The American West, its myths and legends popularized by Hollywood, is an especially fertile location for railfans and railroad enthusiasts of all ages. As much of our past disappears beneath concrete and billboards, saving our railroad history has become an important part of saving our past. Throughout the west, a number of old railroads have been resurrected, many of them narrow gauge and built to serve mining and logging industries before the turn of the last century. Museums chronicling railroad history are also growing in number. 

Before you plan your next vacation, especially if you plan to take along the entire family, take a look at what railroading west has to offer. Take a ride on an old steam train, visit a railroad museum and let the kids climb all over an interpretive railroad exhibit. And wherever you go, take along a camera. Most of these rides travel through spectacular scenery. Some provide entertainment. And allórides and museums alikeówill treat you to a sense of American history you won't find anywhere else.

ALASKA

* White Pass and Yukon Route
231 Second Avenue 
(corner of Second & Spring)
PO Box 435, Skagway Alaska 99840
800 343-7373 res.
Built in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush, this narrow gauge railroad is an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. Experience the breathtaking panorama of mountains, glaciers, gorges, waterfalls, tunnels, trestles and historic sites from the comfort of vintage parlor cars on this 40 mi. RT narrated tour through scenic sites on narrow gauge steam- and diesel-powered trains. May-Sept. Daily.

Alaska Railroad Museums
 

ARIZONA

Arizona Railway Museum
399 N Delaware, Chandler, AZ 85224 United States 
480-821-1108 
Non-profit, educational and historical organization dedicated to the railways of Arizona and the Southwest. Noon- 4 p.m., Sat. & Sun., Labor Day to Memorial Day.

Arizona Train Depot
755 E. McKellips, Mesa AZ 85203
877-777-1444
Displays, exhibits. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m., except Wed. 1-8 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

* Grand Canyon Railway
233 N. Grand Canyon Blvd., Williams AZ 86046
1-800 The Train
Scheduled steam and passenger service to Grand Canyon. Daily except Dec. 24 & 25.

McCormick Stillman Railroad Park
7301 East Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale AZ 85250
480-312-2312 
Static displays, miniature train rides, special events. Daily.

* Verde Canyon Railroad   (pictured right)
300 N. Broadway, Clarkdale AZ 86324
800-320-0718
Excursion trains into remote canyon. Open year-round.

* Yuma Valley Railway
P.O. Box 10305, Yuma, AZ 85366-8305
Location: 3rd Ave., behind Court House (north of 4th St.)
520-783-3456 / 520-782-9629
Diesel-powered excursion trains. Track runs south along the Colorado river for a distance of 17 miles.
Sat. &  Sun., Oct.-May every Saturday and Sunday.
 

CALIFORNIA

* California State Railroad Museum (CSRM)
111 "I" Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. Sacramento, CA. 
24-hour info: 916-445-6645
Guided tours, exhibits, interpretive film screenings, special events. Daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

* California Western Railroad-Skunk Train
Fort Bragg Depot, Laurel St, Fort Bragg, CA 95437, 707 964-6371 direct
Willits Depot, 299 East Commercial St., Willits, CA 95490
Res. 800-866-1690
Steam and diesel excursions, historic redwood logging railroad. May-Dec.

* California Western Railroad - Sierra Railroad Dinner Train
220 South Sierra Avenue, Oakdale, CA 95361
Res. 800-866-1690
Dinner train, entertainment. Third oldest railroad in North America. Daily.

* California Western Railroad - Sacramento River Train
Boarding at the Corner of  East Main and E Streets, Woodland, CA 95776
Res. 800-942-6387, 800-866-1690
Excursion train travels along the Sacramento River and over an 8,000-foot long trestle. 
Open year-round.
 

* Carrizo Gorge Railway, Inc.
8929 Gardena Way, Lakeside CA 92040
619-938-1943
Passenger and freight service to the international community along the U.S. - Mexican border following the historic San Diego and Arizona Eastern Railway corridor. Special passenger service includes brunch and dinner trains, Tecate wine tours, Tijuana to Tecate and special event trips. (Call 619-938-1943 or click on map for more information.)

Knotts Berry Farm - Ghost Town Calico Railroad
8039 Beach Boulevard, Buena Park, CA 90620
714-220-5200 
The heart and soul of Knott's Ghost Town is an 1880's California Boom Town with cowboys, gunfights, stage-coaches, a steam train, the world's first log flume ride and panning for real gold. Steam train departs daily from Ghost Town Station for a round-trip tour of the Park. 
Open daily except Christmas.

Golden Gate Railroad Museum
Hunters Point, San Francisco, CA, 94124
P.O. Box 81686, San Francisco, CA 94188-1686 
415-822-8728
"Hand's-on" museum, rolling stock, artifacts, operating steam locomotives. Locomotive and rail car rentals. 
10 a.m.-5 p.m.

* Market Street Railway
870 Market Street, Suite 803, San Francisco, CA
415-956-0472
Operating vintage transportation including  F-line historic streetcars and the world-famous cable cars.

* Niles Canyon Railway
Pacific Locomotive Association
PO Box 2247, Fremont CA 94536
925-862-9063
One-Hour Round-Trip Scenic Rides, departing from downtown Sunol, Calif. in the Niles Canyon
Rent a caboose, railbus or entire train.
Jan.-Mar., 1st & 3rd Sundays. .Every Sun., April-Sept. Check website for event and school trains.

* Railtown 1897 State Historic Park
5th St., P.O. Box 1250, Jamestown, CA 95327. 
209-984-3953
Events, interpretive exhibits, train rides, Roundhouse Tours
The park is home to one of Americaís last authentic, operating railroad roundhouses. Known as ìThe Movie Railroad,î Railtownís locomotives and cars have appeared in over 200 film and TV productions.
Open daily. 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. April-Oct. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov.-Mar.
Steam train rides, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., Sat. and Sun. April-Oct. 
 
 

* Canyon City & Royal Gorge Railroad
PO Box 859, Georgetown CO 80444
1-888 RAILS4U
Scenic, historic train ride from Canyon City through Royal Gorge. Coach and Club Car service. Sat. & Sun. fall, winter and spring. 12:20 p.m. Gourmet lunch. Dinner trains, Sat. 5 p.m. Summer Season: daily May 28-Oct. 9; dinner trains, June-Sept. 7 p.m
 

Colorado Railroad Museum
17155 West 44th Avenue 
PO Box 10, Golden, CO
800-365-6263
Approximately 15 acres of grounds with museum, gift shop, Robert W. Richardson Library, the Cornelius W. Hauck Restoration Facility (the Roundhouse), locomotives and rolling stock. Outstanding collection of historic records, mementos, artifacts, and pictures of Colorado railroads. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.

* Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
D&SNGRR Roundhouse Museum
479 Main Ave., Durango CO 81301
970-247-2733
Traveling by trains pulled by coal-fired, steam-powered locomotives the trip winds through spectacular scenery and breathtaking canyons in the remote wilderness of the two-million acre San Juan National Forest. Continuous operation for more than 120 years. Vintage coaches. Parlor car service. Private cars available for rent.  May-Oct. 3 daily service to Silverton, Winter train to Cascade Canyon. Schedules vary. 
Museum features exhibits and a working roundhouse.
For more about the D&SNGRR, the towns it serves and the surrounding area, visit the trains' official magazine All Aboard! published by San Juan Publishing Group.

* Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad
PO Box 459
Cripple Creek CO 80813
719-678-2640
Steam tourist railroad. Family fun. Daily, Memorial Day-mid Oct.

Galloping Goose Historical Society of Dolores
420 Central Ave, PO Box 297 Dolores CO 81323
970-882-7082
Depot museum with working Rio Grande Southern Galloping Goose exhibit. Summer. Daily 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

* Georgetown Loop Railroad 
Located 45 miles west of Denver on I-70, Georgetown Exit #228 to the Devil's Gate VisitorCenter, 646 Loop Dr., or Silver Plume, Exit #226. 888-456-6777. May 31- Sept. 30, Mon.-Fri.;  Weekends and holidays, May 28-Oct 2.  

* Leadville Colorado & Southern
326 E. 7th, PO Box 916, Leadville CO 80461
719-486-3936
Originating in "the highest incorporated city in North America," the LC&S takes passengers along the old Denver, South Park & Pacific and Colorado & Southern lines to the Continental Divide.
Diesel tourist railroad. Memorial Day weekend through Sept. Schedules vary.

* Manitou & Pikes Peak Railway
515 Rustin Ave., Manitou Springs CO 80829
719-685-5401
World's highest cog railroad, the highest Colorado railroad AND highest train in the United States transports passengers to the 14,110 foot summit of Pikes Peak. Steep. Daily May-Oct.

Pueblo Locomotive and Rail Historical Society
PO Box 322, Pueblo CO 80112
714-544-3642.
Museum. May 29-mid Oct. Static displays, year-round.

Ridgway Railroad Museum
P.O. Box 588, Ridgway, CO 81432.
Located at the Ouray County Fairgrounds, Ridgway Area Chamber building.
Railroad equipment, artifacts, historical data, books, artwork, and photographs of Ouray County and the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. Picnic in the Trainyard, June 4 and 5; Ouray County Railroad Days will be Sept.  15-18.
Info.: 970-626-5438,4239,and 4373.
Open daily in summer, Saturdays in winter. Hours vary.
 

IDAHO
Thunder Mountain Line Railroad
Horseshoe Bend Depot, 120 Mill Road, PO Box 487, Horseshoe Bend, Idaho 83629 
Reservations - Schedules - Fares (877) 432-7245 or (208) 793-4425 
Dinner and special event trains. Railroading and rafting packages. Group tours available.
Hours of Operation at Horseshoe Bend: Wed - Sat 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
 
 

MONTANA
Heritage Museum
1367 US Hwy 2 South, Libby, MT 59923.
406-293-7521
Exhibits, rolling stock, displays, historical archives.
Museum: Jun. 2 - Aug. 31, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., Mon. - Sat.; 1 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sun. 
Archives: open all year. Call for hours.

Wibaux Museum 
112 East Orgain Ave., Wibaux, MT 59353 
406-796-9969 
Historical buildings, diisplays Montana Centennial Train Car.
May 15 - Sep. 30, Mon.-Sat. 9-5, Sun. 1-5.
 

NEVADA

* Nevada Northern Railway
Ely, Nevada
1-866-40STEAM or 1-866-407-8326 
Historical operating railroad museum. Static displays, exhibits, excursions. Locomotives for rent. Open daily, year-round.

* Nevada State Railroad Museum
2180 South Carson St., Carson City, NV, 89701
775-687-6953
Operating Museum. Steam train and motor car rides. Historical railroad equipment, hand car races, lectures, an annual railroad history symposium, changing exhibits, and a variety of special events.
Daily, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Open all year
 

NEW MEXICO

* Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
Chama NM
1-888 CUMBRES or 505-756-2151
Steam tourist railroad rides between Chama NM and Antonito CO. Built more than 120 years ago, and little changed since, the C&T is the most authentic steam-era railroad in North America.
Daily (except Fri.) May 28-Oct.16. Schedules vary.

Wheels Museum
700 Silver SW, PO Box 747, (505) 243-6269 Albuquerque, NM 87103
505.243.6269 
12 buildings housing former Santa Fe Railway Shops, located in downtown Albuquerque
Online exhibits, photos, museum store.

* Santa Fe Southern Railway
410 S. Guadalupe, Santa Fe NM 87501
888-989-8600
Freight and excursion trains. Ride the 120-year-old spur from Santa Fe to Lamy through the scenic New Mexico countryside. Daily trips, dinner rides or special events. Year-round. Modified schedule in winter.
 

TEXAS
Age of Steam Railroad Museum
Fair Park, Dallas, TX, 75210
214-428-0101
Hands-on interpretive displays, rolling stock, Dallas' oldest depot.
Year 'round, Wed- Sun.,  from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Austin & Texas Central Railroad
Steam excursions every weekend year-round. Each train has its own unique schedule: .Hill Country Flyer generally operates during the winter, spring and fall; Bertram Flyer and River City Flyer generally operate during the summer and fall. All trains are temporarily diesel-powered. 
 

Texas State Railroad State Park 
PO Box 39, Rusk, TX 75785
800-442-8951 
Four steam engines, four antique diesel locomotives and a complete steam-engine restoration shop. Two trains daily, boarded at either Rusk or Palestine. Both ends of the line have Victorian-style train stations. 50-mile Round Trip takes five hours, and includes top for lunch, shopping at the depot train store or enjoying a short nature hike. Open March-Nov.
 
 

UTAH

Golden Spike National Historic Site
PO Box 897
Brigham City UT 84302
801-471-2209
Steam operation re-enacting Last Spike Ceremony. Daily. April-Oct.

* Heber Valley Railroad
450 S. 600 W., Heber City UT 84032
435-654-5601
Historic steam tourist railroad. Group rates, special event and activity trains, private coach rentals.
Call for schedule.

Ogden Union Station Railroad Museum
2501 Wall Ave., Ogden UT 84401
801-629-8444.
Hub of transcontinental rail traffic for over 50 years, today the grand old depot, built in 1924, houses museums, galleries, a restaurant and model train shop. Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Summer Sundays, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
 

WYOMING
Izaak Walton Inn
PO Box 653, Essex, MT 59916 
Phone: 406-888-5700 / Fax: 406-888-5200
Hotel Lodge and Cabins by Glacier National Park, Montana 
Built in 1939 for the Great Northern Railroad and is listed in the National Register of Historic
Places, the establishment  features a railroad theme throughout. Accomodations include the Great Northern, Empire Builder, Empire Family and Caboose Cottages.

Wyoming Transportation Museum
PO Box 704, Cheyenne, WY 82003 
Phone: 307-637-3376 / Fax: 307-634-9349
Housed in the historic Union Pacific Station. Museum displays. Two steam engines UP runs for various excursions are across from the old station.
http://www.webunionstation.net/US/wy.html
 

CANADA

Elmira Railway Museum 
R.R. 2, Elmira, Prince Edward Island, C0A 2B0 Canada. 
902-357-2481
Formerly the last stop for Prince Edward Island railway. Now a heritage museum with static displays, recreating buildings.

Miles Canyon Historic Railway Society
1093 1st Ave, Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada. 
867-667-6355 
Operates 1927 narrow guage trolley on the historic White Pass railway and Copperbelt Mining/Railway Centre.

Prince George Railway and Forestry Museum 
850 River Road, Prince George, British Columbia, V2L 5S8 Canada. 
250-563-7351

Revelstoke Railway Museum
Address: P.O. Box 3018 , 719 Track Street West, Revelstoke, British Columbia, V0E 2S0 Canada. 
877-837-6060 

OLD MEXICO

* Carrizo Gorge Railway, Inc
Ferrocarriles, Peninsulares del Noroeste, Tijuana, B.C.
664-607-3680 / 664-607-7440
Passenger and freight service to the international community along the U.S. - Mexican border along the historic San Diego and Arizona Eastern Railway corridor. Special passenger service includes brunch and dinner trains, Tecate wine tours, Tijuana to Tecate and special event trips. 

*Copper Canyon Railroad (Chihuahua al Pacífico Train)
One of the most spectacular and awe-inspiring rail journeys in the Western Hemisphere sometimes referred to as the "train ride in the sky". Two trains daily in each direction: Primera Especial (recommended, and includes dining car) and Segunda Clase. Chihuahua is the preferred departure. One-way, approximately 13 hours. Book direct, at Tel/Fax: 011-52 (1) 429-3421 - E-mail: cturismo@chihuahua.gob.mx, 
Or, for a deluxe trip with accommodations, contact one of the private companies that either own or lease special rail cars. http://www.coppercanyon-mexico.com/cc-mex/cctou.htm