Find Your Perfect Train Ride in Massachusetts Today

Cape Cod Central Railroad is one of two scenic train rides in Massachusetts. The CCCR operates over former New York, New Haven & Hartford rail lines with diesel power scenic excursions and Dinner Trains from Memorial weekend through October. The Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum operates diesel excursions trains along the scenic Housatonic River on weekends and holidays. The family amusement park Edaville USA operates Day Out With Thomas train rides.
There are 11 steam locomotives listed in Massachusetts. The only operational steam locomotive is the narrow gauge Fiji Island Sugar 0-6-0T, No. 21 at Edaville USA. The standard gauge 2-6-2 Bonhomie & Hattiesburg Southern Railroad No. 250 is on display in South Cater and the 1911 built Boston & Maine 0-6-0 No. 410 is on display at the Lowell National Historic Park.

Did you know?

The first subway in the U.S. began in Boston in 1897. Today, the MBTA is the nations 5th largest transit system, transporting over 390 million passengers a year. The Granite Railway was the first railroad chartered in Massachusetts in 1826. The railway was built to transport granite from Quincy to a dock on the Neponset River in Milton.
Passengers and freight today travel over the states 1000+ route miles. The state has claim to the longest section of 150-mph track in the U.S., it is on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor route, at 10.5 miles. Amtrak trains include the Lake Shore Limited, and the Downeaster, as well as several shuttles from New Haven to the Vermonter.

Beverly

Walker Transportation Collection, Beverly Historical Society &Museum

The Beverly Historical Society & Museum displays early New England railroad photographs as well as rotating exhibits of historical memorabilia from the area.

Chatham

Chatham Railroad Museum

This 1887 Victorian building used to be the Chatham Railroad Station and it served a small connection line to Harwich. The seven mile long line to Harwich was built in seven days. The last time the station operated as such was on July 5th, 1937. The building was abandoned until 1960 when after restoration, it opened as a museum. The Chapman Railroad Museum is owned by the town and run by volunteers. In front of the building there is an original caboose built in 1910 that was used by New York Central. Admission free open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.

Fall River

Old Colony & Fall River Railroad Museum

The Old Colony & Fall River Railroad Museum is housed in a restored depot located on its original site. Hundreds of railroad artifacts from the Chatham Railroad Company along with other railroads, including a 1910 New York Central caboose.Directions

Hyannis

Cape Cod Central Railroad

Riding aboard the Cape Cod Central Railroad, you feel the thrill of adventure as the whistle blows and your fun-filled scenic train ride begins begins. The rhythm of the train and the spirit of the crew will whisk you away on an exhilarating two-hour journey by rail. You’ll pass beautiful cranberry bogs, natural woodlands, lush marshes and more as you make your way between Hyannis and the Cape Cod Canal. Special event train rides include several dinner trains, a Halloween train, a scenic fun train, and a rail/sail combination ride. The one hour, Hy-Line Boat Cruise tours out of Hyannis Harbor, sail out to the Kennedy Compound. Take in the pristine shoreline, sparkling emerald waters and fresh salt air on the old-time Maine coastal steamer replicas. Dine aboard the Elegant Dinner Train with its excellent New England cuisine while crossing the historic Cape Cod Canal railroad bridge (the longest railroad lift bridge in the world at the time it was built) before entering the historic Cape Cod village of Buzzards Bay. Listed in Parade’s “Unforgettable Day Trips by Rail”. Directions

Lenox

Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum

Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum offers scenic train rides that follow the picturesque Housatonic River between Lenox and Stockbridge. Museum is housed in a restored 1903 era train depot. Train rides run Saturdays and Sundays and major holidays from Memorial Day to late October. There are two departure times for this 90 minute, 20 mile round trip. Fall Foliage, Halloween Trains and Polar Express Trains available in season. Beginning in late 2015, the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum started new excursion service through the Hoosac Valley between Adams and North Adams on Pan Am Railway-owned track. Directions

Lowell

Lowell National Historic Park

One of the Lowell National Historic Park exhibits features the former Boston & Maine steam locomotive, #410 and a B & M combine car,as well as open air trolleys. Exhibit is managed by volunteers of the Boston & Maine Railroad Historical Society.

Shelburne Falls

Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum

The Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum features a scenic 15 minute trolley ride, aboard a restore 1896 trolley, complete with a interpretive narrative by the motorman. Museum also displays railroad and trolley artifacts, a steam locomotive and a caboose. Directions

South Carver

Edaville USA

Edaville USA is a family fun park, featuring a two-mile train ride through a 1300-acre cranberry plantation. Special train events include “Day Out With Thomas™. Along with the National Cranberry Festival, you can also enjoy the New England tradition that features millions of lights and displays in a spectacular holiday celebration. during the winter months. Visitors can meet Santa, listen to carols and ride the train past an explosion of holiday lights and decorations. In addition, on Friday nights in December also feature fireworks shows. Directions