This page provides a calendar of upcoming railfan events and excursions throughout North America. For a calendar of steam train charters and special steam operating events, see the Steam Specials Calendar. 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. Past 2007/2008 railfan events may be found on the Railfan Events Archive Page.

Last updated August 20, 2008

AUGUST 2008

August 20-29: Union Pacific #844 on display at the Democratic National Convention
UP 4-8-4 #844 from Cheyenne to Denver (8/20), public display at DNC (8/22-28), and return (8/29)
For more information: Union Pacific Steam Schedule
For photos: Union Pacific 844 Photo Gallery

August 21-24: Durango & Silverton "Narrow Gauge Railfest"
Excursions with D&RGW #315 and Galloping Goose #5, plus Presidential Special - Durango, Colorado
For more information: Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
For photos: Durango & Silverton Photo Gallery

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 29-31: Steamtown "Lackawanna Railfest 2008"
Planned events include operation of CN 3254 and CP 2317, steam excursion to Moscow (Saturday), diesel excursion from Cresco to Steamtown (Saturday), 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 29-September 1: Electric Railroaders’ Association Annual Convention
Tour of Rockhill Trolley Museum, PCC Fantrip, and NJT River Line Charter - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
For more information: Electric Railroaders’ Association (ERA)

August 30-31: Little River Railroad "Train Fest 2008"
Doubleheader with Little River 4-6-2 #110 and 0-4-0T #1, plus motorcar rides - Coldwater, Michigan
For more information: Little River Railroad

August 30-September 1: Golden Gate Railroad Museum "Sunol Steam Specials"
SP 4-6-2 #2472 on the Niles Canyon Railway with morning photo charter and two afternoon round-trips to Niles on Saturday, display in Sunol on Sunday, and four round-trips to Niles on Monday - Sunol, California
For more information: Golden Gate Railroad Museum

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 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
For photos: Reading & Northern 425 Photo Gallery

September 6: Steamtown Excursion to Nicholson over Tunkhannock Viaduct
Canadian National 2-8-2 #3254 powers an excursion from Steamtown to Nicholson - Scranton, Pennsylvania
For more information: Steamtown National Historic Site
For photos: Steamtown Photo Gallery

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 12-14: Maine Eastern Railroad "Photographer's Weekend"
Runbys, rare mileage (Lower Road to Augusta), photo freight, and night photo session - Brunswick, Maine
For more information: Maine Eastern Railroad (e-mail CharterServices@merail.com)

September 13: Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad "Total Track Tour"
Excursion over the entire 51 miles of CVSR track between Independence and Canton, Ohio
For more information: Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

September 13: Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 #261 Minneapolis to La Crescent Excursion
Round-trip excursion from Minneapolis to Winona, and from Winona to La Crescent, Minnesota
For more information: Milwaukee Road 261

September 14: Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 #261 Minneapolis to La Crosse Excursion
Round-trip excursion from Minneapolis to La Crosse, Wisconsin, via CP out and BNSF return
For more information: Milwaukee Road 261

September 18 - October 6: Union Pacific #3985 to North Platte Railfest & St. Paul
UP Challenger 4-6-6-4 #3985 travels Cheyenne to North Platte (9/18), on display at North Platte Railfest (9/19-21), North Platte to St. Paul (9/22-26), on display at St. Paul (9/27-29), St. Paul to Council Bluffs (9/30-10/3), on display at Council Bluffs (10/4), and Council Bluffs to Cheyenne (10/5-6)
For more information: Union Pacific Steam Schedule

September 19-21: North Platte Railfest
Second annual celebration of North Platte, Nebraska's spirit and origins, with UP Challenger on display
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, plus heritage diesel excursions, photo special, motorcar display, and more - Bryson City, North Carolina
For more information: 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"
Steam excursions with 0-6-0 #7470, and possible steam trip to Crawford Notch - Conway, New Hampshire
For more information: Conway Scenic Railroad
For photos: Conway Scenic Railroad Photo Gallery

September 20-21: Monticello Railway Museum "Railroad Days"
Vintage freight and passenger trains plus motorcar rides - Monticello, Illinois
For more information: Monticello Railway Museum

September 20-21: West Coast Railway Heritage Park "SteamFest"
Rides behind Royal Hudson #2860, plus steam crane display, handcar rides, and more - Squamish, British Columbia, Canada
For more information: West Coast Railway Association

September 21: AAPRCO Convention Special w/ ATSF 3751
Santa Fe 4-8-4 #3751 pulls a private railcar excursion from Los Angeles to San Diego & San Pedro
For more information: AAPRCO and Trains Unlimited Tours (public tickets)

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: Trains Unlimited Tours "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 Tours
For photos: Rio Grande Scenic Photo Gallery

September 23: Trains Unlimited Tours "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 Tours
For photos: Rio Grande Scenic Photo Gallery

September 24-28: Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad "Festival of Steam"
Ohio Central 4-6-2 #1293 on display Sept. 24/25, plus excursions Sept. 27/28 - Independence, Ohio
For more information: Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

September 25-26: Trains Unlimited Tours "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 Tours
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 27-28: New Hope & Ivyland "Railfan Weekend"
2-8-0 #40 pulls a vintage freight train to Ivyland with many runbys - New Hope, Pennsylvania
For more information: New Hope & Ivyland Railroad
For photos: New Hope & Ivyland Railroad Photo Gallery

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 Tours "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 Tours
For photos: Cumbres & Toltec Photo Gallery

OCTOBER 2008

October 3-5: Byesville Scenic Railway "Steam Weekend & Coal Miners Festival"
Ohio Central 4-6-2 #1293 to pull 7-mile round-trips from Byesville, Ohio
For more information: Byesville Scenic Railway

October 4-5: Oregon Coast Steam Adventure on the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad
Daylong excursions to Salmonberry with Curtiss Lumber Co. Heisler #2 - Garibaldi, Oregon
For more information: RailsNW

October 4-5: Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum "Steam Days"
Steam train rides with 1950 Saddle Tank #4 St. Elizabeth, plus the operation of 1856 4-4-0 #25 William Mason (oldest operating steam locomotive in America) - Baltimore, Maryland
For more information: Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum

October 4-5: Steam Train Bluegrass Festival w/ SP #745
Southern Pacific 2-8-2 #745 on display (under steam) at a bluegrass festival - New Orleans, Louisiana
For more information: Louisiana Steam Train Association

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
For photos: Reading & Northern 425 Photo Gallery

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: Steam Railroading Institute "Fall Color Trip"
Diesel-powered (Great Lakes Central) all-day excursion from Mt. Pleasant to Cadillac, Michigan
For more information: Steam Railroading Institute

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
For photos: Reading & Northern Photo Gallery

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
For photos: Reading & Northern 425 Photo Gallery

October 18: Mass Bay RRE's "Fall Circle Tour" on the Providence & Worcester Railroad
All-day excursion on the P&W from Worcester, Massachusetts to Providence and Groton
For more information: Massachusetts Bay Railroad Enthusiasts

October 18-19: Iowa Interstate QJ Steam Special for Flood Relief
RDC's two Chinese QJ-type steam locomotives to power a revenue freight from Iowa City to Rock Island (Saturday morning), passenger excursions from Rock Island (Saturday afternoon), private dinner train from Rock Island (Saturday evening), and one-way passenger excursion from Rock Island to Iowa City (Sunday)
For more information: Iowa Interstate 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 18-19: South Carolina Railroad Museum Steam Weekend
Flagg Coal Co 0-4-0 #75 operates on the Rockton, Rion & Western RR - Winnsboro, South Carolina
Details forthcoming: South Carolina Railroad Museum

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
For photos: Reading & Northern Photo Gallery

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 to Cumbres Pass - Chama, New Mexico
For more information: Chama Steam
For photos: Cumbres & Toltec Photo Gallery

October 25: Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Charter on the Durango & Silverton
Friends' 20th anniversary celebration aboard a charter to Cascade Canyon - Durango, Colorado
For more information: Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
For photos: Durango & Silverton 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

October 25-26: South Carolina Railroad Museum Steam Weekend
Flagg Coal Co 0-4-0 #75 operates on the Rockton, Rion & Western RR - Winnsboro, South Carolina
Details forthcoming: South Carolina Railroad Museum

NOVEMBER 2008

November 1: Reading FP7 Excursion from Philadelphia to Strasburg
FP7s 902/903 lead an excursion from Philadelphia's 30th Street Station (departs 9:30a) to Strasburg, with a 3-hour layover at Strasburg Rail Road and Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Details forthcoming: Reading Company Technical & Historical Society

November 1: Danbury Railway Museum "Fall Foliage Excursion"
Rare mileage excursion on the Housatonic Railroad from Danbury to Kent, Connecticut, using Metro-North equipment. Departs Danbury at 10a and returns at 4:30p, with two-hour layover in Kent.
Details forthcoming: Danbury Railway Museum

November 8: Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad Photo Freight
Climax #10 will pull a mixed freight from Mineral to Morton and return - Mineral, Washington
Details forthcoming: Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad

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 9: Little River Railroad "Photo Freight Special"
Little River 4-6-2 #110 and/or 0-4-0T #1 pull a freight with multiple photo run-bys - Coldwater, Michigan
Details forthcoming: Little River Railroad

DECEMBER 2008

December 12-14: Soo Line 1003 "Santa Steam Train Special"
Soo Line 2-8-2 #1003 one-way positioning move from Hartford (Friday), display in Plymouth (Saturday), and one-way trip from Elkhart Lake (7mi north of Plymouth) to Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Sunday)
For more information: Plymouth Chamber of Commerce
For photos: Soo Line 1003 Photo Gallery

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
For photos: Reading & Northern 425 Photo Gallery

JANUARY 2009

January 3: Conway Scenic Railroad "Steam in the Snow" Photographer's Special
Grand Trunk 0-6-0 #7470 pulls an excursion to Sawyer River from North Conway, New Hampshire
Details forthcoming: Massachusetts Bay Railroad Enthusiasts
For photos: Conway Scenic Railroad Photo Gallery

FEBRUARY 2009

February 14-15: Trains Unlimited Tours "Western Maryland Winter Photo Freight"
Two-day photo freight on the WMSR with ex-LS&I 2-8-0 #34 - Cumberland, Maryland
For more information: Trains Unlimited Tours
For photos: Western Maryland Scenic Railroad Photo Gallery

MAY 2009

May 2-3: Trains Unlimited "La Veta Pass Express Photo Freight"
2-6-0 #1744 or 2-8-0 #18 pull a photo freight from Alamosa, with overnight in La Veta, Colorado
For more information: Trains Unlimited Tours
For photos: Rio Grande Scenic Railroad Photo Gallery

May 23-24: Trains Unlimited "West Virginia Express"
Diesel-powered (F9 A&B + BL2) mixed freight on the West Virginia Central Railroad - Elkins, West Virginia
For more information: Trains Unlimited Tours
For photos: Cass Scenic Railroad Photo Gallery (F9s and BL2 included)

May 24: Trains Unlimited "West Virginia & Durbin Express"
Climax locomotive #3 pulls a photo freight on the Durbin & Greenbrier Railroad - Durbin, West Virginia
For more information: Trains Unlimited Tours
For photos: Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad Photo Gallery

JUNE 2009

June 19-21: Trains Unlimited "IN&P Idaho Explorer"
Three-day diesel powered charter train over most of the Idaho Northern and Pacific Railroad
For more information: Trains Unlimited Tours

JULY 2009

July 24-26: Steam Railroading Institute "Train Festival 2009"
Proposed events include an Amtrak special from Chicago to Owosso (via Durand) on Friday with return on Sunday, hourly train rides with Flagg Coal Co 0-4-0 Saddle Tank #75 on Friday-Sunday, all-day excursions to Alma with Pere Marquette 2-8-4 #1225 (or doubleheader) on Saturday-Sunday, night photo sessions (Friday-Saturday), and visiting steam/diesel equipment (TBD, possibly Nickel Plate 2-8-4 #765) - Owosso, Michigan
For more information: Steam Railroad Institute
For photos: Pere Marquette 1225 Photo Gallery

AUGUST 2009

August 11-16: NRHS 2009 Convention "Steam on the Range"
Variety of excursions planned in the Duluth, Minnesota area
Details forthcoming: Chattanooga Rails 2007

OCTOBER 2009

October 16-17: Trains Unlimited Tours "Grand Canyon Flyer"
Two-day charter with runbys, including doubleheader of 2-8-2 #4960 & 2-8-0 #29 - Williams, Arizona
For more information: Trains Unlimited Tours

October 19-20: Trains Unlimited Tours "Rio Grande Silverton Mixed Express"
Mixed photo freight on the Durango & Silverton with overnight in Silverton - Durango, Colorado
For more information: Trains Unlimited Tours
For photos: Durango & Silverton Photo Gallery

October 22-24: Trains Unlimited Tours "Rio Grande Cumbres Mixed Express"
3-day charter includes a round-trip to Antonito, plus doubleheader to Cumbres Pass - Chama, New Mexico
For more information: Trains Unlimited Tours
For photos: Cumbres & Toltec Photo Gallery

October 26: Trains Unlimited Tours "La Veta Passenger Express"
SP 2-6-0 #1744 pulls a passenger train over La Veta Pass - Alamosa, Colorado
For more information: Trains Unlimited Tours
For photos: Rio Grande Scenic Railroad Photo Gallery

October 27-28: Trains Unlimited Tours "Fall Colors La Veta Photo Freight"
SP 2-6-0 #1744 pulls a classic freight over La Veta Pass, with overnight in La Veta - Alamosa, Colorado
For more information: Trains Unlimited Tours
For photos: Rio Grande Scenic Railroad Photo Gallery

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