Steam Specials & Charters Calendar

This calendar features upcoming steam train charters, photo specials, mainline steam excursions, and other unique steam operating events in the U.S. & Canada. For a full calendar of all railfan events, including special diesel-powered excursions, rare mileage trips, and railroad festivals, please see our Railfan Events & Excursions Calendar. For additions to this page, please Submit Your Event.

See also: Tourist Railroads, Steam Locomotives, Locomotive Records & Statistics, Steam Photos, YouTube Vids
Last updated November 27, 2019.

NOVEMBER 2019

November 29 - December 1: Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation "Holiday Express"
SP Daylight 4-8-4 #4449 powers hourly trips from Oaks Amusement Park, Portland, Oregon
More information: Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation
Related photos: Southern Pacific Daylight 4449 Photos (SteamPhotos.com)
Related video: Steamin' Through The Seasons (Yard Goat Images)

November 30 - December 1: Minersville Santa Train Rides
CNJ 0-6-0 #113 powers three trips per day from Minersville, Pennsylvania
More information: Railway Restoration Project 113

November 30 - December 1: Steam Railroading Institute "North Pole Express"
Pere Marquette 2-8-4 #1225 powers the annual Christmas excursions from Owosso, Michigan
More information: Steam Railroading Institute
Related photos: Steam Railroading Institute in Winter Gallery (SteamPhotos.com)
Related video: The Great Gathering at Owosso (Yard Goat Images)

November 30 - December 1: Reading & Northern Railroad Santa Trains
Reading & Northern 4-6-2 steam locomotive #425 powers three trips per day from Reading to Port Clinton, PA
More information: Reading & Northern Railroad
Related photos: Reading & Northern 425 Photo Gallery (SteamPhotos.com)
Related video: Pennsylvania Steam Stories (Yard Goat Images)

DECEMBER 2019

December 6-8: Milwaukee Road 261 "North Pole Express"
Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 #261 leads short trips from St. Paul Union Depot, Minnesota
More information: Friends of the 261
Related photos: Milwaukee Road 261 Photos (SteamPhotos.com)
Related video: Steam Specials in the Heartland (Yard Goat Images)

December 7-8: Steam Railroading Institute "North Pole Express"
Pere Marquette 2-8-4 #1225 powers the annual Christmas excursions from Owosso, Michigan
More information: Steam Railroading Institute
Related photos: Steam Railroading Institute in Winter Gallery (SteamPhotos.com)
Related video: The Great Gathering at Owosso (Yard Goat Images)

December 7-8: Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation "Holiday Express"
SP Daylight 4-8-4 #4449 powers hourly trips from Oaks Amusement Park, Portland, Oregon
More information: Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation
Related photos: Southern Pacific Daylight 4449 Photos (SteamPhotos.com)
Related video: Steamin' Through The Seasons (Yard Goat Images)

December 7-8: Reading & Northern Railroad Santa Trains
Reading & Northern 4-6-2 steam locomotive #425 powers three trips per day from Reading to Port Clinton, PA
More information: Reading & Northern Railroad
Related photos: Reading & Northern 425 Photo Gallery (SteamPhotos.com)
Related video: Pennsylvania Steam Stories (Yard Goat Images)

December 8: Steamtown "North Pole Limited"
Baldwin 0-6-0 steam locomotive #26 leads four 1-hour excursions each day - Scranton, Pennsylvania
More information: Iron Horse Society
Related photos: Steamtown Photos (SteamPhotos.com)

December 12-15: Milwaukee Road 261 "North Pole Express"
Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 #261 leads short trips from St. Paul Union Depot, Minnesota
More information: Friends of the 261
Related photos: Milwaukee Road 261 Photos (SteamPhotos.com)
Related video: Steam Specials in the Heartland (Yard Goat Images)

December 14: Wiscasset, Waterville, and Farmington Railway Museum "Victorian Christmas"
Steam train rides and horse-drawn sleigh rides during this annual event in Alna, Maine
More information: WW&F Railway Museum
Video: Pennsylvania Steam Stories - Bonus Feature (Yard Goat Images)

December 14-15: Steam Railroading Institute "North Pole Express"
Pere Marquette 2-8-4 #1225 powers the annual Christmas excursions from Owosso, Michigan
More information: Steam Railroading Institute
Related photos: Steam Railroading Institute in Winter Gallery (SteamPhotos.com)
Related video: The Great Gathering at Owosso (Yard Goat Images)

December 14-15: Steamtown "North Pole Limited"
Baldwin 0-6-0 steam locomotive #26 leads four 1-hour excursions each day - Scranton, Pennsylvania
More information: Iron Horse Society
Related photos: Steamtown Photos (SteamPhotos.com)

December 14-15: Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation "Holiday Express"
SP Daylight 4-8-4 #4449 powers hourly trips from Oaks Amusement Park, Portland, Oregon
More information: Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation
Related photos: Southern Pacific Daylight 4449 Photos (SteamPhotos.com)
Related video: Steamin' Through The Seasons (Yard Goat Images)

December 14-15: Reading & Northern Railroad Santa Trains
Reading & Northern 4-6-2 steam locomotive #425 powers three trips per day from Reading to Port Clinton, PA
More information: Reading & Northern Railroad
Related photos: Reading & Northern 425 Photo Gallery (SteamPhotos.com)
Related video: Pennsylvania Steam Stories (Yard Goat Images)

December 21: Steam Railroading Institute "North Pole Express"
Pere Marquette 2-8-4 #1225 powers the annual Christmas excursions from Owosso, Michigan
More information: Steam Railroading Institute
Related photos: Steam Railroading Institute in Winter Gallery (SteamPhotos.com)
Related video: The Great Gathering at Owosso (Yard Goat Images)

December 21-24: Reading & Northern Railroad Santa Trains
Reading & Northern 4-6-2 steam locomotive #425 powers three trips per day from Reading to Port Clinton, PA
More information: Reading & Northern Railroad
Related photos: Reading & Northern 425 Photo Gallery (SteamPhotos.com)
Related video: Pennsylvania Steam Stories (Yard Goat Images)

Winter Steam & Snow: Many tourist railroads operate steam locomotives during summer and autumn, then switch to diesel engines (or shutdown entirely) during the winter months. Further, most railfan events and charters occur during summer and fall. This leaves a small number of railroads where one may catch the beauty of steam in snow. In addition to the special events listed elsewhere on this calendar, the following railroads offer steam excursions at times of potential snowfall:

Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad - Portland, Maine (Fri-Sun through December 22 + Dec 23)
Essex Steam Train & Riverboat (Valley Railroad) - Essex, Connecticut (daily through December 29)
Northern Central Railway - New Freedom, Pennsylvania (weekends through December 22)
Strasburg Rail Road - Strasburg, Pennsylvania (Thu-Sun through December 29 + Dec 23, 30 & 31)
New Hope & Ivyland Railroad - New Hope, Pennsylvania (daily through December 24)
Black River & Western Railroad - Flemington, New Jersey (weekends through Dec 22 + Dec 23)
Wilmington & Western Railroad - Wilmington, Delaware (weekends through December 22 + Dec 23)
Everett Railroad - Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania (weekends through December 22)
Huckleberry Railroad - Flint, Michigan (Thu-Sun through December 29)
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad - Durango, Colorado (select dates through February)
Sumpter Valley Railroad - Baker City, Oregon (second weekend in December)
Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad - Garibaldi, Oregon (weekends through December 22)
Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad - Elbe, Washington (daily through December 31)
Chelatchie Prairie Railroad - Yacolt, Oregon (third weekend in December)
Chehalis-Centralia Railroad - Chehalis, Washington (Fri-Sun through December 22)

JANUARY 2020

January 4: Conway Scenic Railroad "Steam in the Snow" Photographer's Special
Grand Trunk 0-6-0 #7470 leads an excursion with runbys to Notchland from North Conway, New Hampshire
More information: Massachusetts Bay Railroad Enthusiasts
Photos: Conway Scenic Railroad Photos (SteamPhotos.com)
Video: Steam in the Mountains Vol. 1 (Yard Goat Images)

January 17-19: Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington "Maine Two-Foot Winter 2020"
Three-day photo event features four steam locomotives: Bridgton & Saco River #7, Monson #3, S.D. Warren #2, and WW&F #9 - Alna, Maine
More information: WW&F Railway Museum
Related video: Pennsylvania Steam Stories Bonus Feature (Yard Goat Images)

FEBRUARY 2020

February 7-9: Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington "Maine Two-Foot Winter 2020"
Three-day photo event features four steam locomotives: Bridgton & Saco River #7, Monson #3, S.D. Warren #2, and WW&F #9 - Alna, Maine
More information: WW&F Railway Museum
Related video: Pennsylvania Steam Stories Bonus Feature (Yard Goat Images)

February 8: Niles Canyon Railway Photo Charter
Columbia River Belt Line 2-4-4-2 #7 ("Skookum") and Clover Valley Lumber 2-6-6-2T #4 lead photo freights - Sunol, California
More information: Lerro Productions

February 10: Nevada State Railroad Museum Photo Charter
Virginia & Truckee 4-6-0 #25 & 4-4-0 "Inyo" will pull several consists on museum grounds - Carson City, Nevada
More information: Lerro Productions

February 11-12: Virginia & Truckee Railroad Photo Charter
V&T 2-8-0 #29 (relettered as LP&N #680) leads a two-day photo freight - Virginia City, Nevada
More information: Lerro Productions
Related photos: Virginia & Truckee Railroad (SteamPhotos.com)

February 14-16: Nevada Northern Railway "Winter Steam Photo Spectacular"
3-day weekend photographing freight and passenger trains with 2-8-0 #93 and 4-6-0 #40 - Ely, Nevada
More information: Nevada Northern Railway
Related photos: Nevada Northern Railway Winter Steam Spectacular (SteamPhotos.com)

February 21-23: Nevada Northern Railway "Winter Steam Photo Spectacular"
3-day weekend photographing freight and passenger trains with 2-8-0 #93 and 4-6-0 #40 - Ely, Nevada
More information: Nevada Northern Railway
Related photos: Nevada Northern Railway Winter Steam Spectacular (SteamPhotos.com)

February 28 - March 1: Cumbres & Toltec Rotary Snowplow Special
Operation of Rotary Snowplow OY with photographer chase buses - Chama, New Mexico
More information: Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
Related photos: Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Photos (SteamPhotos.com)
Related video: Steam in the Mountains Vol. 2 (Yard Goat Images)

MARCH 2020

March 7-8: Nevada Northern Railway "Farewell 40" Photo Charter
Passenger, mixed, and freight trains led by 4-6-0 #40 and 2-8-0 #93 - Ely, Nevada
More information: Trains Magazine
Related photos: Nevada Northern Railway Winter Steam Spectacular (SteamPhotos.com)

March 28-29: Sierra Railway Photo Charter
Sierra Railway #3 leads a photo charter on the Sierra Northern Railway from Jamestown, California
More information: Lerro Productions
Related video: California Steam Stories (Yard Goat Images)

APRIL 2020

April 2-3: Strasburg Rail Road "Winston-Salem Southbound No. 200" Photo Charter
N&W 4-8-0 #475 to appear as Winston-Salem Southbound #200 for day and night photo sessions - Strasburg, PA
More information: Southern Rail Productions
Related photos: Strasburg Rail Road Photos (SteamPhotos.com)
Related video: Pennsylvania Steam Stories (Yard Goat Images)

April 24-25: Three Rivers Rambler "Smoky Mountain Railway No. 107 " Photo Charter
Southern 2-8-0 #154 to appear as Smoky Mountain #107 for day and night photo sessions  - Knoxville, TN
More information: Southern Rail Productions
Related photos: Three Rivers Rambler Photos (SteamPhotos.com)
Related video: Southern Steam (Yard Goat Images)

April 26-27: Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum "Southern Railway No. 630" Photo Charter
Southern 2-8-0 #630 backdated to its in-service freight appearance for day and night photo sessions - Chattanooga, TN
More information: Southern Rail Productions
Related photos: Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum Photos (SteamPhotos.com)
Related video: Southern Steam (Yard Goat Images)

MAY 2020

May 2-3: Texas State Railroad Photo Charter
Tremont & Gulf 2-8-2 #30 (Texas State #400) leads a two-day photo freight - Palestine, Texas
More information: Trains Magazine
Related photos: Texas State Railroad Photo Gallery (SteamPhotos.com)

AUGUST 2020

August 22-29: Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Roundup of Victorian Iron Horses
Visiting steam locomotives include Eureka & Palisade #4, Glenbrook, and D&RGW #315 (as #425), plus recently restored D&RGW #168 - Antonito, Colorado
Details forthcoming: Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
Related photos: Cumbres & Toltec, D&RGW #315, Eureka & Palisade #4 (SteamPhotos.com)
Related video: Steam in the Mountains Vol. 2 (Yard Goat Images)

SEPTEMBER 2020

September 23 - October 1: Colorado Steam Charters
8-day steam photo charter at the Colorado Railroad Museum, Georgetown Loop, South Park Rail Society, and Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
More information: Lerro Productions

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