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Best Steam Railroads to visit. Well, in my opinion. I'm sure there are other locations.
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Oct 17, 2017 19:12:54   #
Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA
 
I have visited many working steam railroads around the US.
But, not all of them...

My favorite for an overall experience is the Cumbres & Toltic Scenic Railroad.
I prefer to ride the train out of Chama, NM due to the train has to climb up to Cumbres Pass at 10,000 feet in elevation.
Ride all the way to Antonito, CO so you can experience the two tunnels. There are bus options available.
There is an open car that all passengers can visit. There is no seating available in this open car, standing only. The country land is very open and you can get many, many images of the locomotive working hard and going around curves. Lots of hard chugging sounds and plenty of steam/black smoke blowing!
An extra day would be required to "chase" the train after it leaves Chama. You can capture many, many images of the whole train as it makes its climb up to Cumbres Pass.
Also, the yard is open to the public. You can wonder around the yard all you want. Just don't go into the shop as there are open pits and the management does not want you climbing on any structures or equipment.
https://cumbrestoltec.com/
Check youtube for more videos.

My favorite to learn about how a locomotive works and to ride behind one is to take the Disney World, "Behind the scenes" tour in Florida.
This is an early morning tour before the Disney Park opens up. Catch the train at 7am, I think (and don't be late or you will miss the tour).
This tour is unique in that you get a very good explanation of how the locomotive works from outside the locomotive and a tour/explaination of the controls inside the cab.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX9QOyxl_IQ
The video is about 36 minutes long.
The above Disney tour is in Florida and is very similar to the one I attended.
Just a note, If you watch the above video, you can hear the music (that is played at the beginning of the tour) even there are no visitors inside the gates. Kinda weird....
So, that's it.
If you visit, please post images!!!
Pat

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Oct 18, 2017 00:38:15   #
rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
 
I've always liked Steamtown in Scranton PA. They have some amazing hardware exhibits there.
The Strasburg Railroad in Strasburg PA may be small but they do a great job of preserving the steam Era heritage.

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Oct 18, 2017 04:09:44   #
Leicaflex Loc: Cymru
 
Thank you for these two great links, very interesting.
When it comes to steam locos, I have never grown-up
Thank you for posting.

Reply
 
 
Oct 18, 2017 05:10:54   #
birdmann Loc: Raleigh, NC, USA
 
Cass Scenic RR in Cass WV.
https://wvstateparks.com/park/cass-scenic-railroad-state-park/
Old logging railroad. They are running old steam geared locomotives. They offer steam excursions. There is a preserved company town and store.

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Oct 18, 2017 06:34:33   #
kvanhook Loc: Oriental, NC
 
Durango-Silverton narrow gauge in CO is wonderful. Lots of mountain scenery to enjoy. Smoky Mountain RR in NC is a nice ride also. I agree the Cumbres & Toltic Scenic Railroad has good photo ops around curves with lots of smoke and steam.

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Oct 18, 2017 07:21:13   #
roxiemarty Loc: Florida
 
We loved the Cumbres! Stayed in Chama, great area. Want to go back.

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Oct 18, 2017 07:27:13   #
BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD
 
Western Maryland Scenic RR running out of Cumberland, MD photo runs - plenty of stops fore the photogs to disembark to capture the engine coming and going, plenty of steam, whistles and a tunnel and a tunnel. Operates all year, and or buffs, you can purchase time in the engine cab.
One of the tours I took a guy rigged his camera pointing up in between the rails - well wrapped with a long cord.

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Oct 18, 2017 07:35:14   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
rmorrison1116 wrote:
I've always liked Steamtown in Scranton PA. They have some amazing hardware exhibits there.
The Strasburg Railroad in Strasburg PA may be small but they do a great job of preserving the steam Era heritage.


That's been on my list of "Places to See" for years.

Reply
Oct 18, 2017 07:35:27   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
Jay Pat wrote:
I have visited many working steam railroads around the US.
But, not all of them...

My favorite for an overall experience is the Cumbres & Toltic Scenic Railroad.
I prefer to ride the train out of Chama, NM due to the train has to climb up to Cumbres Pass at 10,000 feet in elevation.
Ride all the way to Antonito, CO so you can experience the two tunnels. There are bus options available.
There is an open car that all passengers can visit. There is no seating available in this open car, standing only. The country land is very open and you can get many, many images of the locomotive working hard and going around curves. Lots of hard chugging sounds and plenty of steam/black smoke blowing!
An extra day would be required to "chase" the train after it leaves Chama. You can capture many, many images of the whole train as it makes its climb up to Cumbres Pass.
Also, the yard is open to the public. You can wonder around the yard all you want. Just don't go into the shop as there are open pits and the management does not want you climbing on any structures or equipment.
https://cumbrestoltec.com/
Check youtube for more videos.

My favorite to learn about how a locomotive works and to ride behind one is to take the Disney World, "Behind the scenes" tour in Florida.
This is an early morning tour before the Disney Park opens up. Catch the train at 7am, I think (and don't be late or you will miss the tour).
This tour is unique in that you get a very good explanation of how the locomotive works from outside the locomotive and a tour/explaination of the controls inside the cab.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX9QOyxl_IQ
The video is about 36 minutes long.
The above Disney tour is in Florida and is very similar to the one I attended.
Just a note, If you watch the above video, you can hear the music (that is played at the beginning of the tour) even there are no visitors inside the gates. Kinda weird....
So, that's it.
If you visit, please post images!!!
Pat
I have visited many working steam railroads around... (show quote)


Thanks for that.

Reply
Oct 18, 2017 08:24:06   #
1Feathercrest Loc: NEPA
 
My father was a steamfitter for the DL&W RR in Scranton. This afforded me a free pass on the RR which I took from Lackawanna Station (now a Radisson Hotel) in Scranton to Penn Station in NYC (by steam locomotives). Fond memories before the advent of diesels (the Phoebe Snow being the premier). Saw many Broadway shows, B&B Circus (at the old Madison Square Garden) the Christmas displays at Macy's and Gimbels (which was across the street). This was all before everything (like the Broadway Shows became unaffordable). Used to eat at Horn & Hardart (the automat). NYC is now only for the affluent.

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Oct 18, 2017 08:38:18   #
jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana
 
I miss seeing the old steam trains running what was the Nickel Plate road from Lima, Ohio, to Frankfort, Indiana, and beyond. It's an N&S route now, running diesels--not the same.

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Oct 18, 2017 09:25:35   #
hookedupin2005 Loc: Northwestern New Mexico
 
Many years ago, I used to deliver coal to both Chama, and Antonito, for the trains....Unfortunately, I have never ridden the train....

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Oct 18, 2017 11:25:33   #
DonB Loc: Port Royal , Tn
 
Try the Cass Narrow Gage in Cass W.Va. Great logging railroad and many photo ops.

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Oct 18, 2017 11:50:53   #
dave.speeking Loc: Brooklyn OH
 
Age of Steam Roundhouse, Sugarcreek OH.
Brand new, old fashioned, locomotive facility.
Check out their website.

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Oct 18, 2017 14:35:21   #
BBurns Loc: South Bay, California
 
Fort Bragg, CA. Skunk Train - 2013



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