carrying visitors to a single famous destination.
11. Great Smoky Mountains Railroad: Nantahala Gorge Route
The North Carolina railroad rolls through the Nantahala Gorge, with steam on published dates. American-Rails ranks it among the top steam railroads in the country, alongside several better-known Western lines.
As with other heritage operators, the steam trains run only on certain days. Riders who care about steam rather than diesel power should confirm the date first, since the scenery is the main attraction either way. The railroad is a good fit for travelers already planning a trip to western North Carolina, where the gorge is the main reason to board the train.
12. Western Maryland Scenic Railroad: Allegheny Climb
The Maryland line makes the Allegheny climb to Frostburg past Helmstetter’s Curve, a landmark for railfans. American-Rails mentions its steam locomotive 1309 in its ranking of top steam railroads.
Photographers and railroad enthusiasts tend to plan trips around the curve and the steam engine. Others can treat it as a scenic mountain ride that connects to the town of Frostburg. Because the railroad earned a place on a national ranking of steam operations, it is worth considering even for visitors who do not usually plan trips around trains.
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