Scenic and Historical Train Rides Across New England

Looking to get the most out of your fall day trip? Featured below are 3 different train rides across New England that allow people to combine activities such as road-tripping, hiking, biking, having a picnic, shopping, or sightseeing in a single day. Traveling on these trains will make passengers feel like they have been sent back in time riding on railcars that are over a century old. Many of the rides pass historical sites that are at times only accessible by train. Vermont’s Green Mountain Railroad offers three round trip train rides, the White River Junction in Hartford, VT to Thetford, VT or Montshire, VT, and Montshire to Thetford. Scenic views of the Connecticut River and the White Mountain Foothills are visible from the railway. Coming this fall is the Glory Days Dinner Train, a rail service that provides an exquisite dinner aboard the White River Flyer. You can enjoy a beautiful dinner while meandering into the sunset. One ticket includes a 3-hour ride, dinner, cash bar, and entertainment along the White River.

The Maine Eastern Railroad is a 57-mile track that operates from May through the fall, servicing four points between Brunswick, ME and Rockland, ME. The Maine Eastern passenger fleet is comprised of restored streamlined stainless steel railcars from the 1940’s and 1950’s and has recently been fully rebuilt to today’s standards of safety and comfort. The 54-seat coach cars are accompanied by a restored railway dining car that provides passengers with snacks and beverages, served cafe style. Passengers should consider upgrading their ticket to Maine Eastern’s lounge class, which offers leather captain’s chairs, where you’ll have a front row seat to some of Maine’s most breathtaking seascapes from expansive windows. Along the way, you’ll spot charming, historical seaside villages like Bath, ME and Wicasset, ME. Boothbay Harbor is another attraction for sailing, shopping, concerts, and many other activities.

Rhode Island’s Old Colony and Newport Railway on 19 America’s Cup Ave, Newport RI allows passengers to relax in a 1904 open platform coach car or an 1884 Parlor car. The ten-mile route runs along the eastern shore of Narragansett Bay. Both the coach and parlor cars are heated by potbelly stoves and feature wicker chairs facing the scenic bay. Along the train ride, passengers enjoy a continuous view of Jamestown Island and the Quonset Point area. Many power- and sail- craft tugs with barges and tankers bringing home petroleum products to New England are visible as well. Old Colony and Newport Railway trains leave from the OCNRR Depot at Newport RI., across from the Newport RI Convention and Visitors Bureau & Bus Station and just North of the Marriott Hotel.