Spending a day on the rails is a day well spent in my book! Journey back in time on a historic railroad through the countryside of Western New York. Whether you’re making a day trip from nearby cities or just passing through, you won’t be disappointed with your ride. All aboard! Here’s how to spend a day on the rails with the Arcade & Attica Railroad!
About the A&A
The Arcade & Attica Railroad is the last operating steam train in New York State, and truly is like taking a step back in time. Located in the historic town of Arcade, the station is about a 45 minute drive from downtown Buffalo or about an hour and a half from Rochester (both drives are very scenic!). Tickets for the train can be booked online or in-person the day of. Trains do sell out, so to confirm your seat it’s best to book online and pick up your tickets the day of. Parking is located here, and you can enter the lot from Church Street by the Elementary School.
While they offer plenty of regular rides through the spring and summer, they also offer lots of special rides! My personal favorites are the fall foliage rides in October. Leaves in Western New York usually peak in mid-October so if you have an opportunity to ride the train then- do it! The Ale on the Rails beer train is always a fan favorite, and their murder mystery trains are always a good time. For families, there is no better activity than to ride the Winter Wonderland Express train up to the “North Pole”. Here, the kids can meet Santa and his reindeer, visit the elf house, and mail their wish lists. It’s magical for kids and adults alike.
At time of writing, the steam engine was out of service for repairs. The diesel engine was running for the 2021 season, but they expect it to be back for 2022.
Before the ride
The journey on the Arcade & Attica Railroad begins before you even step on board! As you’re arriving to the station, a conductor dressed in authentic train attire will stop traffic so you can safely cross the street. You can then get a glimpse of the train gearing up for the ride on the rails- feel free to walk up next to it and check it out! You may even cross paths with the engineers- they’d be more than happy to chat and answer any questions you have!
Make your way through the gift shop (named The Choo Choo Shop, which is just too adorable) into the station. If you don’t have time to shop before the ride, the store will also be open when you return. The historic station is like a museum, filled with historical artifacts and memorabilia. You can buy or pick up your tickets from their old-school ticket window and make your way to the snack counter to stock up on goodies for the ride. Their fresh popcorn is *chefs kiss*.
The train leaves promptly at the departure time, so you will want to arrive early for your ride so you have take this all in!
Tip: Use the restroom in the station before your ride! There are none onboard and only portable bathrooms at Curriers Station.
All aboard!
With a blow of the whistle and an “All Aboard!” by the crew, it’s time to start your journey! You’ll make your way outside of the town and into the beautiful WNY countryside. The ride is about 2 hours roundtrip, and the views will keep you entertained the entire way. You’ll pass by rolling hills, vast fields, and over creeks and rivers. Keep a sharp eye out- you may even spot animals such as deer or wild turkeys!
Along the ride, make your way to the back of the train to ride in the open car. Here, you can enjoy the fresh air and get unobstructed views. Plus, you can get an Insta-worthy shot of the rails behind you as you chug along. Along the way, conductors will make their way through the cars offering information about the train and answering any questions. They’ll also have fresh popcorn for sale, in case you didn’t get a chance to get some before. *Drool*
Tip: the steam locomotive burns soft coal and you may get covered in soot. Wear something that is ok to get dirty.
Curriers Station
After about 45 minutes riding the rails, you’ll arrive at Curriers Station. Here, you’ll get about 30 minutes to get off the train and explore the station. There is a jungle gym for the kids to play on (train-themed, of course) and burn off their excess energy. There are also historical trains that reside at Curriers permanently for you to take photos of and explore. Inside the iconic orange depot, rooms filled with more historical artifacts and photos are available for you to walk through. There is also a full snack shack with hot dogs, chips, drinks, and candy. In the fall and winter seasons, they’ll even offer special items such as apple cider, homemade chili, and hot chocolate.
For the train enthusiasts, this is also the best part of the show. The engine will detach from the train and make its way to the wye (the second set of tracks( for everyone to explore! The engineer, dressed in overalls and conductor hat, lets guests come up and peek inside. He’ll show you all the controls and let you take your photos! After everyone has had a chance to come through, the engine will make its way down the tracks and then reattach to the back of the train. It’s really cool to witness, whether you’re into trains or not!
With three sharp blasts of the whistle and another “All Aboard!”, it’s time to make your way back to Arcade!
Tip: Don’t forget to smoosh a penny! Lay one down on the wye and pick it up after the engine rides over it. You now have the ultimate souvenir!
After the ride
After your ride on the Arcade & Attica Railroad, you disembark back at the station in Arcade. If you didn’t get a chance before, take a stroll through The Choo Choo Shop for a souvenir or gift. The town of Arcade is pretty small, but take some time to stroll Main Street and bop in and out of the shops. Junk & Disorderly is one of my favorites. Here, you can find a blend of antiques and home decor (some of which is hand-made!). Their inventory is owned by individual vendors and changes constantly. It’s like a mini flea market! Cottrill’s is also a cute shop that has plenty of gifts and locally made products. The photo above was shot behind the shops and parking lot here. Pictured is the “Bridge to Nowhere” that you can walk for more shots of the creek and foliage.
Tip: The Arcade & Attica Railroad will sometimes do special promotions on their Facebook page and give away free tickets! Follow them by clicking here.
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