US train travel is expected to draw fresh interest in 2027 as the United States marks 200 years of commercial passenger rail travel, with scenic cross-country journeys, historic railway stations, heritage locomotives and hotels made from restored train carriages offering travellers new ways to explore the country.
The anniversary will put the spotlight on a form of transport that helped connect American cities and communities long before air travel became commonplace. From routes through the Rocky Mountains to journeys across the Southwest, the celebrations offer an opportunity to discover landscapes, historic towns and railway attractions that many visitors miss when travelling exclusively by car or plane.
Brand USA, the country’s national destination marketing organisation, is promoting railway journeys and experiences connected to America’s rail heritage ahead of the bicentenary. Museums, historic stations and heritage railways are expected to mark the anniversary throughout 2027 with exhibitions, special train rides and other events.
“Rail is where America’s travel story began, and 200 years later, the romance of the rails endures,” said Fred Dixon, president and CEO of Brand USA.
Dixon described the bicentenary as an invitation for travellers to slow down and appreciate the country’s landscapes from the train window. Although the US passenger rail network is less extensive than those in many European countries, several routes offer distinctive ways to experience mountains, deserts, forests and coastal scenery.
Maryland is highlighting its railway heritage through rail-themed museums and scenic train rides. In Branchville, South Carolina, the long-running Raylrode Daze Festival is another event connected to the country’s railway history. The festival began in 1969, and the town is home to what the source article describes as the oldest railroad junction in the United States.
For travellers interested in exploring the American West without spending every day behind the wheel, Canyon Spirit offers a journey between Denver, Colorado, and Salt Lake City, Utah. The train operates during daylight hours, allowing passengers to see the dramatic canyons, mountain scenery and red-rock landscapes along the way.
The experience also differs from conventional overnight train travel because passengers stay in hotels along the route. These stops create opportunities to explore destinations along the journey instead of covering the entire distance overnight.
Route 66, one of America’s most recognisable road-trip routes, can also feature in a holiday built around rail travel. Amtrak’s Southwest Chief runs between Chicago and Los Angeles, passing through communities and landscapes associated with the American Southwest.
Stops such as Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Flagstaff, Arizona, give travellers opportunities to explore the region before continuing west. The Grand Canyon is also accessible from the wider area, although visitors need to arrange separate transport from the train route to reach the national park.
Other Amtrak services provide access to some of the country’s most striking landscapes. The California Zephyr connects Chicago with the San Francisco Bay Area, crossing the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada. The Coast Starlight runs between Seattle and Los Angeles, while the Empire Builder travels from Chicago towards the Pacific Northwest through expansive plains and mountain scenery, including areas near Glacier National Park.
These long-distance services can form the backbone of a wider American holiday, particularly for visitors who want to cover substantial distances without driving. However, the journeys can take many hours, and stations do not always provide direct access to national parks or smaller communities. Travellers should check connections and allow time for additional transport when planning their itineraries.
The country’s passenger rail network is also evolving, with newer trains and services intended to improve travel options in some regions. In the Pacific Northwest, Amtrak’s Airo trains are planned for the Cascades corridor, which includes connections between cities such as Seattle and Portland. The route gives travellers access to urban attractions as well as forests, mountains, wine-producing areas and coastal communities.
Further south, the Mardi Gras Service connects New Orleans, Louisiana, with Mobile, Alabama. The service gives visitors another option for travelling beyond New Orleans, known for its music, food and historic neighbourhoods, and exploring communities along the Gulf Coast.
Travellers interested in the history of American railways can choose from several heritage lines that preserve historic locomotives, routes and traditional train experiences. Colorado’s Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad winds through the San Juan Mountains, while the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad crosses the Colorado-New Mexico border. The latter offers themed excursions, including journeys featuring dinner and live music.
In Pennsylvania, Strasburg Rail Road operates in a region with a long railway history. West Virginia’s Cass Scenic Railroad takes passengers into the Appalachian Mountains along tracks associated with the area’s former logging industry. These journeys combine scenic views with a closer look at the railways that once supported communities and industries across the country.
Autumn offers another reason to explore the United States by train. In the Northeast, forests turn shades of red, orange and yellow, creating seasonal views along selected routes. New York’s Finger Lakes region offers opportunities to explore historic landscapes and autumn colours. Travellers should check excursion dates in advance because seasonal services and foliage conditions vary.
The bicentenary also provides an opportunity to visit museums and historic stations that document the role railways played in shaping the United States. In Baltimore, the B&O Railroad Museum is planning special bicentennial programming and a new Innovation Hall. The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania is also preparing a new accessible roundhouse for 2027, expected to house six historic steam locomotives.
Several former railway stations have been transformed into hotels, restaurants and cultural attractions. Denver Union Station, for example, has become a destination in its own right. The building houses the Crawford Hotel, where Pullman-inspired rooms draw on the design of traditional railway sleeper cars.
In Omaha, Nebraska, the Durham Museum occupies the city’s 1931 Art Deco Union Station. Visitors can explore restored passenger train carriages from the 1940s and see a working soda fountain dating from 1931. Los Angeles Union Station is another notable stop for travellers interested in railway architecture, with tours exploring the building’s design, history and artwork.
For visitors who want to spend more time surrounded by railway history, restored carriages and former railway buildings offer alternatives to conventional hotel accommodation. These stays can also add a distinctive experience to a longer journey through the United States.
In Chattanooga, Tennessee, Hotel Chalet at The Choo Choo allows guests to stay in restored Pullman carriages. The nearby Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum offers historic train rides, making it possible to combine an overnight stay with a railway excursion.
In Salt Lake City, the Asher Adams occupies a former Union Pacific Depot, while the Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot, in Minnesota retains its railway heritage. Both offer accommodation in buildings associated with the history of American rail travel.
More unusual options are available in smaller communities. Idaho Train Stays in Deary, Idaho, offers restored railway carriages and a caboose, while the Antigua Inn in Madrid, New Mexico, provides accommodation in converted cabooses. In Lamy, New Mexico, The Hamilton features a restored 1920s Pullman railcar.
Lamy and nearby Santa Fe are also starting points for Sky Railway, a historic railway that offers themed excursions combining train travel with entertainment. Dating back to 1880, the railway was revived with involvement from George R.R. Martin, the author best known for the books that inspired “Game of Thrones”. Its experiences include stargazing, murder mysteries, live jazz and margarita tastings.
In Nebraska, Two Rivers State Recreation Area offers another distinctive option, with 10 restored Union Pacific cabooses available for overnight stays during the warmer months. Because these stays are seasonal, visitors should confirm availability before building them into an itinerary.
Planning a railway holiday in the United States requires careful attention to schedules, connections and travel times. Long-distance services can cross several states, while heritage railways often operate only on selected dates or during particular seasons. Travellers should also check official announcements before making plans around specific bicentennial events.
For visitors considering US train travel in 2027, the anniversary offers a chance to combine scenic journeys with historic attractions and unusual places to stay. Whether the plan involves crossing the Rockies, travelling through the Southwest or spending a night in a restored railway carriage, America’s rail network provides a different way to experience the country’s landscapes and history.
