Find Your Perfect Train Ride in Idaho Today

One of the most scenic rail trips in the northern part of the Rocky Mountains is Idaho’s only scenic train ride, the Thunder Mountain Line, that departs out of Horseshoe Bend and follows the Payette River.
Narrow gauge Eureka-Nevada Railway 2-6-2 No. 7 steam train rides can be found at the Silverwood Central Railway Theme Park.
There are 10 steam locomotives listed in Idaho, with most of them on display, and include UP No. 2-8-2 No. 2295 in Boise and Union Pacific Railroad No. 616 2-8-0 in Nampa.

Did you know?
Union Pacific’s mainline crosses the southern portion of the Gem state’s 1600 route miles between Portland, Ore and Wyoming.
BNSF crosses Idaho’s mountainous northern panhandle.
Union Pacfic has two north-south routes.
The Great Northwest Railway operates trackage west of Lewiston.
Idaho’s first railroad, the Utah Northern, began building from Ogden, Utah in 1874 and continued to Montana as the Utah & Northern Railroad from 1877 until 1880 and now operates under the UP.
Amtrak’s Empire Builder makes a stop at Sandpoint in both directions in the middle of the night.

Athole

Silverwood Central Railway/Theme Park

Silverwood Central Railway Theme Park includes a reproduction of a turn-of-the-century village, country carnival and a roller coaster. Scenic train rides operate on a 3.2 mile, 3-foot gauge railroad, with a former Eureka Nevada Railway No. 7 a 1915 Porter built 2-6-2 steam engine through the surrounding woods. Experience live Buffalo, an Indian encampment, and some shady characters who are up to no good. Twenty minute train ride departs for a replica Boston & Maine station in Greenwood, Massachusetts. Directions

Horseshoe Bend

Thunder Mountain Line Railroad

The Thunder Mountain Line Railroad is one of the most scenic train rides in the northern part of the Rocky Mountains. As your train follows the Payette River, you will often see wildlife such as deer,elk, fox bald eagles and osprey. Theme train rides include Easter Bunny Rail, Wild West Train Robbery, Mystery Theatre Dinner Train and Horseshoe Bend Express. Three different train trips are available. The Horseshoe Bend Express makes a 2 hour round trip following a old wagon road between Horseshoe Bend and Banks. The Cabarton Route adventure begins in the mountain community of Cascade and travels along remote stretches of the pristine Payette River, under the historic Rainbow Bridge, through a steel trestle, and through the shortest rock tunnel in the nation. The third rail excursion is the Montour Route begins in historic Horseshoe Bend and travels westbound to the old railroad shipping and ranching town of Montour. Each scenic train ride runs about a hour and a half, round-trip. Scenic train rides operate from March through December. Directions.

Nampa

Canyon County Historical Museum

The Canyon County Historical Museum is housed in a 1903 building that once served as the Oregon Short Line depot until 1925, at which time it was used as offices for the Union Pacific Railroad. Displays include both Union Pacific and local historical photos and memorabilia. The museum also has a donated Union Pacific caboose.

Wallace

Northern Pacific Depot Railroad Museum

The Northern Pacific Depot Railroad Museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and served as a station until the 1980’s. Pictorial exhibits and railroad artifacts. Ph. 208-752-0111.