Autumn is a great time for railroad adventure. Give me days with cool air and sunny skies or days when a gentle rain glosses colored foliage. Decades ago, I’d embark on week-long trips in the Fall to explore my favorite railroads. I’d arrange my itinerary to make the most of the autumn foliage, carefully planning my travels based on where and when foliage was likely near its radiant peak.
I’d start with trips to Vermont at the end of September and early October, where I’d photograph the Central Vermont Railway (later New England Central) and Green Mountain Railroad — aiming to catch its vintage Rutland RS-1 working fall excursions. As the season progressed, I’d work my way down through the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, photographing Conrail on the old Boston & Albany — where blue diesels contrasted nicely against rusty leaves. Late October was reserved for the former Baltimore & Ohio, where I spent time on CSX’s Mountain Subdivision observing trains ascending the legendary Cranberry Grade, where a hidden-in-the-forest graveyard seemed made-to-order for the season. Exploring the West, I photographed trains crossing Tennessee Pass on Southern Pacific’s Rio Grande lines, where brilliant aspens caught the sun at an elevation of 10,000 feet. In 1995-96, SP was working its most modern power on unit coal and iron ore trains: brand new GE AC4400CWs, leading and with mid-train and rear-end DPUs. Following Union Pacific trains through California’s Feather River Canyon was always a pleasure in the autumn. Here, rock walls towered above trains slowly snaking along the canyon floor, where occasional brown or yellow trees mimicked the Armour Yellow of UP’s locomotives that provided an accent against evergreens that dotted the canyon walls.
Fall train ride roundup
Planning a fall getaway Autumn 2025 has lots to offer: Whether that’s photographing freight trains on your favorite mountain grades against a backdrop of colored leaves, going for a cross-country trip on Amtrak, or taking advantage of autumnal-themed excursions operated by various heritage railroads East and West. Here’s a sampling of seasonal train excursions.
Consider Vermont Rail System’s Champlain Valley Dinner Train that boards at the Burlington, Vt., Amtrak station in the evening Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays Sept. 14 through Nov. 1.
In the Upper Midwest, Wisconsin’s East Troy Electric is running its weekend Harvest Fest between the Elegant Farmer Station and East Troy.
In eastern Pennsylvania, Reading & Northern plans for a variety of autumn excursions centered on traveling to the historic town of Jim Thorpe for a several hour layover; on September weekends, trains from Reading Outer Station depart at 9am; on October weekends trips from Pottsville to Jim Thorpe depart at 8:30am. September and October weekend trips from Pittston Junction departing at 8:45am. These are all day journeys and return to their point of origin in the evening. R&N has a great variety of rolling stock on offer. On September 13, the railroad is running a special for the Mountain Top Rotary Club led by 4-8-4 No. 2102 that is scheduled between the Penobscot station and Jim Thorpe and will pass through the Lehigh Gorge. All tickets for this trip require advance purchase. Check R&N’s website for these and other autumn special trip.
If you are looking for just a short trip at Jim Thorpe, consider a spin on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway’s 45-minute Autumn Leaf trip. These trains depart on the hour from the former Central Railroad of New Jersey station near the center of town.
Here’s something to consider (I’m thinking about it!): in July the Virginia Scenic Railroad announced that it has a season of planned Shenandoah Valley Limited trips running behind Virginia Museum of Transportation’s former Norfolk & Western J-class 4-8-4 No. 611. This beautifully restored streamlined steam locomotive dressed in glossy black with accents of Tuscan and gold paint is well suited for autumnal trips on the Buckingham Branch Railroad. Tickets will be available for purchase by the general public in mid-August via Virginia Scenic Railway’s website. Seating options include Coach, Premium Coach, First Class, and Dome Classes. The trains are advertised to run from Victoria Station in Goshen, Va.
Speaking of Victoria Stations, if you are up for an elegant, super-posh once-in-a-lifetime railroad trip (and money isn’t a problem) nip over across the pond to the United Kingdom this autumn and take a ride Belmond’s luxury heritage excursions using the British Pullman train that departs from London’s Victoria Station. Belmond’s Moving Murder Mystery is scheduled for 10:55 departure from Victoria on October 1st. Prices start at £535 ($723) per person, however couples may book a private compartment (2 adults) for £1070 ($1,496). If that’s a little too steep, consider the slightly more economical the Great Pullman Sunday Lunch that departs Victoria at 11am on Sunday October 5. The fare is just £485 ($615).
If you just want to take a train ride and don’t want to pay for elegant extravagance, you can take a return trip aboard the Gatwick Express to and from Victoria to Gatwick Airport for just £32.80 ($44).
