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All aboard! The Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad offers a variety of train excursions and holiday events, complete with scenic views of the beautiful Des Moines River Valley. Select your ride, get your ticket punched then sit back and enjoy the sights.
As the weather cools off and the trees begin changing colors, the Pumpkin Express welcomes families for a trip to the railroad’s private pumpkin patch. Enjoy the scenic ride, then deboard to find the perfect pumpkin before heading back to Boone. The Pumpkin Express operates the first three weekends of October.
When the holidays roll around, embrace your own “Polar Express” experience aboard the Santa Express. This memorable train ride takes riders to the railroad’s North Pole, where Santa himself climbs aboard to greet visitors and give each child a special gift before the train departs and returns to the station to complete the adventure. The Santa Express operates Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The attraction’s most popular excursion, the Fraser Train, makes for the perfect family outing. The 11-mile round trip ride (lasts 1 hour and 45 minutes) takes you to the once bustling coal mining town of Fraser. The coach is climate controlled, so you can enjoy Iowa’s countryside and two scenic bridge crossings no matter the weather. Be sure to have your camera ready while crossing the famous 156’ high Bass Point Creek High Trestle Bridge for the most expansive views.
Experience a four-course meal in Golden-age elegance by purchasing a Dinner Train ticket. Held aboard former Union Pacific Railroad 1950s passenger cars, this excursion merges fine dining with even finer views. The meal is complete with an appetizer, salad, entrée and side, dessert and beverages, all of which can be enjoyed while admiring the sunset and the area’s stunning countryside. This ride is offered on Fridays June through October and Saturdays May through early November.
For another daytime adventure, claim your spot aboard the Lunch Train. Spend the late morning/early afternoon rolling through Boone County’s countryside and enjoying a delicious meal that’s complete with an entrée, side, dessert and beverages. This ride departs at 11 a.m. and returns at 1:45 p.m. and is offered every Saturday late May through October.
For a shorter experience on the tracks, hop into the electric trolley for a 30-minute round-trip ride to downtown Boone. Once a popular interurban form of travel, the 1915 trolley, known as Car 50, spent its service life in Charles City until 1968, after which it was purchased by the Iowa Railroad Historical Society and delivered to Boone. Since then, the car’s beautiful oak woodwork and paneling have been restored and its rust-free exterior was painted, making it one of the rarest mint-condition trolleys you can find. The trolley operates most Saturdays, Memorial Day Weekend through October 31, and a ticket costs just two dollars.
Get a taste for railroad maintenance from aboard an authentically restored motorcar. One of the most unique railroad experiences in the state, the motorcar rides show you decades-old equipment and techniques used for inspecting and repairing the tracks. Each motorcar ride includes a driver (who doubles as a tour guide) and space for three passengers. This unique excursion is available most Saturday mornings from Memorial Day through October 31. Passengers must be at least 10 years old to ride.
No matter the season, Iowa offers endless possibilities. Whether it’s a family getaway, an outdoor adventure, or anything in between, we know a place.
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