STEAM TRAIN DIARY - svsfilm.com/diary
Steam train events in US and Canada

This listing is maintained for personal use and is not intended to be a complete diary of steam train events in the USA and Canada. SVS Film will not be responsible for any errors or omissions, nor will be responsible for any expenses or other costs incurred as a result of the information printed here. All schedules are subject to change without notice. PLEASE DO NOT USE THIS SCHEDULE TO MAKE TRAVEL PLANS WITHOUT CHECKING WITH THE RAILROAD/OPERATOR FIRST.

Some entries are shown as To be confirmed . This indicates that early information has been learnt, but has not been verified by the proposed operating organisation!!

We would welcome any comments, corrections or updates by email ESPECIALLY if you are a tourist railroad, or operator of a preserved steam locomotive!

Credit to John Biehn for some of the details included below.

Photo of the week:

Reading T1 4-8-4 2102 on return leg of its round trip from Reading to Jim Thorpe PA, October 14th 2023.
Copyright © John McIvor SVS Film 2024

'Photo of the Week' picture contributions always considered for possible inclusion - copyright credit given - submit .jpg file by email to SVS Film.

'20 Years of American Steam' DVD from SVS Film featuring action footage filmed since 1997. From a narrow gauge Shay to the 'Challenger', many of the finest US steam locomotives are represented. Just 15.00 GBPounds (PAL format) or US$20.00 (US NTSC) POSTFREE it's great value for a 104 minutes film.

[Jan] [Feb] [Mar] [Apr] [May] [Jun] [Jul] [Aug] [Sep] [Oct] [Nov] [Dec]

Diary for 2024

NEW Updated April 19th. CPKC tour dates added. East Broad Top steam under repair. UP 'Bog Boy' more tour info. TVRM June 1st trip now reported to be double headed with 4501 and 630.

January 2024

January 6th and 7th Western Maryland Scenic Railroad 'Snow 'n Steam' trains will now be diesel hauled between Cumberland and Frostburg. The railroad says #1309 requires unscheduled piston head replacement work.
For details: https://wmsr.com/

January 13 Sugar Express. No. 148 will carry passengers from Lake Placid to Clewiston for a layover at the beloved Market on Bond Street featuring local farmers, fresh food, entertainment, and welcoming neighbors in downtown Clewiston.
For schedule and order tickets, go to https://sugarexpress.com/trips-and-events/

January 20-22 Sugar Express will operate its 'Rare Mileage Tour'. This three-day event beginning on January 20th will be powered each day by the former Florida East Coast Railway 4-6-2 No. 148. All trips will feature multiple photo opportunities, an onboard appetizer and non-alcoholic drinks service each day.
Details of proposed schedule and order tickets go to https://sugarexpress.com/trips-and-events/

January 27 Sugar Express. Departing Clewiston for Lake Placid, guests will enjoy a high-stepping passenger train ride behind Sugar Express steam locomotive No. 148 as it slips through the sugarcane fields and arrives for a two-hour layover in the historic town of Lake Placid.
For schedule and order tickets, go to https://sugarexpress.com/trips-and-events/

January 27th weekends until March 17th Cass WV. Durbin & Greenbrier Valley RR 'Greenbrier Express Winter Special' trains will run from Cass to Durbin and return on Saturdays and Sundays.
For details: https://mountainrailwv.com/calendar/

February 2024

February Orbisonia PA, East Broad Top Railroad. Their Winter Spectacular will not operate in February 2024 owing to locomotibe maintenance schedules.
Details: https://eastbroadtop.com/events/

February 3rd and weekends until March 17th Cass WV. Durbin & Greenbrier Valley RR 'Greenbrier Express Winter Special' trains will run from Cass to Durbin and return on Saturdays and Sundays.
For details: https://mountainrailwv.com/calendar/

February 10th Lake Placid Florida. Sugar Express #148 excursion from Lake Placid to Clewiston and return.
For schedule and order tickets, go to https://sugarexpress.com/trips-and-events/

February 11th Sunol CA. Niles Canyon Railway steam powered trips at 1030am and 1pm with #4 Clover Valley Lumber 2-6-6-2T.
For schedule and order tickets, go to https://www.ncry.org/ride/2024-train-rides/

February 16 - 18 Ely Nevada, Nevada Northern Winter Spectacular. Details: https://nnry.com/winter-steam-photo-weekend-spectacular-hands-on-history/

February 18th Sunol CA. Niles Canyon Railway steam powered trips at 1030am and 1pm with #4 Clover Valley Lumber 2-6-6-2T.
For schedule and order tickets, go to https://www.ncry.org/ride/2024-train-rides/

February 24th Clewiston Florida. Sugar Express #148 excursion from Clewiston to Lake Placid and return.
For schedule and order tickets, go to https://sugarexpress.com/trips-and-events/

February 25th Clewiston Florida. Sugar Express #148 excursion from Clewiston to Moore Haven and return.
For schedule and order tickets, go to https://sugarexpress.com/trips-and-events/

March 2024

March 1 - 3 Ely Nevada, Nevada Northern Winter Spectacular. Details: https://nnry.com/winter-steam-photo-weekend-spectacular-hands-on-history/

March 2nd and weekends until March 17th Cass WV. Durbin & Greenbrier Valley RR 'Greenbrier Express Winter Special' trains will run from Cass to Durbin and return on Saturdays and Sundays.
For details: https://mountainrailwv.com/calendar/

March 2nd Williams AZ. Grand Canyon Railway 'Steam Saturday' 9:30am train scheduled to be steam hauled with either 2-8-0 #29 or 2-8-2 #4960.
For details: https://www.thetrain.com/events/steam-saturdays/

March 2nd Sunol CA. Niles Canyon Railway celebration of 100 years #4 Clover Valley Lumber 2-6-6-2T. Special event.
For schedule and order tickets, go to https://www.ncry.org/ride/2024-train-rides/

March 3rd Sunol CA. Niles Canyon Railway steam powered trips at 1030am and 1pm with #4 Clover Valley Lumber 2-6-6-2T.
For schedule and order tickets, go to https://www.ncry.org/ride/2024-train-rides/

March 9th Lake Placid Florida. Sugar Express #148 excursion from Lake Placid to Clewiston and return.
For schedule and order tickets, go to https://sugarexpress.com/trips-and-events/

March 10th Sunol CA. Niles Canyon Railway steam powered trips at 1030am and 1pm with #4 Clover Valley Lumber 2-6-6-2T.
For schedule and order tickets, go to https://www.ncry.org/ride/2024-train-rides/

March 16th Clewiston Florida. Sugar Express. No. 148 will carry passengers on one hour trips at the Clewiston Sugar Festival.
For schedule and order tickets, go to https://sugarexpress.com/trips-and-events/

March 17th Sunol CA. Niles Canyon Railway steam powered trips at 1030am and 1pm with #4 Clover Valley Lumber 2-6-6-2T.
For schedule and order tickets, go to https://www.ncry.org/ride/2024-train-rides/

April 2024

April 6th Williams AZ. Grand Canyon Railway 'Steam Saturday' 9:30am train scheduled to be steam hauled with either 2-8-0 #29 or 2-8-2 #4960.
For details: https://www.thetrain.com/events/steam-saturdays/

April 13th Lake Placid Florida. Sugar Express #148 excursion from Lake Placid to Clewiston and return.
For schedule and order tickets, go to https://sugarexpress.com/trips-and-events/

April 14th Sunol CA. Niles Canyon Railway steam powered trips at 1030am and 1pm with #4 Clover Valley Lumber 2-6-6-2T.
For schedule and order tickets, go to https://www.ncry.org/ride/2024-train-rides/

April 19th to 21st Clewiston Florida. Sugar Express #148 Photo Specials with passenger and freight consists. Loco in its Florida East Coast Railway 1940's markings.
For schedule and tickets on sale, go to https://sugarexpress.ticketspice.com/sugar-express-photo-charter

April 20th Williams AZ. Grand Canyon Railway 'Earth Day' 9:30am train scheduled to be steam hauled with either 2-8-0 #29 or 2-8-2 #4960.
For details: https://www.thetrain.com/events/steam-saturdays/

April 21st Sunol CA. Niles Canyon Railway steam powered trips at 1030am and 1pm with #4 Clover Valley Lumber 2-6-6-2T.
For schedule and order tickets, go to https://www.ncry.org/ride/2024-train-rides/

NEW April 24th and 26th/27th CPKC 'Final Spike 2816 Steam Train' headed by Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 #2816 event at Calgary Alta. Travels from Calgary to Medicine Hat on 26th April. Medicine Hat to Moose Jaw Sask.
For details: https://www.cpkcr.com/content/dam/cpkc/documents/english/pdfs/community/steam-train/Steam-Tour-Schedule.pdf

April 27th Clewiston Florida. Sugar Express #148 excursion from Clewiston to Lake Placid and return.
For schedule and order tickets, go to https://sugarexpress.com/trips-and-events/

April 28th Clewiston Florida. Sugar Express #148 excursion from Clewiston to Moore Haven and return.
For schedule and order tickets, go to https://sugarexpress.com/trips-and-events/

NEW April 28th and 29th CPKC 'Final Spike 2816 Steam Train' headed by Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 #2816 event at Moose Jaw Sask. Travels from Moose Jaw to Minot SD on April 29th.
For details: https://www.cpkcr.com/en/community/final-spike-steam-train

NEW April 30th CPKC 'Final Spike 2816 Steam Train' headed by Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 #2816 event at Minot ND.
For details: https://www.cpkcr.com/en/community/final-spike-steam-train

May 2024

NEW May 1st, 2nd and 3rd CPKC 'Final Spike 2816 Steam Train' headed by Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 #2816 travels from Minot to Glenwood MN on May 1st, then on from Glenwood to St.Paul on May 2nd. Event at St.Paul MN on May 3rd.
For details: https://www.cpkcr.com/en/community/final-spike-steam-train

NEW May 3rd October 27th East Broad Top Railroad, Orbisonia PA. Steam locomotive #16 is under repair. The EBT website says: 'due to ongoing maintenance of Steam Locomotive, all train excursions from May 3rd through August will be pulled by our vintage diesel engine.'
For details: https://eastbroadtop.com/

May 4th Williams AZ. Grand Canyon Railway 'Steam Saturday' 9:30am train scheduled to be steam hauled with either 2-8-0 #29 or 2-8-2 #4960.
For details: https://www.thetrain.com/events/steam-saturdays/

NEW May 5th, 6th and 8th CPKC 'Final Spike 2816 Steam Train' headed by Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 #2816. Travels from St.Paul to Portage Wis on May 5th and Portage to Bensenville IL on May 6th. Event at Franklin Park IL on May 8th.
For details: https://www.cpkcr.com/en/community/final-spike-steam-train

NEW May 9th, 10th and 11th CPKC 'Final Spike 2816 Steam Train' headed by Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 #2816. Travels from Bensenville IL to Nahant Iowa on May 9th. Event at Davenport Iowa on May 10th, then travels from Nahant to Kansas City MO on May 11th.
For details: https://www.cpkcr.com/en/community/final-spike-steam-train

May 11th Duluth MN. Testing and steam up date for #332 DM&IR 2-8-0. North Shore Scenic Railroad.
For details: https://duluthtrains.com/steam/

May 11th Minersville PA. Night photo session at Minersville Station in Minersville, PA, benefiting Railway Restoration Project 113. Volunteers will pose for photo opportunities with CNJ 113 with continuous LED lighting. The engine will be fired up for the event and may move for some video opportunities.
For details go to https://steamcharters.com/

May 12th Sunol CA. Niles Canyon Railway steam powered trips at 1030am and 1pm with #4 Clover Valley Lumber 2-6-6-2T.
For schedule and order tickets, go to https://www.ncry.org/ride/2024-train-rides/

May 17th - 18th Durango CO. Night photo session on Friday. On Saturday join a work train to Needleton pulled by a K-36 or K-37 engine, with a Spring perspective on the Animas Canyon.
For details go to https://steamcharters.com/

NEW May 18th CPKC 'Final Spike 2816 Steam Train' headed by Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 #2816. Event at Kansas City MO.
For details: https://www.cpkcr.com/en/community/final-spike-steam-train

May 18th Minersville PA. Community Day featuring shuttle steam train rides with CNJ 113.
For details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1317551072251045/

May 18th and 19th Nelsonville, Ohio. The Hocking Valley Scenic Railway will be operating the Hocking Valley Steam Train Special with their 0-6-0 no.3.
For details: https://www.hvsry.org/

May 19th Sunol CA. Niles Canyon Railway steam powered trips at 1030am and 1pm with #4 Clover Valley Lumber 2-6-6-2T.
For schedule and order tickets, go to https://www.ncry.org/ride/2024-train-rides/

May 20th Golden CO. Experience the Colorado Railroad Museum in a new way, with a day of photo opportunities featuring RGS 20 and Rio Grande 491 plus a night photo session.
For details go to https://steamcharters.com/

NEW May 21st 22nd and 24th CPKC 'Final Spike 2816 Steam Train' headed by Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 #2816 Travels from Kansas City to Heavener OK on May 21st, then from Heavener to Shreveport LA on May 22nd. Eevent at Shreveport LA on May 24th.
For details: https://www.cpkcr.com/en/community/final-spike-steam-train

May 25th Reading PA. 2024 Iron Horse Rambles. Reading and Northern 4-8-4 #2102 excursion from Reading Outer Station to Jim Thorpe and return.
For schedule and order tickets, go to https://www.rbmnrr-passenger.com/rambles

May 25th-October 19th Chama NM and Antonito CO. The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad schedule is available. Regular trains operate six days a week, Tuesday-Sunday from May 25th until October 19th 2024.
For details: https://cumbrestoltec.com/

NEW May 25th, 26th and 28th CPKC 'Final Spike 2816 Steam Train' headed by Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 #2816. Travels from Shreveport LA to Kendleton TX on May 25th, then to Laredo TX on May 27th. Event at Laredo TX on May 28th.
For details: https://www.cpkcr.com/en/community/final-spike-steam-train

June 2024

June 1st Williams AZ. Grand Canyon Railway 'Steam Saturday' 9:30am train scheduled to be steam hauled with either 2-8-0 #29 or 2-8-2 #4960.
For details: https://www.thetrain.com/events/steam-saturdays/

NEW June 1st Chattanooga TN. Tennessee Valley Railroad round trip excursion to Summerville Georgia with steam. Reported to be double headed with 4501 and 630.
For details: https://www.tvrail.com/train-rides/summerville-steam-special/

June 8th and 9th Duluth MN. #332 DM&IR 2-8-0 heads excursion from Duluth to Palmers and return on North Shore Scenic Railroad.
For details: https://duluthtrains.com/steam/

June 9th Antonito CO. Cumbres & Toltec 'Geology Train' departs Antonito 8:30am to Chama. Buses to/from Chama.
For details: https://cumbrestoltec.com/events/geology-train/

June 22nd Nesquehoning, PA. 2024 Iron Horse Rambles. Reading and Northern 4-8-4 #2102 excursion from Nesquehoning to Tunkhannock and return.
For schedule and order tickets, go to https://www.rbmnrr-passenger.com/rambles

June 22nd Chattanooga TN. Tennessee Valley Railroad round trip excursion to Summerville Georgia with steam.
For details: https://www.tvrail.com/train-rides/summerville-steam-special/

NEW June 30th Cheyenne WY. UP 4014 'Big Boy' leaves Cheyenne bound for Roseville running via Evanston to Ogden, Salt Lake City and the WP route to Wells and via the Feather River Canyon - more details to follow.
UP Press Release: https://www.up.com/heritage/steam/schedule/index.htm
More details to follow.

July 2024

July 4th Chama NM. Cumbres & Toltec '4th July Fireworks Celebration Train' departs Chama 3pm to Cumbres Pass and return.
For details: https://cumbrestoltec.com/events/2024-4th-of-july-dinner-train/

July 6th Williams AZ. Grand Canyon Railway 'Steam Saturday' 9:30am train scheduled to be steam hauled with either 2-8-0 #29 or 2-8-2 #4960.
For details: https://www.thetrain.com/events/steam-saturdays/

NEW July 12th and 13th Roseville CA. UP 4014 'Big Boy' on display at Roseville. Then departing eastbound via Reno to Ogden - more details to follow.
UP Press Release: https://www.up.com/heritage/steam/schedule/index.htm
More details to follow.

NEW July 20th and 21st Ogden UT. UP 4014 'Big Boy' on display at Ogden. Then departing for Cheyenne running north into southern Idaho before turning east rejoining the main line at Granger - more details to follow.
UP Press Release: https://www.up.com/heritage/steam/schedule/index.htm
More details to follow.

August 2024

August 3rd Williams AZ. Grand Canyon Railway 'Steam Saturday' 9:30am train scheduled to be steam hauled with either 2-8-0 #29 or 2-8-2 #4960.
For details: https://www.thetrain.com/events/steam-saturdays/

August 3rd Antonito CO. Cumbres & Toltec Mixed Train Photo Charter with #463 from Antonito to Osier and return. All day with photo runbys and night photo event.
For details: https://friendsofcumbrestoltec.org/product/mixed-train-photo-charter/

August 12th Williams AZ. Grand Canyon Railway '4960's Birthday' 9:30am train scheduled to be steam hauled with either 2-8-0 #29 or 2-8-2 #4960.
For details: https://www.thetrain.com/events/steam-saturdays/

August 17th Nesquehoning, PA. 2024 Iron Horse Rambles. Reading and Northern 4-8-4 #2102 excursion from Nesquehoning to Pittston and return.
For schedule and order tickets, go to https://www.rbmnrr-passenger.com/rambles/

September 2024

NEW - dates to be announced September/October UP have announced that a 'Big Boy' 4014 tour is planned later this fall with stops in Texas, Arkansas, Kansas, and Illinois, among other states. Details of the second tour will be released later this spring - more details to follow.
UP Press Release: https://www.up.com/heritage/steam/schedule/index.htm

September 7th Williams AZ. Grand Canyon Railway 'Steam Saturday' 9:30am train scheduled to be steam hauled with either 2-8-0 #29 or 2-8-2 #4960.
For details: https://www.thetrain.com/events/steam-saturdays/

September 8th Antonito CO. Cumbres & Toltec 'Geology Train #2' departs Antonito 8:30am to Chama. Buses to/from Chama.
For details: https://cumbrestoltec.com/events/september-08-2024-geology-train-2/

September 14th Chattanooga TN. Tennessee Valley Railroad round trip excursion to Summerville Georgia with steam.
For details: https://www.tvrail.com/train-rides/summerville-steam-special/

September 14th and 15th Duluth MN. #332 DM&IR 2-8-0 heads excursion from Duluth to Two Harbors and return on North Shore Scenic Railroad.
For details: https://duluthtrains.com/steam/

September 21st Williams AZ. Grand Canyon Railway 'Grand Canyon Railway's Birthday' 9:30am train scheduled to be steam hauled with either 2-8-0 #29 or 2-8-2 #4960.
For details: https://www.thetrain.com/events/steam-saturdays/

To be confirmed September 19th - 23rd Skagway Alaska. 5 day tour on the White Pass and Yukon Railroad with steam and diesel powered trains.
For details go to https://www.traintrips.biz/

September 28th Chattanooga TN. Tennessee Valley Railroad round trip excursion to Summerville Georgia with steam.
For details: https://www.tvrail.com/train-rides/summerville-steam-special/

October 2024

October 5th Williams AZ. Grand Canyon Railway 'Steam Saturday' 9:30am train scheduled to be steam hauled with either 2-8-0 #29 or 2-8-2 #4960.
For details: https://www.thetrain.com/events/steam-saturdays/

October 5th Chattanooga TN. Tennessee Valley Railroad round trip excursion to Summerville Georgia with steam.
For details: https://www.tvrail.com/train-rides/summerville-steam-special/

October 8th and 9th Essex CT. Two days of photo opportunities in beautiful fall colors including a passenger and freight consist, pulled by Valley Railroad 40 and Valley Railroad 3025.
For details go to https://steamcharters.com/

To be confirmed October 9th Virginia City/Carson City NV. Photo event on Virginia and Truckee Railroad.
For details go to https://www.traintrips.biz/

To be confirmed October 10th and 11th Orbisonia PA. Photo event on East Broad Top Railroad
For details go to https://www.traintrips.biz/

October 12th and 13th Chattanooga TN. Tennessee Valley Railroad round trip excursion to Summerville Georgia with steam.
For details: https://www.tvrail.com/train-rides/summerville-steam-special/

October 18th and 19th Durango CO. Two day photo charter with Trains Magazine. Durango to Silverton on Friday. Return from Silverton to Durango on Saturday.
For details: organised by Trains Magazine - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/durango-silverton-two-day-steam-photo-charter-with-trains-magazine-tickets-871101958407?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios

October 19th and 20th Chattanooga TN. Tennessee Valley Railroad round trip excursion to Summerville Georgia with steam.
For details: https://www.tvrail.com/train-rides/summerville-steam-special/

October 26th and 27th Duluth MN. #332 DM&IR 2-8-0 heads excursion from Duluth to Palmers and return on North Shore Scenic Railroad.
For details: https://duluthtrains.com/steam/

November 2024

November 2nd and 3rd Chattanooga TN. Tennessee Valley Railroad round trip excursion to Summerville Georgia with steam.
For details: https://www.tvrail.com/train-rides/summerville-steam-special/

Earlier 'Steam Train Diaries':

STEAM TRAIN DIARY - svsfilm.com/diary Steam train events in US and Canada

Photo of the week:

Diary for 2024

Earlier 'Steam Train Diaries':

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STEAM TRAIN DIARY - svsfilm.com/diary
Steam train events in US and Canada