Traveling by train is somewhat novel, somewhat a thing of the past. You don’t see a whole lot of passenger trains in Iowa anymore, but we certainly still have them! Next time you’re looking to take a scenic, relaxing trip by train, check out these railways in Iowa for an unforgettable experience.
- Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad
Jerry Huddleston/Flickr Boone & Scenic Valley offers leisurely train rides in Boone. One of the most beautiful spots on the trip is the scenic High Bridge, shown above. (The train pictured is not one of the passenger trains.)
Matt/Flickr Aside from the normal rides, dinner trains and special event trains are offered.
Gordon/Flickr One upcoming event is the Pumpkin Express Train. Ride the train across the 156 foot tall Bass Point Creek High Bridge, and the Des Moines River bridge, as you make your way to the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad’s pumpkin patch. Each child, age 2-12, gets to select their very own pumpkin.
Gordon/Flickr For that Thomas The Train lover in your life, they even offer rides in a real-life Thomas!
- California Zephyr through Burlington
chris/Flickr The California Zephyr is one of two major passenger railways that runs through Iowa. One station is in Burlington.
- California Zephyr through Creston
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr Another of the Zephyr’s stops is in Creston.
- Southwest Chief through Fort Madison
Shane Gillam/Flickr The second major passenger train in Iowa is the Southwest Chief.
Dan Tomhave/Flickr The Southwest Chief makes a stop at the Fort Madison station. The Chief offers a beautiful sightseer lounge cab for passengers looking to take a scenic trip.
- California Zephyr through Mount Pleasant
Loco Steve/Flickr Another of the stops on the California Zephyr rail line is the Mount Pleasant station.
- California Zephyr through Osceola
Loco Steve/Flickr Yet another stop of the Zephyr is the Osceola station.
- California Zephyr through Ottumwa
Bob Hall/Flickr Another stop on the Zephyr’s line is the station in Ottumwa. The whole line goes across the state at all the stations listed, then leads out of state to Denver, Salt Lake City and Oakland. So, if you’re looking for a longer trip, this is the railway for you.
Bob Hall/Flickr
Are there any more trains to ride in Iowa? Any tips for train travel across the state? Share them with us!
Jerry Huddleston/Flickr
Boone & Scenic Valley offers leisurely train rides in Boone. One of the most beautiful spots on the trip is the scenic High Bridge, shown above. (The train pictured is not one of the passenger trains.)
Matt/Flickr
Aside from the normal rides, dinner trains and special event trains are offered.
Gordon/Flickr
One upcoming event is the Pumpkin Express Train. Ride the train across the 156 foot tall Bass Point Creek High Bridge, and the Des Moines River bridge, as you make your way to the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad’s pumpkin patch. Each child, age 2-12, gets to select their very own pumpkin.
For that Thomas The Train lover in your life, they even offer rides in a real-life Thomas!
chris/Flickr
The California Zephyr is one of two major passenger railways that runs through Iowa. One station is in Burlington.
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
Another of the Zephyr’s stops is in Creston.
Shane Gillam/Flickr
The second major passenger train in Iowa is the Southwest Chief.
Dan Tomhave/Flickr
The Southwest Chief makes a stop at the Fort Madison station. The Chief offers a beautiful sightseer lounge cab for passengers looking to take a scenic trip.
Loco Steve/Flickr
Another of the stops on the California Zephyr rail line is the Mount Pleasant station.
Yet another stop of the Zephyr is the Osceola station.
Bob Hall/Flickr
Another stop on the Zephyr’s line is the station in Ottumwa. The whole line goes across the state at all the stations listed, then leads out of state to Denver, Salt Lake City and Oakland. So, if you’re looking for a longer trip, this is the railway for you.
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