Getting Up Steam

There are dozens of steam railroads operating around the United States. All of them run in the summer, and many have Thanksgiving and Christmastime excursions. Here are five of special note:

Cass Scenic Railroad State Park

(304) 456-4300, Cass, W. Va.

climbs 4 miles to Whitaker, Old mountain logging line; train climbs 4 miles to Whitaker, another 7 to Bald Knob. Grade is a steep 11% at one point.

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Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad

Durango, Colo; (970) 247-2733

90-mile round trip to Silverton, one of world’s most scenic, is a daylong excursion; deep rivergorges, mountain vistas.

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East Broad Top Railroad

Rockhill Furnace, Pa, (814) 447-3011

Beautifully preserved, with some of oldest, most authentic rolling stock, including business car built in 1880.

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Strasburg Rail Road

Strasburg, Pa., (717) 687-7522

Popular line, covering 4 1/2 miles in Pennsylvania Dutch country; cars have Victorian atmosphere.

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Valley Railroad Co.

Essex, Conn., (203) 767-0103

Line combines train and riverboat rides, going up Connecticut River Valley by rail, then boat before return trip by train.

* Source: American Heritage magazine