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.

Please notify us of additions using the Event Additions Form. Previous 2007/2008 railfan events may be found on the Railfan Events Archive Page.

Last updated May 7, 2008

MAY 2008

May 2-4: CALS at Cass "Weekend in the Alleghenies"
Photo specials at the Cass Scenic Railroad, plus Elkins to Cass excursion - Cass, West Virginia
For more information: CALS at Cass Railroad Excursions

May 3-4: Fullerton Railroad Days
Vintage and modern railroad equipment on display, plus model train layouts - Fullerton, California
For more information: Fullerton Railroad Days

May 3-4: Trains Unlimited "La Veta Pass Explorer"
Alco 2-8-0 #18 (ex-Grand Canyon) pulls a photo freight to La Veta; overnight in Walsenburg, Colorado
For more information: Trains Unlimited
For photos: Rio Grande Scenic Photo Gallery

May 9-11: Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 #261 Photo Charter on the Twin Cities & Western
Three-day photo freight and passenger charter from Minneapolis, Minnesota
For more information: Lerro Productions

May 10: Reading & Northern Private Excursion w/ #425 - Port Clinton to Hickory Run
GM&N 4-6-2 #425 pulls a private excursion (no tickets) for National Train Day - Port Clinton, Pennsylvania
For more information: Reading & Northern Railroad

May 10: Rare Mileage Excursion on Maine's "Lower Road" to Augusta
MRG / 470 Club excursion between Rockland, Brunswick, and Augusta on the Maine Eastern Railroad
For more information: MRG, Inc. / 470 Railroad Club

May 10-11: San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum "Pacific Coast Railroad Roundup"
1927 Vulcan 2-4-0 #2 pulls ex-Disneyland passenger coaches - Santa Margarita, California
For more information: San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum

May 10-11: Cass Scenic Railroad - Carl Franz Photo Charter
Photo special and railfan events at the Cass Scenic Railroad - Cass, West Virginia
For more information: E-mail Carl Franz at CMFRR@aol.com

May 12-18: Trains Unlimited "Western Maryland & West Virginia Railfan Spectacular"
Railfan charters with steam and classic diesel power on the the Western Maryland Scenic, Potomac Eagle Scenic, Cass, West Virginia Central, Durbin & Greenbrier Valley, and Cheat Mountain Railroads.
For more information: Trains Unlimited
For photos: Western Maryland Scenic Railroad Photo Gallery

May 14: Durbin & Greenbrier Valley "Elkins to Cass Passenger Special"
One-way excursion between Elkins, Spruce, and Cass with photo runbys and return bus service.
For more information: Mountain State Railroad & Logging Historical Association (MSR&LHA)

May 15: Durbin & Greenbrier Valley "Cass to Elkins Passenger Special"
One-way excursion between Cass, Spruce, and Elkins with photo runbys and return bus service.
For more information: Mountain State Railroad & Logging Historical Association (MSR&LHA)

May 16-18: Cass Railfan Weekend
Photo specials and railfan events at the Cass Scenic Railroad - Cass, West Virginia
For more information: Mountain State Railroad & Logging Historical Association (MSR&LHA)

May 16-18: Durand Railroad Days
Annual festival with entertainment and model railroads, celebrating railroading history in Durand, Michigan
For more information: Durand Railroad Days

May 17: Mass Bay RRE's "Berkshire Flyer" on the Housatonic Railroad
Daylong excursion over the ex-New Haven Berkshire Line between Pittsfield, MA and Canaan, CT
For more information: Massachusetts Bay Railroad Enthusiasts

May 17-18: Steam Railroading Institute "Spring Northerner"
Pere Marquette 2-8-4 #1225 powers daily excursions from Owosso to Clare, Michigan
For more information: Steam Railroading Institute
For photos: Pere Marquette 1225 Photo Gallery

May 18: Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad Photo Special
Photo runbys with Climax geared locomotive No. 3, the Durbin Rocket - Durbin, West Virginia
For more information: Mountain State Railroad & Logging Historical Association (MSR&LHA)

May 24-25: Rio Grande Scenic Railroad Opening Weekend
RGSR introduces LS&I 2-8-0 #18, dome cars, and new Monte Vista excursions - Alamosa, Colorado
For more information: Rio Grande Scenic Railroad
For photos: Rio Grande Scenic Railroad Photo Gallery

May 24-26: Golden Gate Railroad Museum "Steam Returns to Niles Canyon"
SP 4-6-2 #2472 on the Niles Canyon Railway with all-day photo charter Saturday - Fremont, California
For more information: Golden Gate Railroad Museum

May 30-June 7: Yulee Railroad Days 2008
Linear festival follows the route of the historic cross-state Florida Railroad in northern Florida
For more information: Yulee Railroad Days

May 31: Wanamaker Kempton & Southern "Steam Photo Freight Special"
WK&S 0-6-0 #65 powers a photo special with vintage freight cars - Kempton, Pennsylvania
For more information: E-mail Christian Signorelli at csignorelli@dejazzd.com
For photos: Wanamaker Kempton & Southern Photo Gallery

JUNE 2008

June 1: ATSF 3751 "San Diego Steam Special" from Los Angeles to San Diego
AT&SF 4-8-4 #3751 pulls a public excursion from Los Angeles Union Station
For more information: Central Coast Chapter, NRHS

June 1: Wilmington & Western Railroad "Pufferbelly Day"
WWRR 4-4-0 #98 and 0-6-0 #58 doubleheader to Mt. Cuba - Wilmington, Delaware
For more information: Wilmington & Western Railroad
For photos: Wilmington & Western Railroad Photo Galleries

June 7: Tennessee Valley Railroad "Steam All The Way"
100-mile round-trip from Chattanooga, Tennessee  to Summerville, Georgia, behind 2-8-0 #610
For more information: Tennessee Valley Railroad

June 12 - July 6: Canadian Pacific "BC Spirit of 150 Rail Tour"
Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 Empress #2816 will visit British Columbia communities in June & July
For more information: BC Spirit of 150

June 14: Southern Pacific 4449 Daylight on display at Cruisin' Sherwood!
SP 4-8-4 #4449 will appear at the custom and classic car show in Sherwood, Oregon
For more information: Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation

June 16: D&RGW #315 on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
Mixed consist excursion with DRGW C-18 2-8-0 #315 from Chama, New Mexico to Antonito, Colorado
For more information: Durango Railroad Historical Society

June 16-22: National Railway Historical Society (NRHS) Convention "Lone Star Rails 2008"
Steam/diesel excursions, shop tours, railroadiana show, photo session, and more - Fort Worth, Texas
For more information: Lone Star Rails 2008

June 18: D&RGW #315 on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
Evening mixed consist dinner excursion with DRGW C-18 2-8-0 #315 from Antonito, Colorado
For more information: Durango Railroad Historical Society

June 18: Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 #261 One-Way Excursion Minneapolis to Milwaukee
Stops scheduled at Red Wing, Winona, La Crosse, Tomah, Wisconsin Dells, Portage, and Columbus
For more information: Milwaukee Road 261

June 20: Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 #261 Dinner Train from Milwaukee
Dinner train (with coach tickets available) from Milwaukee to Sturtevant, Wisconsin
For more information: Milwaukee Road 261

June 20: Black River & Western Railroad Photo Freight
Diesel-powered revenue freight train with photo runbys - Ringoes, New Jersey
For more information: Black River Railroad Historical Trust

June 21: Reading & Northern Excursion w/ #425 - Port Clinton to Jim Thorpe
GM&N 4-6-2 #425 pulls her first revenue excursion since restoration - Port Clinton, Pennsylvania
For more information: Reading & Northern Railroad

June 21: D&RGW #315 on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
Mixed consist excursion with DRGW C-18 2-8-0 #315 to Cumbres Pass from Antonito, Colorado
For more information: Durango Railroad Historical Society

June 21-22: Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 #261 Milwaukee to Wisconsin Dells Excursions
Daily round-trips from Milwaukee to Wisconsin Dells, plus local trips from the Dells to New Lisbon
For more information: Milwaukee Road 261

June 24: Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 #261 One-Way Excursion Milwaukee to Minneapolis
Stops scheduled at Columbus, Portage, Wisconsin Dells, Tomah, La Crosse, Winona, and Red Wing
For more information: Milwaukee Road 261

June 25-28: Friends of the Burlington Northern Railroad Convention
Tours of Hobson Yard and Havelock Shops, memorabilia, models, and railfanning - Lincoln, Nebraska
For more information: Friends of the Burlington Northern Railroad

June 28: Steamtown Excursion to Delaware Water Gap
104-mile round-trip to Delaware Water Gap for Founders Day - Scranton, Pennsylvania
For more information: Steamtown National Historic Site
For photos: Steamtown Photo Galleries

June 28-29: Galesburg Railroad Days
Annual railroad festival in Galesburg, Illinois
For more information: Galesburg Railroad Days

JULY 2008

July 4: D&RGW #315 on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
DRGW C-18 2-8-0 #315 leads six stock cars and caboose to Osier from Antonito, Colorado
For more information: Durango Railroad Historical Society

July 4: Wilmington & Western Railroad "Fireworks Express"
WWRR 4-4-0 #98 and 0-6-0 #58 night doubleheader and fireworks show - Wilmington, Delaware
For more information: Wilmington & Western Railroad
For photos: Wilmington & Western Railroad Photo Galleries

July 7: D&RGW #315 on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
Photo freight with DRGW C-18 2-8-0 #315 from Antonito, Colorado to Chama, New Mexico
For more information: Durango Railroad Historical Society

July 9: D&RGW #315 on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
Two photo freights with DRGW C-18 2-8-0 #315 from Chama, New Mexico to Cumbres Pass
For more information: Durango Railroad Historical Society

July 10-13: "Steam Returns to Elkins" Depot Centennial and Railroad Days
Western Maryland (Cass) Shay #6 runs Cass to Elkins with run-bys, plus short trips from Elkins, WV
For more information: Mountain State Railroad & Logging Historical Association (MSR&LHA)

July 11-13: Altoona Railfest at the Railroaders Memorial Museum
Excursions around Horseshoe Curve, plus overnight excursion to Pittsburgh - Altoona, Pennsylvania
For more information: Railroaders Memorial Museum

July 12-13: Reading & Northern Excursions w/ #425 - Tunkhannock to Jim Thorpe
GM&N 4-6-2 #425 powers excursions through the Lehigh Gorge to Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
For more information: Reading & Northern Railroad

July 16-21: Trains Unlimited "White Pass Railfan Spectacular"
Steam and diesel photo freights on the White Pass & Yukon - Skagway, Alaska
For more information: Trains Unlimited

July 19: Denver Post Cheyenne Frontier Days Train
17th annual excursion from Denver, Colorado to Cheyenne, Wyoming with UP 4-8-4 #844
For more information: Cheyenne Frontier Days Train

July 19-20: Williams Grove Historical Steam Engine Association "Train Days"
Pennsylvania Railroad B4a 0-6-0 #643 operates on a one-mile loop - Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
For more information: Williams Grove Historical Steam Engine Association

July 26-27: Steam Railroading Institute "Highland Chieftain"
Pere Marquette 2-8-4 #1225 powers daily excursions from Owosso to Alma, Michigan
For more information: Steam Railroading Institute
For photos: Pere Marquette 1225 Photo Gallery

AUGUST 2008

August 8-9: Orrville Railroad Days Festival
Train rides, track car rides, museum displays, and more - Orrville, Ohio
For more information: Orrville Railroad Heritage Society

August 16: Sunbury River Festival Train Rides
Diesel-powered train excursions from Sunbury to Snydertown, Pennsylvania
For more information: Sunbury River Festival

August 16: Western Maryland Railroad Photo Special (tentative)
Vintage diesel excursion to the High Falls of the Cheat River - Elkins, West Virginia
Details forthcoming: Mountain State Railroad & Logging Historical Association (MSR&LHA)

August 21-24: Durango & Silverton "Narrow Gauge Railfest"
Special excursions to Silverton with photo run-bys, plus swap meet - Durango, Colorado
For more information: Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
For photos: Durango & Silverton Fall Photo Specials 2006-2007

August 23-24: Orrville Railroad Heritage Society Pittsburgh Overnight Excursion
Weekend excursion to Pittsburgh on the Wheeling & Lake Eric Railway - Orrville, Ohio
For more information: Orrville Railroad Heritage Society

August 23-24: Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum "Diesel Days"
Owns six diesels engines with locomotive and caboose rides planned - Rush, New York
For more information: Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum

August 23-24: Train Festival at the Depot
Model train displays, children's activities, and vintage equipment on display - Columbus, Ohio
For more information: Train Festival at the Depot

August 25-28: Union Pacific #844 on display at the Democratic National Convention
UP 4-8-4 #844 on public display at the DNC - Denver, Colorado
For more information: Union Pacific Steam Schedule

August 29-31: Steamtown "Lackawanna Railfest 2008"
Planned events include operation of CN 3254 and CP 2317, visiting diesel and steam equipment, trolley rides at the Electric City Trolley Museum; and more - Scranton, Pennsylvania
For more information: Steamtown National Historic Site
For photos: Steamtown Photo Gallery

August 29-September 1: Whitewater Valley Railroad Steam Weekend
Flagg Coal Co 0-4-0 Saddle Tank #75 operates from Metamora, Indiana
For more information: Whitewater Valley Railroad

August 30-September 1: Trains Unlimited "Camas Prairie Rail Explorer"
Three-day charter passenger train over the former Camas Prairie Railroad out of Lewiston, Idaho
For more information: Trains Unlimited

August 31: Wilmington & Western Railroad "Pufferbelly Day"
WWRR 4-4-0 #98 and 0-6-0 #58 doubleheader to Mt. Cuba - Wilmington, Delaware
For more information: Wilmington & Western Railroad
For photos: Wilmington & Western Railroad Photo Galleries

SEPTEMBER 2008

September 1-4: Union Pacific #844 on display at the Republican National Convention
UP 4-6-6-4 #3985 on public display at the RNC - St. Paul, Minnesota
For more information: Union Pacific Steam Schedule

September 6: Reading & Northern Excursion w/ #425 - Jim Thorpe to Pittston
GM&N 4-6-2 #425 powers an excursion through the Lehigh Gorge from Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
For more information: Reading & Northern Railroad

September 6: 16th Annual "Glory Days of the Railroad" Festival
Festival includes excursions on the Green Mountain Railroad - White River Junction, Vermont
For more information: Glory Days of the Railroad

September 6-7: Whitewater Valley Railroad "Metamora Civil War & Steam Weekend"
Flagg Coal Co 0-4-0 Saddle Tank #75 operates from Metamora, Indiana
For more information: Whitewater Valley Railroad

September 6-7: Tweetsie Railroad "Railfan Weekend"
Two days of steam excursions with 4-6-0 #12 and 2-8-2 #190 - Blowing Rock, North Carolina
For more information: Tweetsie Railroad
For photos: Tweetsie Railroad Railfan Weekend

September 7-8: Cumbres & Toltec "Chama Steam Fall Madness 2008"
Two days of steam to Antonito with a Rio Grande freight - Chama, New Mexico
For more information: Chama Steam
For photos: Cumbres & Toltec Photo Gallery

September 10-13: National Narrow Gauge Convention
Annual narrow gauge convention to be held in Portland, Oregon
For more information: 28th National Narrow Gauge Convention

September 19-21: North Platte Railfest
Second annual celebration of North Platte, Nebraska's spirit and origins
For more information: North Platte Rail Fest

September 19-21: Great Smoky Mountains Railroad "Railfest 2008"
Flagg Coal Co 0-4-0 Saddle Tank #75 visits for a three-day festival - Bryson City, North Carolina
Details forthcoming: Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

September 20: Stourbridge Line Railfan Day "Return to Lackawaxen"
Day and night mixed trains featuring multiple photo stops and runbys - Honesdale, Pennsylvania
For more information: Stourbridge Line

September 20: Fostoria Rail Festival
Photo contest, model train swap meet, live demonstrations, car show, and more - Fostoria, Ohio
For more information: Fostoria Rail Preservation Society

September 20-21: White Mountain Central Railroad "Railroad Days"
0-4-0 Porter, Heisler, 2-4-2T Baldwin, and Railbus expected to operate - Lincoln, New Hampshire
For more information: White Mountain Central Railroad

September 20-21: Conway Scenic Railroad "Railfan Weekend"
Two days of steam excursions and demonstrations with 0-6-0 #7470 - Conway, New Hampshire
For more information: Conway Scenic Railroad

September 21: Great Smoky Mountains Railroad "Photo Special"
Diesel-powered, eight-hour, 71-mile roundtrip excursion from Bryson City to Andrews, North Carolina
For more information: Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

September 22: Whistler Mountaineer Railfan Special
Diesel-powered excursion from North Vancouver with photo stops at Shannon Falls and Britannia Beach
For more information: West Coast Railway Association

September 22: Trains Unlimited "La Veta Pass Express"
Southern Pacific 2-6-0 #1744 pulls a passenger train over La Veta Pass - Alamosa, Colorado
For more information: Trains Unlimited
For photos: Rio Grande Scenic Photo Gallery

September 23: Trains Unlimited "La Veta Pass Photo Freight"
Southern Pacific 2-6-0 #1744 pulls a classic freight over La Veta Pass - Alamosa, Colorado
For more information: Trains Unlimited
For photos: Rio Grande Scenic Photo Gallery

September 25-26: Trains Unlimited "Rio Grande Durango Steam"
Mixed freight on the Durango & Silverton, painted in classic 1940's Rio Grande green - Durango, Colorado
For more information: Trains Unlimited
For photos: Durango & Silverton Photo Gallery

September 27: Tennessee Valley Railroad "Steam All The Way"
100-mile round-trip from Chattanooga, Tennessee  to Summerville, Georgia, behind 2-8-0 #610
For more information: Tennessee Valley Railroad

September 27-28: Durango & Silverton "Fall Photographer's Special"
Two-day photo shoot on the D&SNG with overnight in Silverton, Colorado
For more information: Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
For photos: Durango & Silverton Fall Photo Specials 2006-2007

September 27-October 3: CPR Empress 2816 Excursion
Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 #2816 powers a rail tour from Calgary to Vancouver, Canada
For more information: Society of International Railway Travelers

September 29-October 1: Trains Unlimited "Rio Grande Cumbres Steam"
Three day charter includes a round-trip from Chama to Antonito, plus doubleheader to Cumbres Pass.
For more information: Trains Unlimited
For photos: Cumbres & Toltec Photo Gallery

OCTOBER 2008

October 3-5: Byesville Scenic Railway "Steam Weekend & Coal Miners Festival"
Ohio Central Steam (locomotive TBD) to pull 7-mile round-trips from Byesville, Ohio
For more information: Byesville Scenic Railway

October 4: Oregon Coast Steam Adventure on the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad
Daylong excursion to Salmonberry with Curtiss Lumber Co. Heisler #2 - Garibaldi, Oregon
For more information: RailsNW

October 4-5: Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum "Steam Days"
Train rides with a 1950 Porter-built saddle tank steam engine (St. Elizabeth) - Baltimore, Maryland
For more information: Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum

October 4-10: CPR Empress 2816 Excursion
Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 #2816 powers a rail tour from Vancouver to Calgary, Canada
For more information: Society of International Railway Travelers

October 11: Reading & Northern Excursion w/ #425 - Port Clinton to Jim Thorpe
GM&N 4-6-2 #425 powers a day-long fall foliage excursion from Port Clinton, Pennsylvania
For more information: Reading & Northern Railroad

October 11: Orrville Railroad Heritage Society Medina Loop Fall Foliage Excursion
All-day excursion to Medina on the Wheeling & Lake Eric Railway - Orrville, Ohio
For more information: Orrville Railroad Heritage Society

October 11-12: East Broad Top "Fall Spectacular"
All operational equipment runs for the annual fall event - Orbisonia, Pennsylvania
For more information: East Broad Top Railroad
For photos: East Broad Top Fall Spectacular

October 12: Reading & Northern "Autumn Leaf Excursion" to Jim Thorpe
Diesel-powered round-trip to Jim Thorpe from Port Clinton, Pennsylvania
For more information: Reading & Northern Railroad

October 18: Reading & Northern Excursion w/ #425 - Port Clinton to Jim Thorpe
GM&N 4-6-2 #425 powers a day-long fall foliage excursion from Port Clinton, Pennsylvania
For more information: Reading & Northern Railroad

October 18-19: "New River Train" Excursions
Diesel-powered excursions from Huntington to Hinton, West Virginia, through the New River Gorge.
For more information: Collis P. Huntington Railroad Historical Society

October 19: Reading & Northern "Autumn Leaf Excursion" to Jim Thorpe
Diesel-powered round-trip to Jim Thorpe from Port Clinton, Pennsylvania
For more information: Reading & Northern Railroad

October 19-21: Cumbres & Toltec Photo Freight
Two-day Rio Grande photo freight plus night photo session in Chama, New Mexico
For more information: Lerro Productions
For photos: Cumbres & Toltec Photo Gallery

October 22-23: Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Photo Freight
Two-day Rio Grande photo freight from Durango, Colorado with an overnight Silverton
For more information: Lerro Productions
For photos: Durango & Silverton Photo Gallery

October 24-25: Cumbres & Toltec "Chama Steam VII Classic"
Tripleheader steam with a 25-car Rio Grande freight - Chama, New Mexico
For more information: Chama Steam
For photos: Cumbres & Toltec Photo Gallery

October 25-26: "New River Train" Excursions
Diesel-powered excursions from Huntington to Hinton, West Virginia, through the New River Gorge.
For more information: Collis P. Huntington Railroad Historical Society

NOVEMBER 2008

November 8-9: Strasburg Rail Road "Trains & Troops"
Two steam locomotives operate, including mixed freight consist - Strasburg, Pennsylvania
For more information: Strasburg Rail Road
For photos: Strasburg Rail Road Photo Gallery

November 15: Valley Railroad Photo Freight
Valley RR #40 or 97 powers a photo special to Goodspeed with 10+ runbys - Essex, Connecticut
For more information: E-mail Ryan Mack at rm0463@gmail.com

DECEMBER 2008

December 20: Reading & Northern "Winter Photographer's Special"
GM&N 4-6-2 #425 will power a photo special on the RBMN -- route to be determined.
Details forthcoming: Reading & Northern Railroad

SEPTEMBER 2009

September 18: Trains Unlimited "Georgetown Loop Railfan Day"
Charter trains pulled by Colorado & Southern No. 9 and other locomotives - Georgetown, Colorado
For more information: Trains Unlimited

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