Grapevine Vintage Railroad 

Once upon a time, railroad travel was considered the epitome of refinement and sophistication. Advertisements boasted of their lines’ “deluxe” air conditioning and electric lighting. Speed and convenience were important considerations, but not the only ones. Traveling by rail was an experience, one for which people put on their Sunday finest and enjoyed from start to finish.

While the world has largely moved on to bullet trains and high-speed rails, you can still experience the genteel elegance of traveling in an early 20th-century train in Texas. The Grapevine Vintage Railroad offers modern-day tourists a ride inside 1920’s-era coaches, pulled by “Puffy,” the 1896 steam engine, or “Vinny,” a diesel GP7 engine. The Touring class coach is an open-air coach featuring vintage wooden-backed seats, ceiling fans, and heating during the winter, while the first class coach offers posh Victorian-style upholstered seating. Both coaches also include snack bars and restrooms.   

Grapevine Vintage Railroad runs three main routes throughout the year. The Cotton Belt Route is a 90-minute trip from the Grapevine Depot on Main Street to the historic Fort Worth Stockyards, a National Historic District full of shopping, dining, and entertainment venues. Shortly after the afternoon cattle drive, the train boards for the return leg to Grapevine. On the one-hour “mini excursion” known as the Trinity River Ride, guests are treated to an oral history of Fort Worth as they cross both channels of the Trinity River and pass through lovely Trinity Park. The Grapevine Fun Train, another hour-long journey, travels west from the Grapevine Depot toward Colleyville before reversing back to town.

The railroad also runs a slew of special events throughout the year. One of the most popular is the North Pole Express, a Christmas train ride in Grapevine featuring elves, caroling, “Frosty Chocolate Snow Milk,” and interaction with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Kids and parents also love the storytelling, live music, and Thomas the Tank Engine-themed fun during the annual Day Out with Thomas trains. One of the longest-running special events during the year is the Great Train Robberies, where “outlaws” stop your trip to the stockyards and have to be rounded up by your brave little law-girls and cowboys. For a more adult-oriented event, check out the Jazz Wine Train, a train excursion accompanied by wine tasting, dinner, and live music.

Whether you want to celebrate a holiday, throw an unforgettable birthday party, or just relax and watch the world go by on one of the few train rides in Texas, the Grapevine Vintage Railroad can help you do it in style.