Desert railroading: the canyon trains of Arizona, the Cumbres & Toltec's New Mexico end, and Texas's excursion lines.
The Southwest's trains run to canyons and through desert. The Grand Canyon Railway makes its daily, year-round run from Williams to the South Rim; the Verde Canyon Railroad follows its river under red-rock walls; and at Chama, New Mexico, the Cumbres & Toltec begins its climb over Cumbres Pass into Colorado.
Texas carries the region's second half: the Texas State Railroad's Piney Woods runs, Grapevine's Cotton Belt Route to the Fort Worth Stockyards, Austin's volunteer excursions, and Santa Fe's themed Sky Railway. Oklahoma has no directory listing at launch — its scenic rail story is the Heartland Flyer, a scheduled journey, which lives in the Journeys section.
Chama, NM
SeasonRegular season late May to late October (2026 start delayed to June 9 by drought/wildfire conditions); December Santa Trains
Two-state narrow gauge over 10,015-foot Cumbres Pass, from Chama, New Mexico and Antonito, Colorado — a full-day ride from late May to late October, a named dinner train among its featured trips, and Santa trains in December.
Official site ↗✓ Last verified: November 2026
Santa Fe, NM
SeasonThemed excursions year-round
Santa Fe's entertainment train: themed excursions from Santa Fe, New Mexico, year-round — margarita trains, sunset serenades, a wine train and murder mysteries. (The line's former name, Santa Fe Southern, is superseded.)
Official site ↗✓ Last verified: November 2026
Williams, AZ
SeasonDeparts daily year-round (except December 25)
The classic way to arrive: a daily, year-round train from Williams, Arizona to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon — closed only on December 25 — with a Polar Express season from November into January.
Official site ↗✓ Last verified: November 2026
Clarkdale, AZ
SeasonYear-round operation
Arizona's canyon train: a year-round excursion from Clarkdale into the Verde Canyon, along the river beneath red-rock walls — billed by its operator as the most scenic train ride in Arizona.
Official site ↗✓ Last verified: November 2026
Cedar Park, TX
SeasonExcursions January through June and September through November, typically on select Sundays, plus specials
Volunteer-run excursions from Cedar Park into the Texas Hill Country, on select Sundays from January to June and September to November. Despite the name, most rides are currently diesel-hauled while the steam restoration continues — and labelled so.
Official site ↗✓ Last verified: November 2026
Palestine, TX
SeasonExcursion season March through December, including Polar Express
Steam and diesel through the Piney Woods: a four-hour round trip between the historic depots at Palestine and Rusk, Texas, running March through December — with a Polar Express to finish the year.
Official site ↗✓ Last verified: November 2026
Grapevine, TX
SeasonMost Saturdays and Sundays mid-February through mid-November (Fridays added in summer); closed December 31 to February 22 for maintenance; North Pole Express in December
The Cotton Belt Route from Grapevine to the Fort Worth Stockyards: trains most weekends from mid-February to mid-November, and a North Pole Express in December.
Official site ↗✓ Last verified: November 2026
Gateway towns. Williams is the Grand Canyon base; stay the night before an early departure. Sedona and Clarkdale pair for the Verde Canyon; Chama and Santa Fe combine into one New Mexico trip.
