Thunder Mountain Line's Montour Route is a westward route that begins at the historic Horseshoe Bend train depot and ends in Montour, a historic ranching and shipping town about 20 miles north of Boise. The Montour Route is used for some special events like December's North Pole Express, a three-and-a-half hour family event including milk, cookies, Christmas carols, storytelling and a visit from Santa, and the Pumpkin Liner, a three-hour trip to a pumpkin patch held in October. The regular route to Montour is a one-and-a-half-hour round trip. The Black Canyon Sunset Train also utilizes the Montour Route for two-and-a-half-hour round trips to the Black Canyon Dam. Trains include restrooms, enclosed cars with air conditioning and a concession car. This route is open from May through December.
The Horseshoe Bend Route begins at the Horseshoe Bend train depot and travels northward along the Payette River to end in the historic settlement of Banks, Idaho. Scenery includes the river, the Old Wagon Road and the Boise National Forest. Special events held on the Horseshoe Bend Route provide musical entertainment, and the regular route includes a refreshment car that offers snacks for the trip. One of the special trips along the Horseshoe Bend Route is Dinner by the River, a trip up the Payette River that stops in Banks, where passengers enjoy live music and dinner cooked outdoors by Dutch oven. Trains include restrooms and enclosed cars with air conditioning. The Horseshoe Bend Route operates March through December.
The Cabarton Route departs from the Ashley Inn in the mountain town of Cascade. It travels along the Payette River and ends at Smiths Ferry. Scenery along the way includes the river, historic Rainbow Bridge, the shortest rock tunnel in the United States and a steel train trestle. Trains include restrooms, enclosed cars with air conditioning and a concession car. The Cabarton Route operates from May through October, but as of September 2010 the route was closed for renovations.
