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 and Louis Cerny for some of the details included below.
Steam in souhern Africa - Part One
This the first 8mm cine film reel shot by Mike Grieves in 1972. It is part of the Train Bytes series of railway films on YouTube from SVS Film. Commentary is by Mike Grieves himself, with several maps to aid placing locations.
Featured includes South African Railways 15CA at Rayton, Garratts, 14R and S2's at Waterval Boven, scenes at Sidvokodvo yard in Swaziland (now Eswatini), Baldwin 301 class at Machava in Mozambique, ex-Rhodesian railways 14th Garratt (2-6-2+2-6-2), a 2-8--2T shunting at Lourenco Marques (now Maputo) docks followed by 331 class 4-6-2. 301 class Baldwin 4-6-2 and 260 class 2-10-2 at Machava plus 14th Garratt. SAR class 19D shunting at Golela, At Mtubatuba a GMA Garratt on freight upgrade and a 19D on passenger downgrade. Three types of Garratt seen at Empangeni. The remaining scenes are between Kranskop and the outskirts of Pietermaritzburg at City View, a freight only line, with grades as stiff as 1 in 30, all a mixture of GF and GMA Garratts.
Chapters list:
00:00 Introduction
00:15 Arrival in Johannesburg
00:30 Rayton 15CA class
01:17 Waterval Boven GM Garratts and 14R
02:08 Carolina with GMA Garratt
03:01 Sidvokodvo Yard
04:41 Machava 301 class and 14th class Garratt
08:08 Lourenco Marques docks
10:34 Moamba
13:11 14th class Garratt
13:34 Machava 301 class 4-6-2
14:03 Machava 260 class 2-10-2 and 14th class
15:47 Golela 19D class
16:59 Mtubatuba GMA Garratt and 19D
17:57 Empangeni various Garratts
20:33 Kranskop Garratts
21:08 Greytown
23:22 Pietermaritzburg
Copyright © John McIvor 2022
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Diary for 2026
NEW Updated May 30th 2026.
Reading and Northern #2102 excursions
January 2026
Febuary 2026
March 2026
April 2026
From March 29 to April 24 Cheyenne WY. Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 #4014 western tour ends in Cheyenne on April 24.
For more details go to https://www.up.com/about-us/history/steam/schedule
April 25, 26 Cumberland MD. The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad 'Allegheny Winter Express' trips due to be headed by 2-6-6-2 #1309 departing Cumberland at 9am and 1pm.
For more details go to https://wmsr.com/western-maryland-train-schedule
May 2026
Saturdays, Sundays and Public holidays Cumberland MD. The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad trips due to be headed by 2-6-6-2 #1309 departing Cumberland.
For more details go to https://wmsr.com/western-maryland-train-schedule
May 2nd Williams AZ. Grand Canyon Railway 'Steam Saturday' 9:30am train scheduled to be steam hauled either 2-8-0 #29 or 2-8-2 #4960.
For details: https://www.thetrain.com/events/steam-schedule/
May 2nd and 3rd Cass WV. Cass Scenic Railroad operator Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad. The "Titans of Logging" Photography Weekend will take place on May 2-3, 2026. Photographers and videographers will have exclusive access to remote, scenic locations, with multiple runbys and carefully planned photo opportunities throughout the weekend.
For more details go to https://mountainrailwv.com/train-rides/
May 9th Cass WV. Cass Scenic Railroad operator Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad. Greenbrier Express "Geared Titans" Special
Join Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad for a first of its kind train ride along the Cass to Durbin Line! This historic passenger excursion will feature all three major geared locomotive types, the Shay, Heisler and Climax as they work in tandem pulling the train to Durbin.
For more details go to https://mountainrailwv.com/train-rides/
May 9th and 10th Portland OR. Oregon Rail Heritage Center's annual National Train Day. SP 4449 and SP&S 700 under steam. Cab tours of these legendary locomotives. Turntable demonstrations
For more details go to https://orhf.org/blog/national-train-day-returns-may-9-10-2026/
May 23rd, 30th Chattanooga TN. 9th May trip will now be diesel hauled. Nine hour excursion from Chattanooga to Summerville, Georgia and return powered by the former Southern Railway 2-8-2 No. 4501.
For more details go to https://www.tvrail.com/train-rides/summerville-steam-special/
May 21st Williams AZ. Grand Canyon Railway 'Memorial Day Celebration' 9:30am train scheduled to be steam hauled either 2-8-0 #29 or 2-8-2 #4960.
For details: https://www.thetrain.com/events/steam-schedule/
May 23rd Reading, PA. 2026 Iron Horse Rambles. Reading and Northern 4-8-4 #2102 excursion from Reading Outer Station to Jim Thorpe and return.
For more details go to https://www.rbmnrr-passenger.com/rambles-jimthorpe
NEW Commencing May 23rd Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. OPENING DAY POSTPONED UNTIL 9th June owing to high fire risk. 2026 Season Dates: June 9th to October 25th. Subject to confirmation.
For more details go to https://cumbrestoltec.com/
Commencing May 25th Cheyenne WY. Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 #4014 eastern tour starts in Cheyenne on May 25. Full details now announced. Reaches Boone Iowa on May 31st via North Platte, Grand Island and Omaha.
For more details go to https://www.up.com/about-us/history/steam/schedule
May 30th Sugar Express locomotive 148 will head Lake Placid Limited. Departing mid-morning from Clewiston, the train is led by a U.S. Sugar diesel to Lake Placid, and historic steam locomotive No. 148 will operate the train on the southbound leg.
For more details: https://sugarexpress.com/lake-placid-limited/
June 2026
Commencing June 1st Boone Iowa. Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 #4014 eastern tour continues. Full details now announced. Departs Boone on June 1st and reaches Scranton PA on June 14th.
For more details go to https://www.up.com/about-us/history/steam/schedule
Saturdays, Sundays and Public holidays Cumberland MD. The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad trips due to be headed by 2-6-6-2 #1309 departing Cumberland.
For more details go to https://wmsr.com/western-maryland-train-schedule
June 5, 6, 7 and 12, 13, 14 Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad in Ohio will feature the return of the Steam In The Valley excursions headed by Nickel Plate 2-8-4 #765.
For more details go to https://www.cvsr.org/excursions/steam-in-the-valley/steam-in-the-valley
June 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-schedule/
June 6th and 20th Chattanooga TN. Nine hour excursion from Chattanooga to Summerville, Georgia and return powered by the former Southern Railway 2-8-2 No. 4501.
For more details go to https://www.tvrail.com/train-rides/summerville-steam-special/
NEW Commencing June 9th Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. OPENING DAY POSTPONED UNTIL 9th June owing to high fire risk. 2026 Season Dates: June 9th to October 25th. Subject to confirmation.
For more details go to https://cumbrestoltec.com/
June 12th, 13th, 14th Staunton VA. Norfolk and Western 4-8-4 #611 heads excursions on the 'Saunton Route'. 611 will heaad the train outbound on the 40 mile round trip.
For details: https://www.virginiascenicrailway.com/rides/summer-of-steam/
NEW June 13th and 14th Nesquehoning PA. Reading and Northern 4-8-4 2102 will run round trips from Nesquehoning to Pittston, Pennsylvania on June 13 and 14 and on July 1. The excursion is scheduled to meet and pass the UP#4014.
For more details go to https://www.rbmnrr-passenger.com/semiquincentennial
June 14th Nesquehoning PA. Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 #4014 heads a one way SOLD OUT excursion to Pittston.
For more details go to https://www.up.com/about-us/history/steam/schedule
June 19th, 20th, 21st Staunton VA. Norfolk and Western 4-8-4 #611 heads excursions on the 'Saunton Route'. 611 will heaad the train outbound on the 40 mile round trip.
For details: https://www.virginiascenicrailway.com/rides/summer-of-steam/
June 19th and 20th Nickel Plate 2-8-4 #765 heads Tri-State Steam Excursion train. These trips depart Edon, Ohio at 9:00 a.m. and returns at 6:00 p.m.
For more details go to https://www.indianarailexperience.org/tri-state-steam-excursion/
NEW June 20th and 21st Portland OR. Oregon Rail Heritage Center's Father's Day Special. Polson Logging 2-8-2 #2 will head a number of trips.
For more details go to https://orhf.org/weekend-train-rides/#special-event-steam-excursions
June 21st Nickel Plate 2-8-4 #765 heads Fox Lake Limited Excursion train. These trips depart Pleasant Lake Indiana to Montgomery Michigan.
For more details go to https://www.indianarailexperience.org/fox-lake-limited/
June 22nd Staunton VA. Norfolk and Western 4-8-4 #611 heads excursion from Saunton via Crozet, Ivy and Charlottesville on the way to Gordonsville. 611 will heaad the train outbound trip. The return to Staunton will be diesel hauled.
For details: https://www.virginiascenicrailway.com/rides/summer-of-steam/
June 25th Williams AZ. Grand Canyon Railway 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-schedule/
June 26th, 27th, 28th Louisa VA. Norfolk and Western 4-8-4 #611 heads excursions on the 'Louisa Route'. 611 will heaad the train outbound on the 40 mile round trip. The return to Louisa will be diesel hauled.
For details: https://www.virginiascenicrailway.com/rides/summer-of-steam/
NEW June 27th Nesquehoning PA. Reading and Northern 4-8-4 2102 will run round trip from Nesquehoning to Tunkhannock for the Tunkhannock Founder's Day Festival.
For more details go to https://www.rbmnrr-passenger.com/special-events
July 2026
Commencing July 1st Scranton PA. Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 #4014 eastern tour continues. Full details now announced. Departs Scranton on July 1st, arriving Philadelphia July 3rd, then via Horseshoe Curve, Fort Wayne, St Louis, Kansas City and Denver reaches Cheyenne on July 29th.
For more details go to https://www.up.com/about-us/history/steam/schedule
Saturdays, Sundays and Public holidays Cumberland MD. The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad trips due to be headed by 2-6-6-2 #1309 departing Cumberland.
For more details go to https://wmsr.com/western-maryland-train-schedule
NEW July 1st Nesquehoning PA. Reading and Northern 4-8-4 2102 will run round trip from Nesquehoning to Pittston, Pennsylvania on July 1. The excursion is scheduled to meet and pass the UP#4014. A diesel hauled similar trip will run on July 2nd.
For more details go to https://www.rbmnrr-passenger.com/semiquincentennial
July 2nd Williams AZ. Grand Canyon Railway 'Thursday, Independence Day Celebration' 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/
July 3rd, 4th, 5th Louisa VA. Norfolk and Western 4-8-4 #611 heads excursions on the 'Louisa Route'. 611 will heaad the train outbound on the 40 mile round trip. The return to Louisa will be diesel hauled.
For details: https://www.virginiascenicrailway.com/rides/summer-of-steam/
July 4th, 18th Chattanooga TN. Nine hour excursion from Chattanooga to Summerville, Georgia and return powered by the former Southern Railway 2-8-2 No. 4501.
For more details go to https://www.tvrail.com/train-rides/summerville-steam-special/
NEW July 4th Reading Outer Station PA. Reading and Northern 4-8-4 2102 will run round trip from Reading Outer Station to Jim Thorpe.
For more details go to https://www.rbmnrr-passenger.com/special-events
July 17, 18, 19 Chanhassen and Montevideo MN. Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 #261 heads "USA 250th Hiawatha" excursions. On Friday 17th from Chanhassen MN to Danube MN. On Saturday two trips from Montevideo MN to Granite Falls and an afternoon trip to Appleton where the train will be wyed. On Sunday the trip will be from Montevideo to Buffalo Lake MN.
For more details go to https://261.com/excursions/usa-250/
August 2026
Saturdays, Sundays and Public holidays Cumberland MD. The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad trips due to be headed by 2-6-6-2 #1309 departing Cumberland.
For more details go to https://wmsr.com/western-maryland-train-schedule
August 1st and 15th Chattanooga TN. Nine hour excursion from Chattanooga to Summerville, Georgia and return powered by the former Southern Railway 2-8-2 No. 4501.
For more details go to https://www.tvrail.com/train-rides/summerville-steam-special/
August 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/
August 15th Williams AZ. Grand Canyon Railway 'Celebration of Steam Engine 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-schedule/
NEW August 22nd Nesquehoning PA. Reading and Northern 4-8-4 2102 will run round trip from Nesquehoning to Pittston for the Tomato Festival.
For more details go to https://www.rbmnrr-passenger.com/special-events
August 27th Williams AZ. Grand Canyon Railway 'Thursday Labor Day Celebration' 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-schedule/
September 2026
Saturdays, Sundays and Public holidays Cumberland MD. The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad trips due to be headed by 2-6-6-2 #1309 departing Cumberland.
For more details go to https://wmsr.com/western-maryland-train-schedule
September 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-schedule/
September 5th and 26th Chattanooga TN. Nine hour excursion from Chattanooga to Summerville, Georgia and return powered by the former Southern Railway 2-8-2 No. 4501.
For more details go to https://www.tvrail.com/train-rides/summerville-steam-special/
NEW September 12th Penobscot PA. Reading and Northern 4-8-4 2102 will run round trip from Penonscot to Jim Thorpe for the Mountain Top Rotary Club Excursion.
For more details go to https://www.rbmnrr-passenger.com/special-events
September 19th Williams AZ. Grand Canyon Railway 'Grand Canyon Railway's 125th Anniversary' 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-schedule/
October 2026
Saturdays, Sundays and Public holidays Cumberland MD. The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad trips due to be headed by 2-6-6-2 #1309 departing Cumberland.
For more details go to https://wmsr.com/western-maryland-train-schedule
October 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-schedule/
October 3, 10, 11, 17, 18, 31 Chattanooga TN. Nine hour excursion from Chattanooga to Summerville, Georgia and return powered by the former Southern Railway 2-8-2 No. 4501.
For more details go to https://www.tvrail.com/train-rides/summerville-steam-special/
October 14th Williams AZ. Grand Canyon Railway 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-schedule/
November 2026
November 1st Cumberland MD. The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad trips due to be headed by 2-6-6-2 #1309 departing Cumberland.
For more details go to https://wmsr.com/western-maryland-train-schedule
November 7th and 8th Chattanooga TN. Nine hour excursion from Chattanooga to Summerville, Georgia and return powered by the former Southern Railway 2-8-2 No. 4501.
For more details go to https://www.tvrail.com/train-rides/summerville-steam-special/
December 2026
Diary for 2027
Earlier 'Steam Train Diaries':
2004 - February - June ... July - December
2005 - January - June ... July - December
2006 - January - June ... July - December
2007 - January - June ... July - December
2008 - January - June ... July - December
2009 - January - June ... July - December
2010 - January - June ... July - December
2011 - January - June ... July - December
2012 - January - June ... July - December
2013 - January - June ... July - December
2014 - January - June ... July - December
2015 - January - June ... July - December
2016 - January - June ... July - December
2017 - January - June ... July - December
2018 - January - June ... July - December
2019 - January - June ... July - December
2023 - January - December
2024 - January - June ... July - December
2025 - January - December
Copyright © SVS Film / John McIvor 2004-2026
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