Railfan Events & Excursions Calendar

This page provides a calendar of upcoming railfan events and excursions throughout North America. For tourist railroads offering regularly scheduled steam excursions, please see the Tourist Railroads & Museums Pages. Past railfan events may be found on the Railfan Events Archive Page with photos at SteamPhotos.com. To add your event or excursion to this page, please Submit Your Event. Last updated January 26, 2012.

FEATURED EVENT

September 14-16: North Platte Rail Fest
Annual celebration with railroad equipment displays (including UP 4-8-4 #844), Bailey Yard tours, model train expo, art show, food, entertainment, carnival rides, and more - North Platte, Nebraska
More information: North Platte Rail Fest

FEBRUARY 2012

February 3-5: Nevada Northern Railway "Winter Steam Spectacular"
Three days of freight and passenger trains with 2-8-0 #93 and 4-6-0 #40 - Ely, Nevada
More information: Nevada Northern Railway
Photos: Nevada Northern Railway Winter Steam Spectacular

February 4: Wilmington Chapter NRHS "Super Saturday Streetcar Special XIX"
Kawasaki light rail cars to operate on Route 15 (Girard Ave) with photo stops - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
More information: Wilmington Chapter, National Railroad Historical Society

February 8: Virginia & Truckee Railroad Photo Charter
V&T 2-8-0 #29 leads a photo charter between Virginia City and Carson City, Nevada
More information: Lerro Productions

February 10-12: Nevada Northern Railway "Winter Steam Spectacular"
Three days of freight and passenger trains with 2-8-0 #93 and 4-6-0 #40 - Ely, Nevada
More information: Nevada Northern Railway
Photos: Nevada Northern Railway Winter Steam Spectacular

February 14: Grand Canyon Railway Steam Excursion to the Canyon
Steam-powered excursion to the Grand Canyon using 2-8-2 #4960 - Williams, Arizona
More information: Grand Canyon Railway
Photos: Grand Canyon Railway Steam Photos

February 18-19: Durango & Silverton "Winter Photo Train"
Annual photo special to Cascade Canyon, plus night photo session in Durango, Colorado
More information: Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
Photos: Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Photos

February 25: Rio Grande Scenic Railroad "Photo Enhanced Train"
Diesel-powered winter special over La Veta Pass with three photo stops - Alamosa, Colorado
More information: Rio Grande Scenic Railroad
Photos: Rio Grande Scenic Railroad Photo Gallery

MARCH 2012

March 11: Niles Canyon Railway Photographer's Special
Photo runbys with passenger and freight trains in Niles Canyon, including Quincy 2-6-2T #2 - Sunol, California
More information: Niles Canyon Railway

March 24-25: Niles Canyon Railway "Steam Weekend"
Excursions with Southern Pacific 4-6-2 #2472 through Niles Canyon - Sunol, California
More information: Golden Gate Railroad Museum

March 24-25: Fillmore & Western Railway RailFest 2012
Baldwin 2-8-0 #14 leads excursions plus speeder rides and model train displays - Fillmore, California
More information: Fillmore & Western Railway

March 31: Rio Grande Scenic Railroad "Photo Enhanced Train"
Diesel-powered winter special over La Veta Pass with three photo stops - Alamosa, Colorado
More information: Rio Grande Scenic Railroad
Photos: Rio Grande Scenic Railroad Photo Gallery

March 31 - April 1: Union Pacific Steam at North Little Rock
UP 4-8-4 #844 expected at North Little Rock, Arkansas
Details forthcoming: Union Pacific 150th Anniversary
Photos: Union Pacific 844 Photos

APRIL 2012

April 2-5: La Plata Spring 2012 Railfan Event
Four days of railfanning in and around La Plata, Missouri
More information: TrainWeb

April 7: Camak Railroad Days Festival
Festival with railroad memorabilia, model railroad layouts, and more in Camak, Georgia
More information: Camak Railroad Days Festival

April 12-15: Amory Railroad Festival
Festival with entertainment, car show, and museum events, celebrating railroad history in Amory, Mississippi
More information: Amory Railroad Festival

April 14: Folkston's Annual "Rail Watch" 2012
Train watching, photo contest, and vendors at the train viewing platform in Folkston, Georgia
Details forthcoming: Okefenokee Chamber of Commerce

April 20 - May 13: Union Pacific Steam Excursion
UP 4-8-4 #844 to appear at festivals in San Antonio, New Orleans, El Reno, and Council Bluffs
Details forthcoming: Union Pacific 150th Anniversary
Photos: Union Pacific 844 Photos

April 21-22: San Bernardino Railroad Days
AT&SF 4-8-4 #3751 leads a public excursion from Los Angeles to San Bernardino, California, and return
More information: San Bernardino History & Railroad Museum

April 22: Grand Canyon Railway Steam Excursion to the Canyon
Steam-powered excursion to the Grand Canyon using 2-8-2 #4960 - Williams, Arizona
More information: Grand Canyon Railway
Photos: Grand Canyon Railway Steam Photos

MAY 2012

May 4-6: New York Central System Historical Society (NYCSHS) Annual Meeting
Photo session, tower and yard tours, historical presentations, train show, and more - Elkhart, Indiana
More information: NYCSHS

May 5-6: CALS at Cass 2012
Photo special at the Cass Scenic Railroad with trips to Bald Knob and Spruce - Cass, West Virginia
More information: CALS at Cass
Photos: Cass Scenic Railroad Photo Gallery

May 5-6: Texas State Railroad Railfest 2012
Steam excursion, photo special, night photo session, shop tours, and more - Rusk, Texas
More information: Texas State Railroad

May 5-6: Fullerton Railroad Days
Vintage and modern railroad equipment on display, plus model train layouts - Fullerton, California
More information: Fullerton Railroad Days

May 11-13: Friends of the 261 Excursion to National Train Day
Private passenger cars on Amtrak's Empire Builder from Minneapolis to National Train Day in Chicago
More information: Friends of the 261

May 12: National Train Day
Activities, equipment displays, promotions, and entertainment at Washington, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Los Angeles, plus additional events at stations and railroad museums nationwide
Details forthcoming: National Train Day

May 12: Big South Fork Scenic Railway "K&T Railfan Day"
Train excursions with runbys, shop tours, mining camp tour, and more - Stearns, Kentucky
More information: Big South Fork Scenic Railway

May 12-13: Grand Canyon Railway "Cataract Creek Rambler" Steam Excursions
Eight-mile, hourly steam excursions behind Grand Canyon 2-8-2 #4960 - Williams, Arizona
More information: Grand Canyon Railway
Photos: Grand Canyon Railway Steam Photos

May 12-13: Western Maryland Scenic Railroad Spring Steam Photo Freight Special
LS&I 2-8-0 #734 leads an 11-car freight. Coach, diner, and WM GP-30 uncoupled for 25+ photo runbys.
More information: Contact Carl Franz 240-720-8686 or cmfrr@aol.com.
Photos: Western Maryland Scenic Railroad Photos

May 14-19: Grand Canyon Limited to Celebrate the Arizona Centennial (tentative)
AT&SF 4-8-4 #3751 to power an excursion from Los Angeles to Williams, Arizona, plus a doubleheaded trip on the Grand Canyon Railway with both 3751 and CB&Q 2-8-2 #4960.
More information: Trains & Travel International and Central Coast Railway Club
Photos: Grand Canyon Railway Photos

May 14: Los Angeles to Parker (337 miles)
May 15: Parker to Williams (256 miles)
May 16: Williams to Grand Canyon round-trip (127 miles)
May 17: Layover in Williams
May 18: Williams to Parker (256 miles)
May 19: Parker to Los Angeles (337 miles)

Note the itinerary change as of January 25.

May 18-20: Cass Scenic Railroad Railfan Weekend
Three days of photographer specials and railfan events at the Cass Scenic Railroad - Cass, West Virginia
More information: Mountain State Railroad & Logging Historical Association (MSR&LHA)
Photos: Cass Railfan Weekend Photo Gallery

May 18-20: Durand Railroad Days
Annual festival with train rides, entertainment and model railroads - Durand, Michigan
More information: Durand Railroad Days

May 19: Cheyenne Depot Days & Union Pacific Steam Open House
Public tours of the UP steam shop and roundhouse, plus model trains and railroad art - Cheyenne, Wyoming
More information: Cheyenne Depot Museum
Photos: Frontier Days Trains & Cheyenne Shops

May 19: Painesville Depot Rail Fanning Day
Watch and photograph CSX trains passing the historic Painesville Depot - Painesville, Ohio
More information: Western Reserve Railroad Association

May 19-20: The Hub Division's East Wind: Maine Railfan Charter Weekend
Charter on the Maine Eastern Railroad (with photo runbys) and Wiscasset Waterville & Farmington Railway
More information: NMRA HUB Division

May 21-22: Valley Railroad Photo Charter
Newly restored "New Haven #3025" (a Chinese SY 2-8-2 Mikado) leads passenger and freight trains, plus a night photo session - Essex, Connecticut
More information: Lerro Productions

May 25-27: Katy Days Festival
Celebration of railroad heritage in Parsons, Kansas
More information: Katy Days

May 26-28: Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad Steam Excursions
Steam excursions with Santa Fe 4-6-2 #3415 from Abilene, Kansas
More information: Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad

May 26-28: Niles Canyon Railway "Steam Weekend"
Excursions with Southern Pacific 4-6-2 #2472 through Niles Canyon - Sunol, California
More information: Golden Gate Railroad Museum

 Sponsors

JUNE 2012

June 1-3: Jackalope Railroad Days
Wyoming train photography, art exhibition, and model railroad expo - Douglas, Wyoming
Details forthcoming: Converse County Wyoming

June 2: Grand Canyon Railway Steam Excursion to the Canyon
Steam-powered excursion to the Grand Canyon using 2-8-2 #4960 - Williams, Arizona
More information: Grand Canyon Railway
Photos: Grand Canyon Railway Steam Photos

June 2: 18th Annual Manassas Heritage Railway Festival
Model train displays, vendors, and hourly excursions on Virginia Railway Express - Manassas, Virginia
More information: Historic Manassas Inc

June 2: Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum "Summerville Steam Special"
Southern 2-8-0 #630 leads a trip from Chattanooga, Tennessee (Grand Jct. Station) to Summerville, Georgia
More information: Tennessee Valley Railroad

June 9: Rocky Mountain Region NMRA Convention - Cumbres & Toltec Freight Special
Mixed freight train with photo runbys from Chama to Big Horn Wye and return - Chama, New Mexico
More information: Rocky Mountain Region NMRA
Photos: Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Freight Train Photos

June 9: Grand Canyon Railway "Cataract Creek Rambler" Steam Excursions
Eight-mile, hourly steam excursions behind Grand Canyon 2-8-2 #4960 - Williams, Arizona
More information: Grand Canyon Railway
Photos: Grand Canyon Railway Steam Photos

June 17-25: NRHS 2012 Convention
Two excursions with Iowa Interstate QJ steam locomotives, two diesel-powered excursions on the Iowa Northern, diesel-powered excursion on the Crandic to Iowa City, plus inbound/outbound Amtrak charter from Chicago - Cedar Rapids, Iowa
More information: National Railway Historical Society (NRHS)
Photos: TrainFestival 2011 w/ Iowa Interstate QJs

June 23-24: Galesburg Railroad Days
Annual railroad festival and train show in Galesburg, Illinois
More information: Galesburg Railroad Days

June 23-24: Goleta Railroad Days
Live steam train rides, handcar rides, equipment displays, model trains, and more - Goleta, California
More information: South Coast Railroad Museum

June 30: Steamtown Founders Day Excursion to Delaware Water Gap
104-mile round-trip to Delaware Water Gap, motive power TBD - Scranton, Pennsylvania
Details forthcoming: Steamtown National Historic Site
Photos: Steamtown Photo Gallery

JULY 2012

July 4: Grand Canyon Railway Steam Excursion to the Canyon
Steam-powered excursion to the Grand Canyon using 2-8-2 #4960 - Williams, Arizona
More information: Grand Canyon Railway
Photos: Grand Canyon Railway Steam Photos

July 4: Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad Steam Excursions
Steam excursions with Santa Fe 4-6-2 #3415 from Abilene, Kansas
More information: Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad

July 7-8: Prairie Village Railroad Days
Train rides, carousel rides, and motorcar rides, plus roundhouse tours - Prairie Village, South Dakota
More information: Historic Prairie Village

July 14-15: Clamshell Railroad Days
Pullman car tour, rail history slideshow, bus tour of old rail lines, and model train displays; Ilwaco, Washington
More information: Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum

July 14-15: Omaha Railroad Days
Celebration at five area railroad-themed attractions including the UP Railroad Museum- Omaha, Nebraska
Details forthcoming: Omaha Railroad Days

July 21: Denver Post Cheyenne Frontier Days Train
UP 4-8-4 #844 powers the annual excursion from Denver, Colorado to Cheyenne, Wyoming and return
More information: Cheyenne Frontier Days Train
Photos: Cheyenne Frontier Days Train Photos

July 28-29: Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad Steam Excursions
Steam excursions with Santa Fe 4-6-2 #3415 from Abilene, Kansas
More information: Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad

AUGUST 2012

August 3-5: CSXT Historical Society Railfanning Weekend
Three days of railfanning in the Greater Cincinnati area - Covington, Kentucky
More information: CSX Transportation Historical Society

August 8-12: Union Pacific Steam at Iowa State Fair
UP 4-8-4 #844 expected at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, Iowa
Details forthcoming: Union Pacific 150th Anniversary
Photos: Union Pacific 844 Photos

August 10-12: North Shore Scenic Railroad Steam Excursions
Soo Line 4-6-2 #2719 powers six-hour excursions from Duluth to Two Harbors, Michigan
More information: North Shore Scenic Railroad

August 17-19: Snoqualmie Railroad Days
Train rides, railroad demonstrations, model railroad layouts, and more - Snoqualmie, Wisconsin
More information: Northwest Railway Museum

August 17-19: North Shore Scenic Railroad Steam Excursions
Soo Line 4-6-2 #2719 powers six-hour excursions from Duluth to Two Harbors, Michigan
More information: North Shore Scenic Railroad

August 17-19: Portola Railroad Days
Festival of railroad heritage in Portola, California, with charter train through the Feather River Canyon
Details forthcoming: Portola Railroad Days

August 18-19: Stonefield Railroad Days
Depot and caboose tours, model train layouts, and more - Stonefield, Wisconsin
More information: Wisconsin Historical Society

August 24-26: North Shore Scenic Railroad Steam Excursions
Soo Line 4-6-2 #2719 powers six-hour excursions from Duluth to Two Harbors, Michigan
More information: North Shore Scenic Railroad

August 26 - September 3: Williams Grove Historical Steam Engine Association "Steam Show"
Pennsy B4a 0-6-0 #643 operates during the annual steam show - Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
More information: Williams Grove Historical Steam Engine Association

August 30 - September 3: Midwest Old Threshers Reunion
Midwest Central Railroad operates steam locomotives during the festival - Mt. Pleasant, Iowa
More information: Midwest Central Railroad

August 31 - September 2: North Shore Scenic Railroad Steam Excursions
Soo Line 4-6-2 #2719 powers six-hour excursions from Duluth to Two Harbors, Michigan
More information: North Shore Scenic Railroad

August 31 - September 3: Union Pacific Steam at Nebraska State Fair
UP 4-8-4 #844 expected at the Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island, Nebraska
Details forthcoming: Union Pacific 150th Anniversary
Photos: Union Pacific 844 Photos

August 31 - September 3: Hesston Steam & Power Show 2012
Three gauges of operating steam trains plus steam tractor, saw mill, crane, and more - La Porte, Indiana
More information: Hesston Steam Museum

SEPTEMBER 2012

September 1-2: Tennessee Valley Railfest
Steam excursions and special events - details TBA; Chattanooga, Tennessee
Details forthcoming: Tennessee Valley Railroad

September 1-2: Steamtown "Railfest 2012"
Excursions from Steamtown to Moscow both days with photo runby at Moscow; trolley rides operate from the Electric City Trolley Museum; visiting locomotives and rolling stock on display; locomotive shop tours and demonstrations - Scranton, Pennsylvania
More information: Steamtown National Historic Site
Photos: Steamtown Photo Gallery

September 1-3: Niles Canyon Railway "Steam Weekend"
Excursions with Southern Pacific 4-6-2 #2472 through Niles Canyon - Sunol, California
More information: Golden Gate Railroad Museum

September 1-3: Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad Steam Excursions
Steam excursions with Santa Fe 4-6-2 #3415 from Abilene, Kansas
More information: Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad

September 7-9: North Shore Scenic Railroad Steam Excursions
Soo Line 4-6-2 #2719 powers six-hour excursions from Duluth to Two Harbors, Michigan
More information: North Shore Scenic Railroad

September 8-9: Tweetsie Railroad "Railfan Weekend"
Two days of steam trips with 4-6-0 #12 and 2-8-2 #190 - Blowing Rock, North Carolina
More information: Tweetsie Railroad
Photos: Tweetsie Railroad Railfan Weekend Photos

September 14-16: North Platte Rail Fest
Annual celebration with railroad equipment displays (including UP 4-8-4 #844), Bailey Yard tours, model train expo, art show, food, entertainment, carnival rides, and more - North Platte, Nebraska
More information: North Platte Rail Fest

September 15: Grand Canyon Railway Steam Excursion to the Canyon
Steam-powered excursion to the Grand Canyon using 2-8-2 #4960 - Williams, Arizona
More information: Grand Canyon Railway
Photos: Grand Canyon Railway Steam Photos

September 15-16: White Mountain Central Railroad "Railroad Days"
Climax, Baldwin, and Porter steam locomotives in operation, plus Railbus - Lincoln, New Hampshire
More information: White Mountain Central Railroad

September 21 - October 2: Union Pacific Steam Excursion
UP 4-8-4 #844 leads a private excursion from Cheyenne to Ogden, Elko, Reno, Sparks, and Sacramento
Details forthcoming: Union Pacific 150th Anniversary
Photos: Union Pacific 844 Photos

September 29-30: Colfax Railroad Days 2012
Model train displays, motorcar rides, film fest, art show, live entertainment, and more - Colfax, California
More information: Placer Sierra Railroad Heritage Society

OCTOBER 2012

October 6, 13, 20, 27: Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum "Summerville Steam Special"
Southern 2-8-0 #630 leads a trip from Chattanooga, Tennessee (Grand Jct. Station) to Summerville, Georgia
More information: Tennessee Valley Railroad

October 20-21: New River Train Excursions
Diesel-powered excursions from Huntington to Hinton, West Virginia, through the New River Gorge
More information: Collis P. Huntington Railroad Historical Society

October 21-23: Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Photo Charter (tentative)
Steam photo charter on the C&TS between Chama, New Mexico and Antonito, Colorado
Details forthcoming: Lerro Productions
Photos: Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Freight Train Photos

October 27-28: New River Train Excursions
Diesel-powered excursions from Huntington to Hinton, West Virginia, through the New River Gorge
More information: Collis P. Huntington Railroad Historical Society

NOVEMBER 2012

November 3: Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum "Summerville Steam Special"
Southern 2-8-0 #630 leads a trip from Chattanooga, Tennessee (Grand Jct. Station) to Summerville, Georgia
More information: Tennessee Valley Railroad

November 3-4: Strasburg Rail Road "Trains & Troops"
Two steam locomotives operate, including a mixed freight train carrying re-enactors from all eras of the military - Strasburg, Pennsylvania
More information: Strasburg Rail Road
Photos: Strasburg Rail Road Photo Gallery