Guest post by Connecticut photographer, Mark Spremulli.

Trains and Fall Foliage go hand in hand. It’s the smell of the coal smoke, the sounds of the diesel, the squeaking of the wheels as well as the clickety-clack over the joints, it’s a magical time. New England is known for its brilliant fall foliage. One of my favorite ways to view it is from the windows of a passenger train. This offers advantages for the leaf peepers than walking or driving. The first advantage is that everyone, mom, dad, and the kids and see the foliage. When on the road the driver can’t really enjoy the foliage as he/she is concentrating on driving. With the train, someone else is driving. Also, the trains are usually heated and enclosed so the cool crisp days aren’t going to be a problem as well as rain. Also for the driver of the family car this affords them a chance to rest and most train rides are about an hour long so they can rest, take a ride to see the foliage, and then continue on their way. Finally, the trains will pass through areas and afford views of the foliage that can’t be seen any other way.

I have a few notes to pass along of things I have learned on my train journeys. One is during the fall, railroads such as the Conway Scenic and Hobo/Winnipesaukee Railroads get very busy and it would prudent to order tickets early, a good time is when you book your hotel. Also if you don’t pre-order tickets, I would call the railroad to make sure the trains have room. Another note is to check to see if the railroad is running Special trains, I know the Hobo does. These would require advance tickets. Give yourself plenty of time to get to the railroad, as the roads may be busy with Leaf peepers.

A quick note about photography. Fall and trains make good photo objects. The same rules apply, don’t trespass on the track, always pay attention, and have fun. One note is that the steam engine exhaust will be amplified by the cool air, giving you some great photos.

Mark Spremulli
Fine Art by Mark Spremulli
Visit Mark on Facebook

Fall Foliage Train Excursions info: 

Connecticut
Essex Steam Train and Riverboat
1 Railroad Ave
Essex, CT

Railroad Museum of New England
242 East Main Street
Thomaston, CT

Danbury Railway Museum
120 White Street
Danbury CT
*they have a short ride around the museum only

Maine:
Boothbay Railway Village
586 Wiscasset Rd,
Boothbay, ME

Wiscasset, Waterville, and Farmington Railroad Museum
97 Cross Road,
Alna, ME

Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railroad
212 Depot Rd
Unity, ME

Downeast Scenic Railroad
8 Railroad Siding Road
Hancock, ME

Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum
49 Thames St
Portland, ME

Massachusetts

Cape Cod Central Railroad
Hyannis Depot:
252 Main Street, Hyannis, MA
Buzzards Bay Depot:
70 Main Street, Buzzards Bay, MA

Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum
Hoosac Valley Train Ride
Adams Station
Adams, MA

New Hampshire:
Conway Scenic Railroad
38 Norcross Circle
North Conway, NH

Mount Washington Cog Railway
3168 Base Station Road
Mount Washington, NH

Winnipesaukee Railroad
154 Main St.,
Meredith, NH

Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train
North Woodstock, NH

Rhode Island
Newport & Narragansett Bay Railroad Co.
1 Alexander Road
Portsmouth, RI

Vermont
Green Mountain Railroad
multiple locations, Burlington, Rutland, Chester


Amtrak Vermonter Saver Fare
Travel from New York City to St Albans VT
(also travel within Vermont for $18 one way
and see great views along the way)


Other Train Related Things to Do:

Maine:
Seashore Trolley Museum
195 Log Cabin Road,
Kennebunkport, ME

Massachusetts:
National Streetcar Museum at Lowell
25 Shattuck Street
Lowell Massachusetts

Edaville USA
5 Pine St,
Carver, MA
*for the kiddos
(2021: Edaville doesn’t appear to be open right now)

New Hampshire:
Rail Bike Adventures
Laconia Railroad Station
15 Veteran’s Square
Laconia, NH 03246

White Mountain Central Railroad
*located at Clark’s Bears, for the kiddos
110 US Route 3
Lincoln, NH

Share on Facebook

Post on X

Follow us

Save