The following list of passenger rail transportation, tourist railroads and railroad museums in the Washington, D.C. area is provided as a service (you may print it for personal use) for those requesting this information from the Washington, D.C. Chapter, National Railway Historical Society, and does not constitute an endorsement. Individuals using this list should contact each operation for details on directions, current operating schedules, and fares, which may vary depending on day of week and season of year. The Washington, D.C. Chapter, National Railway Historical Society assumes no liability for the accuracy of the information provided; readers and users of this list are asked to forward corrections or suggestions for additions to the Chapter via e-mail using the form provided under the Contact Us link on this website.

Passenger Trains & Public Transit

MARC (Commuter Trains to Maryland and West Virginia): 1-800-325-RAIL

Virginia Railway Express (Commuter Trains to Virginia): 1-800-RIDE-VRE

METRO – WMATA (Washington, D.C. Area Mass Transit) : 202-637-7000

DC Streetcars 202-671-2800

With even a little more work and money, you can plan a day trip (or multi-day trip) to cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Charlottesville, Virginia, or Richmond aboard Amtrak:

Amtrak: 1-800-USA-RAIL
Amtrak serves over 500 cities nationwide. Frequent and fast Northeast Corridor Service to cities to the north such as Wilmington, Philadelphia, New York, and Boston via electrified Acela Express(premium fare) and Northeast Regional trains. Regular Northeast Corridor Service to cities to the south such as Charlottesville, Richmond, Williamsburg, Lynchburg, and Norfolk. Long distance service to the south and west. Autotrain from Lorton, Virginia to Sanford, Florida. Guest Rewards for frequent travelers. Amtrak trains can be boarded at several suburban stations in Maryland and Virginia in addition to Washington Union Station.

Regional tourist railroads, and museums

Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site
110 Federal Park Road
Gallitzin, PA 16641
814-886-6150

Site of the portage railroad built for the Pennsylvania Main Line Canal, to cross the Allegheny Mountains. Historical interpretative displays, and talks.

B&O Railroad Museum
901 W. Pratt Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21223-2699
410-752-2490
www.borail.org

World renowned collection of historic railroad equipment related to the building of the nation’s first railroad, and housed in the B&O’s historic Mt. Clare Shops. One mile train ride over the “First Mile” also offered.

B&O Railroad Museum Ellicott City Station

2711 Maryland Ave
Ellicott City, Maryland 21043
410-461-1945
Ellicott City Station Museum

Oldest surviving railroad station in America and the original terminus of the first 13 miles of commercial railroad in the country. 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.

Baltimore Streetcar Museum
P.O. Box 4881
1901 Falls Road
Baltimore, Maryland 21211
301-547-0264

Operates vintage Baltimore Streetcars.

Black River and Western RR.
P.O. Box 200
Ringoes, New Jersey 08551
201-782-9600

Steam and diesel passenger train rides between the Liberty Village Outlet Center in Flemington, NJ, Ringoes, and Lambertville, NJ.

Brunswick Railroad Museum
40 W. Potomac Street
Brunswick, Maryland 21716
301-834-7100

Collections include railroad memorabilia, artifacts and models documenting the town’s history which was intertwined with its major employer, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.

Cass Scenic Railroad
P.O. Box 107
Cass, West Virginia 24927
1-800-CALL-WVA or 304-456-4300

Steam logging railroad to the top of Spruce Knob; uses gear driven Shay steam locomotives over steep mountain grades.

Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust
P. O. Box 492
Boyertown, Pennsylvania 19512
610-367-0200
Toll Free 866-289-4021
www.colebrookdalerailroad.com

Operates a Victorian themed era train through the “Secret Valley Line”. Wonderful programming,  and beautifully restored equipment make this an place with experiences for all ages.

East Broad Top Railroad
Rockhill Furnace, PA 17249
814-447-3011

Steam locomotive hauled passenger trains through the Aughwick Valley; the last surviving narrow gauge railroad east of the Mississippi River. Shade Gap Electric Railway adjoins.

Gettysburg Railroad
106 N. Washington Street
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325
717-334-6932

Sixteen mile and fifty mile rail excursions and dinner trains with steam or diesel power.

Hagerstown Museum
P.O. Box 2858
300 S. Burhans Boulevard
Hagerstown, Maryland 21741-2858
301-739-4665

Displays of railroad memorobilia, photographs, tools, model railroads and gift shop.

Horseshoe Curve National Historic Site
Altoona, Pennsylvania

Operated by the National Park Service. Park and visitor’s center for the world famous “Horseshoe Curve” which allowed the Pennsylvania RR. to conquer the summit of the Allegheny Mountains; still in active main line use by over fifty Conrail trains each day.

Laurel Highlands Railroad
P.O. Box 70
Belpre, OH 45714
412-626-8330
Various one hour diesel train rides along ex-B and O and ex-PRR trackage near Scottdale, Pennsylvania.

Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad
136 Brown Street
Middletown, Pennsylvania 17507
717-944-4435

Diesel train ride along Swatara Creek from Middletown to Indian Echo Caverns.

National Capital Trolley Museum
P.O. Box 4007/Colesville Branch
Wheaton Regional Park
Bonifant Road
Wheaton, Maryland 20904
301-384-6088

Operates vintage Washington and international trolleys and streetcars.

New Hope & Ivyland Railroad
32 West Bridge Street (junction of Bridge and Stockton Streets)
New Hope, Pennsylvania 18938
215-862-2332
www.newhoperailroad.com

One hour 9-mile steam or diesel train rides in Bucks County, Pennsylvania over a portion of a former Reading branch line. The train crosses Pauline’s Trestle upon which actress Pearl White was bound in the 1914 silent film “The Perils of Pauline”. Area is popular for antiquing

Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad

Wappocomo Station
Route 28 North
P.O. Box 657
Romney, West Virginia 26757
304-424-0736
304-822-7464 (Train Station – trains days only)
www.potomaceagle.info

Narrated 3-hour diesel rail excursions along the South Branch Trough of the Potomac River. Noted for sightings of bald eagles during ride. Occasional all day trips are also offeredl.

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
300 Gap Road (Route 741)
Strasburg, Pennsylvania 17579
Mail: P. O Box 15
717-687-8628 permanent number
www.rrmuseumpa.org

Large display of restored historic railroad equipment with emphasis on Pennsylvania railroads. Across the road from the Strasburg Railroad.

Railroader’s Memorial Museum
1300 Ninth Avenue
Altoona, Pennsylvania 16602
814-946-0834

Collections including rolling stock documenting the history of the Pennsylvania RR. shops in Altoona. Permanent home of the official state steam locomotive of Pennsylvania, K-4 #1361.

Shade Gap Electric Railway
Rockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania
814-447-9576 (weekends in season only)

Operates collection of restored trolleys over two mile line; adjacent to East Broad Top Railroad.

Stewartstown Railroad
P.O. Box 155
Stewartstown, Pennsylvania 17363
717-993-2936 or 717-235-7797

Diesel rail passenger trips.

Strasburg Railroad
P.O. Box 96
Strasburg, Pennsylvania 17579-0096

Location:301 Gap Road (Route 741)
Ronks, PA 17572-9566
717-687-7522
www.strasburgrailroad.com

Steam locomotives pulling vintage wooden passenger cars for 45 minute ride from Strasburg to Paradise, Pa. through the heart of the Pennsylvania’s Amish Country.

Virginia Museum of Transportation
303 Norfolk Avenue
Roanoke, Virginia 24016
703-342-5670

Collections of railroad rolling stock including the N&W J class #611 which was part of the Norfolk Southern steam excursion program.

Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern Railroad
P.O. Box 24
Kempton, Pennsylvania 19529
215-756-6469

Steam and diesel rail trips.

Walkersville Southern Railroad
34 W. Pennsylvania Avenue
P.O. Box 651
Walkersville, Maryland 21793
1-877-363-9777 or 301-898-0899
www.wsrr.org

Leisurely 1 hour and 10 minute Diesel rail trips on a surviving six mile portion of the Frederick Secondary of the Pennsylvania Railroad between Walkersville and Frederick, Maryland. Operates May through October, weekends only. Special excursions and dinner/brunch trains are also operated. Special steam trains operate in May. A museum with some exhibits for children is located adjacent to the Walkersville Station.

West Chester Railroad
P. O. Box 385
Yorklyn, DE 19736
610.430.2233
www.westchesterRR.net

Operating scheduled trains and charters between West Chester and Glen Mills, PA.

Western Maryland Railway Historical Society Museum
P.O. Box 395
Union Bridge, Maryland 21791

Museum houses displays of artifacts and memorabilia related to the Western Maryland Railway.

Western Maryland Scenic Railroad
Western Maryland Station
13 Canal Street
Cumberland, Maryland 21502
1-800-TRAIN-50 or 301-759-4400
www.wmsr.com

Standard excursion is a round trip from Cumberland to Frostburg, MD, pulled by a 1949 2-6-6-2 steam locomotive or a restored diesel engine. Special programs are also offered periodically.

Wilmington and Western Railroad
P.O. Box 5787
Wilmington, Delaware 19808

Steam and diesel rail excursions.