Top 10 Steam Train Rides in the USA

There are dozens of steam train rides all over the United States, but which one is the best? In my second Top 10 video, I will be listing my top picks for the best steam train rides in the country. I've spent many years traveling all over to ride an photograph all sorts of different steam trains and this is my list of the very best of the best. From short, half day side trips to full day steam train adventures, we will be looking at all sorts of different train rides all across the USA!

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Artists:
Bird Creek
NoMBe
Noir Et Blanc Vie
Dan Henig
Kevin MacLeod

CoasterFan2105 is the home of all sorts of train and railroad related video content. Stop by every Friday at 9 AM Pacific time for an all new railroading adventure and be sure to check out all of my social media pages @coasterfan2105 for even more great railroad content. Thanks, and I'll see you down the line!

[jonathanzobel]

Glad you had Strasburg in the list. Got a lot of good memories from that railroad as my Grandfather used to work on the railroad as an engineer and also helped in the shops. Also as an Iowan, I'm not upset that Boone and Scenic was not included but I know it's Chinese steamer tends to rub some the wrong way (my grandpa included) but you did inadvertently show one steamer from a different Iowa railroad. Shay #9 on the Georgetown loop RR clips is actually from the Midwest central RR in Mount Pleasant IA. They had swapped Shay #9 for Georgetown Loop #12 for a few years and both are now back at their rightful homes. If you're ever back in Iowa during the Midwest Old Thrashers Reunion I'd highly recommend stopping by for a visit. And Boone is worth a look to provided you have the time.

[mediatrainfan]

When you ride heritage railroads, you, you’ll go back in time when railroads were the golden age in America.

[natevince]

Cumbers & Toltec Scenic is where it’s at.
When I went, there were real cowboys herding cattle. Some of the cattle were even blocking the track. I didn’t take long for them to be on their way.

[theUP]

I've got to be honest, I'm not surprised that the number 1 and 2 spots went to the Cumbres & Toltec and Durango & Silverton respectively. They both use the original equipment that ran there in the 1900s, as well as most of the original structures, plus the beautiful scenery, they're both more than worthy of the rankings that you gave them. If I were to do a top ten steam train ride list, I'd also give the number 1 spot to the Cumbres & Toltec. When my father and I visited the railroad last summer, we enjoyed every minute of it, both our ride on-board the train, and being able to walk around the Chama yard and see all the structures and equipment.

[trainboi]

My top 3 : Tennessee valley railroad
The great Smokey mountain railroad
And the 3 rivers rambler

[Zackman]

My favorite steam scenic railroad that I've road in the past was the Grand Canyon railroad. I love the experience of traveling to the south rim of the Grand Canyon, and then get really excited on the return trip only to get caught in the middle of a train robbery.

[c.d.]

Thank you so much for this list & beautiful visuals. And I like reading comments where other people mention their favorites (it helps if they could also mention city/state).

[streetfightinmanrs]

Excellent video!
I’ve had the pleasure of riding the Virginia and Truckee back when it was known as, “Queen of the Short Lines” since it’s trackage only went from Virginia City to Gold Hill. Engine 27 was the only Steamer running at the time and I think no. 25 was near St. Mary’s surrounded by a wrought-iron fence.

Two others I have been on that were not mentioned in your video:
The Heber Valley RR in Utah aka the, “Heber-Creeper”, I was lucky enough to ride their 2-8-0 and visit their shop where an engineer gave me a tour of their other steamer which was in the middle of having its boiler tubes being replaced. The other was the Great Smokey Mountains RR. Another beautiful 2-8-0 and another gorgeous journey through the woods.

[TranscontinentalRailfan]

One of my best friends and I really enjoyed this video. I have ridden half of the tourist railroads listed. Cass Scenic Railroad is my favorite touirst railroad in the U.S. Can't wait for the next top 10 list.

[Omegajunior]

Wow that is a very interesting video.
I always love trains especially steam ones.
I'm sure America 🇺🇸 has lots of amazing steam locomotives.
Greetings from Ireland 🇮🇪

[JawTooth]

I see you were at the Lerro Productions Photo shoot in Strasburg last year. I was there also. That was pretty cool seeing both of the operational N&W steam locomotives working together

[livelaughlogan]

I love the sugar pine, I visit there all the time and it’s always so peaceful slowly winding through the trees

[Thomasboi]

I love seeing all the list of tourist railroads on the list. I love all those Cool steam locomotives. Steam forever!

[theunitedstates]

I have one favorite,

The Durango and Silverton Train Tour.

[RileyRailAviationNTrucks]

Great list! I've only been on the Strasburg, Tweetsie, Walt Disney World, and the TVRM, but I've love to go on all the railroads you have on this list!

[SteveTheFazeman]

In 2016, I rode the Lumberjack Steam Train from Laona Depot to Camp Number 5 in northern Wisconsin. I bought a ticket to ride in the Vulcan 2-6-2 cab for the three mile trip to the camp. The Engineer and Fireman explained the operation and they let me shovel a couple scoops of coal into the firebox. Camp 5 has an exceptional museum on the logging industry and it has a petting zoo to feed the animals. They also took us into the backwoods in special vehicles to further explain the industry in the area.
The Lumberjack Steam Train would definitely qualify in the all encompassing category of train museum experiences.

[Chris]

Here are some honorable mentions:

Grand Canyon Railway

Roaring Camp & Big Trees Narrow Gauge Railroad

Great Smokey Mountains Railway

Tweetsie Railroad

Niles Canyon Railway

Essex Steam Train (The Valley Railroad)

Mount Washington Cog Railroad

Abilene & Smoky Valley

Wilmington and Western

Conway Scenic Railroad

[sendieloo]

I hope you know, my 2 year old grandson, Matthew, is your biggest fan! He absolutely ❤️ your train videos and will pick yours to watch every time! His favorite is definitely the steam trains 🚂.

[destroyergaming]

My Top 10 Favorite Tourist Railroads
1. Strasburg Railroad
2. Western Maryland scenic railroad
3. Down East Scenic Railroad
4. B&O railroad Museum (Probably Isn’t A Tourist railroad)
5. Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum
6. Cass scenic railroad
7. The Steam Railroading Institute
8. Texas State Railroad Museum
9. Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad
10. Illinois Railway Museum

Ps. I’ll Be heading up north to Maine Very Early Tomorrow morning

PPs. You sounded enthusiastic during this video

[thealmightydoge]

My top 3:
Fillmore and Western Railroad
Durango and Silverton Railroad
Strasburg Railroad