Both adventures offer an equally enchanting onboard experience. However, Santa’s Steam Train Ride provides passengers with a nostalgic journey aboard a vintage steam locomotive powered train, in contrast to the Diesel-powered locomotive used for Santa’s North Pole Express Train. Steam locomotives, steeped in a rich history, embody the romance of the early era of rail travel, offering a unique experience that diesel locomotives can’t match. Their distinct aesthetics, characterized by steam, the iconic whistle, and timeless design, captivate both rail enthusiasts and the public. Moreover, they are a fascinating educational tool, offering insights into early industrial-era engineering and mechanics.
Due to the historic nature of our railcars, New Hope Railroad’s passenger train does not meet current Americans with Disabilities Act standards with respect to accessibility. For individuals who use a wheelchair, a mobility device, or have difficulty navigating steps, we do have a ramp to our high-level train station platform. Though we cannot guarantee accessibility, we have a variety of accommodation options available, and we will make a reasonable effort to provide each and every guest who wishes to ride the opportunity to do so. If you are concerned about whether you or a member of your traveling party will be able to board the train, we recommend contacting our Customer Care Call Center to discuss your particular circumstances at 215-862-2332.
Only service animals will be permitted on-board trains, at all train stations and railroad property where members of the public are allowed to go; all others are prohibited.
Service Animals are Defined by Title II and Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). A service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties. Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
While most of our First and Coach Class cars are equipped with compact restrooms that are not ADA-compliant, we highly advise passengers to make use of the restroom facilities at our New Hope Train Station. These restrooms are ADA-accessible and come equipped with baby changing stations for your convenience.
Convenient onsite parking is available at the New Hope Train Station for an additional hourly fee. Guests are advised to arrive at least 30 minutes before their scheduled departure time. Local traffic and parking can delay your arrival time. Parking spaces are based on availability and can not be guaranteed. The lot will close when capacity is reached. Limited handicapped parking is available.
Our property has a special parking area that can accommodate a limited number of buses and RVs on any given day. If possible, please call us at (215) 862-2332 before your visit so we can reserve a spot for you.
Yes. All excursions and events operate rain or shine. However, customers will be promptly informed if the railroad determines that an excursion or event must be canceled due to severe weather or other unforeseen conditions.
Please note that schedules are adhered to as closely as possible, but the New Hope Railroad reserves the right, without liability and notice, to cancel and/or otherwise modify the schedule, fares, times, dates, routing, motive power, equipment and/or seat selection on any excursion, train and/or event whenever, in its judgment, circumstances warrant. The railroad is not responsible for the lack of sufficient capacity or adverse weather conditions that prevent operations. All excursions, trains, and events are subject to availability.
At the New Hope Railroad, our commitment is to provide an efficient, user-friendly, and secure ticket-purchasing process. We utilize advanced technologies, robust hardware and software systems, and dedicated customer support services to achieve this. These resources are crucial in managing and maintaining our reservation system, website, and credit card processing. Our processing fee covers the costs associated with these critical services, including Web Hosting: The costs incurred in maintaining a secure and reliable online platform for customers to access our services. Ticketing Hardware and Software: Investments in cutting-edge technology to streamline the ticketing process and maintain the integrity and security of our systems. Customer Support: The necessary expenses to provide comprehensive customer service, including staff training and compensation. Credit Card Processing Services: Fees associated with securing credit card transactions, which banks and credit card companies impose. Merchant Fees: Costs facilitating electronic transactions and maintaining business relationships with financial institutions. Infrastructure: The upkeep and modernization of computer hardware, software, and telecommunication lines. As a customer-centric organization, we strive to keep this fee as low as possible. We appreciate your understanding that the processing fee is necessary to provide you with the superior and efficient service you expect from the New Hope Railroad.
Cash is no longer accepted at the New Hope Railroad for payment. However, we do accept all American Express, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa, JCB and UnionPay credit cards.
The New Hope Railroad offers a variety of passenger excursion train rides that will take you through the beautiful hills and valleys of historic Bucks County, PA. A narrator will detail the many interesting facts as you travel on your excursion. Our passenger trains are pulled by either our antique 1925 Baldwin steam locomotive or one of our vintage diesel locomotives.
Yes, the Railroad’s gift shop is unique in that it not only sells Railroad specific items but also sells locally produced arts and crafts.
For the person who has everything, the Railroad has the perfect gift. A locomotive cab ride. The cab is the portion of the locomotive were the locomotive’s operating crew works, and when you ride in the cab, your riding in the front of the train with the locomotive engineer! Cab rides can be purchased as a gift certificate, online, or at the day of your excursion. We recommend purchasing your cab ride in advance as there is only room for one person, and they can sell out quickly.
No. Due to the narrow vestibules and door openings on our historic passenger cars, bicycles will not fit or be secured safely aboard our trains.
Our First Class Parlor cars are equipped with air-conditioned and heat while the Railroad’s Coach Class cars are heated during the colder months of the year. Coach Class cars have windows that can be opened.
We ask that you arrive for your scheduled excursion at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time, and/or event time so you have adequate time to park and use the restrooms.
Trains will begin boarding approximately 10 minutes before departure. Trains depart promptly according to the posted timetable.
Depending on which excursion you have chosen, your train ride may take you to Lahaska, Buckingham, Wycombe or even as far as Warminster, PA
You can view our Ticket fares after adding items to your online shopping cart.
New Hope Railroad
32 West Bridge Street
New Hope, PA 18938
You can also find our location on our Map and Directions Page.
Seating is on a first come basis, and can not be guaranteed. We recommend that groups arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled train departure time or event time.
Our Steam and Diesel Locomotives operates at various times during the year, based on the needs of the Railroad, maintenance and other factors. Please check our excursion web pages, as they will indicate what type of motive power will be used (Steam or Diesel).
NOTE: Motive power and equipment used can vary from time to time on any excursion, train and/or event. The New Hope Railroad reserves the right, without liability and notice, to cancel and/or otherwise modify the schedule, fares, times, dates, routing, motive power, equipment and/or seat selection on any excursion, train and/or event whenever, in its judgment, circumstances warrant.
All joking aside, this funny question does come up! Consistent with most rail travel, trains operate on a fixed timetable, so the 1 pm train does leave the station at 1 pm! Ticketed passengers board the train approximately 10 minutes before departure, and tickets are collected onboard the train once en route.
Our Traditional excursion train rides to Lahaska are approximately 60-minute round-trip.
Other Excursions vary in length of time from 1 to 2 hours, or more.
No. We are a no smoking property. Smoking is not permitted aboard any train, in any building or anywhere on railroad property. We appreciate your cooperation.
Our excursions/events do occasionally sell out and we always recommend that customers buy their Tickets online and ahead of time.
No. Advanced online e-ticket purchases are suggested, however, e-Tickets can be purchased at our Walk-up (onsite) KIOSKS located on our station platform.
No. Tickets are not refundable or exchangeable and will not be replaced if lost, stolen, or destroyed. However, in certain circumstances, we do allow you to change your Ticket to a later date and/or time, if available or a credit may be offered.
When the train arrives in the station and passengers have detrained, our train personnel will make sure the train is clean and ready for reboarding. Once the train staff is ready to begin boarding, an announcement will be made directing you to board the train.
