Find Your Perfect Train Ride in New Jersey Today

Three scenic train rides are operating in New Jersey today. The Cape May Shore Lines, the Black River & Western Railroad, and theme trains rides at the Whippany Railway Museum all offer great experiences for the whole family.
One of New Jersey’s popular steam train rides is pulled by New York, Susquehanna & Western 2-8-2 #142 on the Delaware River Railroad Excursion.
Take the family on one of New Jersey’s popular North Pole Express Train rides in season on the Black River & Western Railroad or ride the Santa Express on the Cape May Sea Shores Lines. The New Jersey Museum of Transportation operates the Pine Creek Railroad and daily train rides are only $4.

Did you know?

John Bull, a 10-ton locomotive, was built in England by Robert Stephenson & Co. for Pennsylvania’s first railroad, the Camden & Amboy Railroad, in 1825. The railroad would later go on to become the Pennsylvania Railroad and ran from Bordentown to South Amboy by 1833.
From 1840 -1904, Patterson, NJ was a major locomotive manufacturing center that produced more that 10,000 steam engines. Today, 18 steam locomotives are listed in New Jersey, though most of them are either on display or in storage. One notable exception is the Great Western Railroad 2-8-0 No. 60, that is still hauling tourists today on the Black River & Western Railroad. The 1907 BLW Southern 2-8-0 No. 385 steam engine now is on display at the Whippany Railway Museum after its retirement from hauling tourists in 1978.
Today, Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor and the NJT run over 300 trains a day between New York City and Rahway. New Jersey railroads transport over 16 million people in the New York area alone in one day and Norfolk Southern maintains 933 miles of track.

Boonton

United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey

The United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey is a collection of 71 pieces of rolling stock spanning the years 1899 through 1972 that are being restored to eventually go the proposed New Jersey Transportation Heritage Center. Restored locomotive power is represented by but not limited to the New York Central Railroad E8A #4076 and the Pennsylvania Railroad GG-1 #4346. Fall Foliage excursions include the NYC Hickory Creek Pullman Lookout Lounge car.

Cape May

Cape May Seashore Lines

 

Cape May Sea Shores Lines operates a 22 mile train ride and a 30 mile round trip train ride between Richland and Tuckahoe. Sit back and enjoy a comfortable, relaxing trip back in time when taking the train to the shore was an exciting and memorable experience. Enjoy the same experience today as you ride the original equipment operated in south Jersey by the Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines, the Reading Company and the Pennsylvania Railroad. Box lunches are available, including kid’s favorites, as well as cartoon Character Train cars providing fun and entertainment for all. You may also wish to enjoy a train ride in a historic former New York Central Café Car on your journey to Tuckahoe while learning the many interesting facets of wine. And don’t forget the Santa Express train ride during the holidays. Directions.

Farmington

Pine Creek Railroad

 

The New Jersey Museum of Transportation operates vintage locomotives on the Pine Creek Railroad regularly on weekends from April until December. Trains rides run every half hour providing a scenic train ride through beautiful Allaire State Park. Rare vintage pieces of railway equipment are on display in the museum’s restoration shops. This is one of the oldest all-volunteer operating railway museum exhibits in the United States.
Christmas Express train rides begin at the end of November and run until just before the December holiday.

Flemington

Black River & Western Railroad

 

The Black River & Western Railroad has several themed train rides, including the Great Train Robbery, a Trick or Treat Express, a Santa Train ride and the always popular North Pole Express Train ride during the holidays. This is a historical trust dedicated to the preservation of the history and the heritage of railroading. Special event scenic train rides are headed by 2-8-0 Great Western #60.

Maywood

Maywood Station Museum

The Maywood Station Museum is housed in a restored 1872 Victorian style station used by the New York, Susquehanna & Western (NYS&W) railroad. The all-volunteer New York Susquehanna & Western Technical & Historical Society, Inc.displays include a restored vintage New York, Susquehanna & Western 1942 ALCO S-2 locomotive #206. Railroad exhibits include a model train display and a restored caboose. Location

Phillipsburg

 

Delaware River Railroad Excursions operates themed train rides that include a Santa Claus Train and an Easter Bunny Train Ride. The Delaware River Railroad operates a Chinese built Mikado steam locomotive, the New York, Susquehana & Western Railroad 2-8-2, No.142. The Warren County Winery Train also operates a steam train ride along the Delaware River that includes a short bus ride through rolling farmlands as you arrive at the Villa Milagro Vineyards. You will have an opportunity sample their delicious wines and to purchase them from the vineyard.

Phillipsburg Railroad Historians

Phillipsburg is rich in railroad history, that at on time was served by five different railroads. In addition to the CNJ and DL&W, the PRR, LV and L&HR railroads also stopped in Phillipsburg. Museum features a miniature train ride, full-size railroad restored equipment and a NJ public service trolley. Gift shop and free admission. Directions

Ringoes

Black River & Western Railroad

The Black River & Western Railroad operates theme train rides and a museum. The railroad has two public train stations: one at Ringoes and one at Flemington.

Whippany

Whippany Railway Museum

 

The Southern Railway 2-8-0 No. 385 engine, a tourist hauler prior to its 1978 retirement, is now on display at the Whippany Railway Museum. The museum includes a model train layout and displays showing the history of the railroad through representative models, historic photographs, and rare paperwork. The history of New Jersey’s railroads comes alive within the walls of the museum’s freight house. Annual train ride excursions include the Easter Bunny Express, Pumpkin Festival and a Santa Claus Special train ride. Directions