Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Ride behind a 1912 restored locomotive, the "3716," in a vintage passenger coach or open-air car on this historic Okanagan rail, built to carry British Columbia's fruit to world markets. The 10-mile journey twists around orchards and vineyards to the Trout Creek Trestle Bridge, 238 feet above the canyon floor. Special event trips include a "Great Train Robbery," a "Trick or Treat Train" and a "Christmas Train."
Kettle Valley Steam Railway
PO Box 1288,
18404 Bathville Road
Summerland, BC
Canada
V0H1Z0
250-494-8422
kettlevalleyrail.org
The locomotives at Roaring Camp, built in 1890, are some of the oldest and most authentically preserved narrow-gauge steam engines offering regularly scheduled passenger service in America. The Redwood Forest Steam Train tour winds up a steep grade to Bear Mountain over trestles and in and out of redwood groves. For a special event, take a "Moonlight Steam Train Dinner Party" tour on a flashlight-lit train through a redwood forest followed by a mountaintop bonfire.
Roaring Camp Railroads
P.O. Box G-1
Felton, CA 95018
831-335-4484
roaringcamprr.com
Although this line was originally built in 1882 to transport gold and silver from the San Juan Mountains, it was chosen by passengers from the beginning for the spectacular scenery. The locomotives are 100 percent coal-fired and steam operated year-round, and the line has been in continual service for 128 years. The steam train tour crisscrosses the Animas River, one of the last free-flowing rivers in the western United States. Coach options include Pullman berths with opening windows, open air carriages and an outdoor platform for unfettered views of canyons and snow-capped peaks.
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
479 Main Ave
Durango, CO 81301
970-247-2733
durangotrain.com
The Grand Canyon Railway's 1923 Baldwin 4960 locomotive is steam powered by waste vegetable oil.The steamer pulling open air coaches will be rolled out with the "Cataract Creek Rambler" tour and a trip to the South Rim at select dates during 2010. Gordon Taylor, general manager of the Grand Canyon Railway, said that the company is looking forward to a future as an eco-friendly railway, starting with this refurbished locomotive.
Grand Canyon Railway
233 N. Grand Canyon Blvd.
Williams, Arizona 86046
1-800-843-8724
thetrain.com
The narrow gauge railroad of White Pass and Yukon is an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, built against great odds during the Klondike Gold Rush in 1898. Ride a vintage parlor car pulled by one of the steam locomotives, Engine No. 73 or Engine No.69, on the Fraser Meadow Steam Excursion, with cliff-hanging turns and spectacular scenery beyond the summit to the meadow.
White Pass & Yukon Railroad
231 Second Avenue (corner of Second & Spring)
P.O. Box 435
Skagway, AK 99840-0435
1-800-343-7373
wpyr.com