All aboard for the red, white and blue! Vintage steam engines and golden-age diesel locomotives across US will lead a patriotic-themed line-up of rail-e-brations this Independence Day. And, because this year Fourth-of-July fallss on a Sunday – right in the middle of a three-day holiday weekend – many railroads will be running Independence Weekend specials on Saturday and Monday, too!
While remnants of the coronavirus may still linger, it’s full steam ahead for an increasing number of railways from coast to coast. So you may find some railroads are forgoing traditional fireworks and foodie trains this year. No worries, though… there’ll be more than enough fresh air, scenic panoramas, and selfie ops to make this year’s batch of Fourth-of-July train ride events memorable – and fun!
For most folks tired of sheltering in place, the opportunity to hit the tracks and go for a ride is a true celebration of independence! And while safe-practices like social distancing and face coverings are still recommended or required – there are no restrictions when it comes to spending a great family day out.
In New England, Fireworks and hot dogs add up to fun for folks aboard the 4th of July Family Party Train at New Hampshire’s Hobo Railroad. In Massachusetts, both the Cape Flyer’s Boston to Cape Cod service and the Hoosac Berkshire Valley Train scenic runs operate through Monday, the 5th. In Connecticut, the Danbury Railway Museum celebrates its post-pandemic reopening on the holiday weekend with free rides for everyone! The Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum gets a jump on the holiday with a Friday night Ice Cream Train!
The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad extends the Friday night Ice Cream Train theme to the Mid Atlantic US. Elsewhere across the region, Pennsylvania’s Stourbridge Line runs its annual July 4th Parade Flyer through the Northern Pocono Mountains while that state’s Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad honors veterans and active military personnel with a special holiday discount fare! After dark, Delaware’s Wilmington & Western Railroad and Pennsylvania’s Colebrookdale Railroad will both host July 4th Fireworks Express specials.
Railroads across the Southern US will be reaching for the stars this Independence Day Weekend. In Georgia, holiday pyrotechnics get a head start with the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway Firework Special and the SAM Shortline Excursion Train’s Plains, Trains and Fireworks train both running on the 3rd. On the 4th, North Carolina’s Tweetsie Railroad Fireworks Extravaganza hits the tracks and in Tennessee the RTA’s Music City Star train will connect with the Nashville Riverfront fireworks celebration. In Alabama, active military and veterans will ride for free aboard the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum’s Stars & Stripes Special.
A wide variety of Independence Weekend events are planned at Midwest US railroads. In Indiana, you can have breakfast with the train crew at the Hesston Steam Museum, catch a Wild West Hold-up reenactment at the French Lick Railway, or a Civil War skirmish reenactment at the Whitewater Valley Railroad. Elsewhere across the region, Minnesota’s North Shore Scenic Railroad hosts a Summer Barbecue Train, and fireworks excursions are planned at Illinois’s Monticello Railway Museum and Michigan’s Steam Railroading Institute.
Railroads in the Southwest US are planning special salutes to the nation’s birthday. In Texas, the Austin Steam Train’s Independence Day Express will chug across the countryside on Saturday the 3rd while the Lone Star State’s Historic Jefferson Railway will offer free rides to all active military personnel aboard its 4th of July Weekend Trains. Military personnel will enjoy a specil discount on the Oklahoma Railway Museum’s Independence Day Train. And Arizona’s Verde Canyon Railroad will welcome all to its Firecracker Express event complete with BBQ and a live bald eagle experience!
July 4th Weekend brings a range of rail events to the Western US. Colorado’s Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad’s Devils Tail BBQ Special signals good eatin’ ahead and Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad’s Fireworks Spectacular will be right on track. For double the fun in California check out the Roaring Camp Railroad’s Great Train Robbery reenactment/BBQ combo the Fillmore & Western Railroad’s Firecracker Train plus BBQ dinner special. On Monday the 5th, Utah’s Heber Valley Railroad starts the day with its annual Freedom Train – and veterans and active military personnel ride for free!
Fourth-of-July Train Ride schedules vary. While most railroads will host events on Independence Day, July 4th; some railroads have scheduled holiday train rides on one or more days between Friday, July 3rd and Sunday, July 5th. Check with individual railroads for exact dates and times and remember that advance reservations are required or advisable in most instances. To find additional heritage railways planning Independence Day Weekend events check out the complete Train Traveling guide to Train Rides.
