By DullesMoms, Jan 2022
Train lovers, big and small, will enjoy all the opportunities in our area to see model trains in action or hop on an actual train — vintage, modern, mini, and more!
Dulles Town Center
Sterling, VA
Visit the Dulles Town Center train located on the 1st floor near Center Court. This colorful trackless train offers indoor train rides around the mall for children and adults alike!
Historic Vienna Railroad Station
Vienna, VA
The Northern Virginia Model Railroaders (NVMR), a club of model railroading enthusiasts, is headquartered in the historic train depot in downtown Vienna, VA. The club is home to a permanent HO-scale model railroad layout and opens its doors throughout the year for special events and open houses!
Burke Lake Park
Fairfax Station, VA
Burke Lake Park’s 1/3-scale replica CP Huntington train takes you on an almost 2-mile ride through its picturesque park. This is a great place to spend the day, as the park also offers miniature golf, an ice cream parlor, multiple playgrounds, fishing, canoe rental, and much more!
Fairfax Station Railroad Museum
Fairfax Station, VA
Displays, activities, and events at the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum will fascinate train enthusiasts, young and old! At this train-themed destination, you’re invited to explore Civil War history, railroading, and the fascinating story of the local community.
Cabin John Regional Park
Rockville, MD
Very similar to the train ride at Burke Lake Park, Cabin John’s mini train is a replica of the 1863 CP Huntington steam locomotive. The open-air train takes you for a fun ride through the wooded area of the park!
America on the Move
Wash, DC • National Museum of American History
The Museum’s 26,000-square-foot transportation hall features more than 300 objects and 19 historical settings that chronicle the coming of the railroad, the streetcar, and the automobile. The exhibition features a 1903 Winton, the first car driven across the United States, a Chicago Transit Authority “L” car, and a 199-ton, 92-foot-long Southern Railway locomotive.
Resource Railroad Train
Clemyjontri Park • McLean, VA
Fun and exploration aren’t limited to Celmyjontri’s playground any longer, as children can take a ride and tour this fabulous 2-acre park as a passenger on Engine #62!
Smithsonian National Postal Museum
Wash, DC
The museum’s galleries explore America’s postal history and Philately (the study and collection of stamps) from colonial times to the present. For lovers of all things transportation, enjoy exhibits featuring planes, mail coaches, wagons, trains, and more, such as the Concord Mail Coach, Balloon Jupiter Flight, CSS Florida, de Havilland DH-4, the first airmail, and many others!
Brunswick Heritage Museum
Brunswick, MD
The Brunswick Heritage Museum can be seen as two museums in one. On one floor, the Museum’s exhibits tell the story of a town built by the B&O Railroad at the turn of the 20th century and the people who lived there. On another floor, you can see a 1,700-square-foot HO-Scale model railroad, which depicts the B&O Metropolitan Subdivision beginning at the west end of Brunswick’s rail yard and running eastward all the way to Union Station in Washington, DC.
Wheaton Regional Park
Wheaton, MD
The miniature train at Wheaton Regional Park, a replica of the 1863 CP Huntington, takes guests for a tour of the park’s forests and meadows, over a trestle bridge, and past Pine Lake!
National Capital Trolley Museum
Colesville, MD
The National Capital Trolley Museum, open since 1969, not only provides a chance to learn about historic streetcars in Washington, DC, but also an opportunity to take a trolley ride in one of eleven original cars! The museum has a wide collection of streetcars, including originals from Washington, DC, American Streetcars, and International Streetcars.
Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) Railroad Museum
Baltimore, MD
The B&O Railroad Museum, a Smithsonian affiliate, offers guests the opportunity to engage all their senses and explore our country’s oldest and most historic American railroad collection! Located on the museum’s Baltimore campus, this carefully selected location is regarded as the American Railroad’s birthplace. The museum features both full-size trains and model replicas. Visitors can explore inside locomotives and train cars, view historic railroad artifacts, and even enjoy a real train ride along the first commercial mile of railroad track laid in America!
Watkins Regional Park
Upper Marlboro, MD
Situated in the scenic Watkins Regional Park, your train aficionado will delight in taking a ride on this silver and black C.P. Huntington replica miniature locomotive. Proudly boasting Number 342, this train will take you on a journey through the woods, getting you up close and personal with the trees, wildlife, and even sightings of Old Maryland Farm.
Walkersville Southern Railroad
Walkersville, MD
Located less than 50 miles from Dulles Airport, a train ride on the Walkersville Southern Railroad makes for a perfect family day trip! This historic destination invites you to travel in vintage 1920s passenger cars, open flatcars, and even a caboose on a track originally built in 1872!
Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) Railroad Museum: Ellicott City Station
Ellicott City, MD
The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum’s Ellicott City Station is the oldest surviving railroad station in America and was the original terminus of the first 13 miles of commercial railroad in the country. The site features the Main Depot building, constructed in 1830-31, the freight house built in 1885, a replica of the first horse-drawn passenger rail car, the Pioneer, and a 1927 “I-5” Caboose. Housed in the freight house is a 40-foot, HO-gauge model train layout showing the original thirteen miles of commercial rail track stretching from Baltimore to Ellicott Mills.
Chesapeake & Allegheny Live Steamers
Baltimore, MD
Have you ever ridden a model train before? This live steamers club offers guests the chance to enjoy a ride on a real model train across 11+ acres!
Rappahannock Railroad Museum
Fredericksburg, VA
Visit the Rappahannock Chapter’s Railway Workers Museum for Saturday morning self-guided tours through the chapter’s restored pieces of vintage rolling stock and take a ride on the Little Yellow Train! Dedicated to both the preservation of railroad history and public education on railroad lines, Rappahannock Chapter members provide short educational excursions aboard the Little Yellow Train from mid-march through October. On these preserved track cars, riders can experience the life of railroad workers from the mid-1900s! Train rides are subject to crew availability and are dependent upon weather.
Luray Caverns Toy Town Junction
Luray, VA
Dr. Richard Worden received his first electric train for Christmas in 1941 at the age of five. Now, his enormous collection of trains and toys is on display for everyone at every age to enjoy just as much as he has over the years. The exhibit is impressive, featuring not only Worden’s 30 individual trains but also thousands of other trains, trucks, cars, and tractors, as well as circus miniatures, dolls, and unique collectible toys. The settings are just as fascinating as the trains and toys themselves — the scenery takes visitors into the worlds of pirates, knights, farmer’s, and more.
Northern Central Railway
New Freedom, PA
Northern Central Railway is a historic attraction, boasting a replica 1860s steam locomotive and a GP9 diesel engine. They host excursions that educate, entertain, and enlighten — including train rides on the very route President Abraham Lincoln rode on his way to and from delivering the Gettysburg Address in 1863.
Richmond Railroad Museum
Richmond, VA
With multiple railroad lines having served the city since the 1830s, the rich railway history of Virginia’s capital is more than enough reason for train enthusiasts to visit the Richmond Railroad Museum! Visitors can enjoy viewing more than 150 years of memorabilia and artifacts in the Freight Room and Station Master’s Office. A complex operating model railroad built by the ODC Model Railroad Club is also available for viewing! Adjacent to the building, train aficionados can peek at a steam locomotive and vintage rolling stock such as a railway express car and boxcar.
The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad
Cumberland, MD
Travel back through time aboard the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad on their 1916 Baldwin 2-8-0, Mountain Thunder restored diesel engine. Onboard, you’ll climb through the spectacular scenery of the Allegheny Mountains while a narrator provides you with information about the scenery, history, and culture along your route.
The Strasburg Railroad
Ronks, PA
Climb aboard The Strasburg Railroad — a larger-than-life steam train that provides a 45-minute, round-trip ride through the tranquil Amish countryside to Paradise, PA, and back. You’ll pass more than 1,000 acres of farm fields, and upon disembarkment, you’ll enjoy old-fashioned fun at Groff’s Grove or Leaman Place Grove, convenient recreation areas along the train’s route for mid-way boarding or unloading.
West Chester Railroad Company
West Chester, PA
The West Chester Railroad Company is a tourist railroad along the beautiful Chester Creek Valley in Southeastern Pennsylvania. They offer a variety of nostalgic 90-minute train trips on coaches built between 1931 to 1932. Throughout the year, West Chester Railroad offers special events for its riders, including the Mother’s Day Express, Great Pumpkin Express, Fall Foliage Express, Santa’s Express, and more!
Old Dominion Railroad Excursions
Dillwyn, VA
The Old Dominion Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society happily invites families to travel on the Virginia Springtime Special! Climb aboard this diesel-powered train and enjoy Buckingham County’s scenic springtime backdrop! Offering rides beginning in May, riders can choose a train ride with or without a trackside gunfight featuring the Tom Mix Rangers, a group of outlaws and cowboys who are sure to add a little more excitement to this excursion! This train also offers climate-controlled and open-air cars. Passengers are not guaranteed indoor or outdoor car seating with ticket purchases. Seats are chosen on a first-aboard, first-served basis, so plan accordingly!
Wanamaker, Kempton, & Southern Railroad
Kempton, PA
The Wanamaker, Kempton, & Southern Railroad (WK&S), located in the scenic village of Kempton, PA, in Berks County, is also known as the Hawk Mountain Line because of their proximity to the famous bird sanctuary. Join them weekends from May through November for a scenic ride using locomotives built as early as 1914! The WK&S hosts many special events throughout the year, including the Easter Bunny Express, Kid’s Fun Weekend, Wine & Cheese Train, Halloween Spooktacular, Santa Claus Special, and more!
Allegheny Portage Railroad
Gallitzin, PA
The first railroad to circumnavigate the Allegheny Mountains, the Allegheny Portage Railroad, was the Pennsylvania Mainline Canal’s finishing piece. The Portage opened in 1834, marking the first time there was one direct route between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. All things to all people, it served merchants, passengers, slaves in pursuit of freedom, and soldiers from the Mexican War.
The Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Heritage Center
Clifton Forge, VA
This Center is a railway heritage museum and interpretive, educational, and visitor center that tells the C&O Railway story — the people, the places, and the technology. The Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Heritage Center contains indoor and outdoor displays, scale models, preserved railroad equipment, and replica railroad structures. The grounds are arranged to present the story of American railroading and the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway in a walk-through format. The goal of the Center is to be an inspiring, stimulating place that delights all who visit and leaves them with an understanding of the heritage of American Railroading.
Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad
Romney, WV
Departing from Wappocomo Station, the historic Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad is one of America’s most beautiful train rides. For three hours, enjoy a narrated excursion through a tranquil and pristine mountain valley, where you’ll view historic farms and lush mountain greenery. You’ll also experience The Trough, a spectacular narrow mountain valley. Plus, as the name implies, Romney is part of the American bald eagle’s eastern home. Undisturbed by the occasional train’s low rumblings, it is common to see them flying overhead or perched in nearby trees.
Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad
Elkins, WV
Explore wild, wonderful West Virginia from an entirely new perspective — aboard any one of Durbin & Greenbrier Valley RR’s four unique trains! From April to December, the surrounding mountains and valleys come alive with the welcoming wail of whistles from beautifully refurbished and historic locomotives that depart both Elkins, WV, and Durbin, WV depots. Click here to see upcoming special events like the Cottontail Express, the Polar Express, Cass Railfan Weekend, and more!
The Bellefonte Historical Railroad Society
Bellefonte, PA
The Bellefonte Historical Railroad Society is an all-volunteer historical society dedicated to promoting, preserving, and fostering a public appreciation of the railroading heritage of Bellefonte and Centre County, PA. They own several historic pieces of rolling stock used in two annual excursion weekends (October and December), using restored 1920s- and 1940s-era passenger equipment.
Cass Scenic Railroad State Park
Cass, WV
Nestled in the mountains of West Virginia, Cass Scenic Railroad State Park offers excursions that transport you back in time to relive an era when steam-driven locomotives were an essential part of everyday life. Trips to Cass are filled with rich histories of the past, unparalleled views of a vast wilderness area, and close-up encounters with the sights and sounds of original steam-driven locomotives.
Disclaimer: Events/opportunities are curated from public sources and are subject to changes/cancelations that might not be reflected on DullesMoms.com.
