What Kinds of Train Rides and Excursions Does New Hope Railroad Offer?

New Hope Railroad runs three broad categories of excursions out of Bucks County, Pennsylvania: daytime scenic rides, dinner trains, and seasonal Santa-themed trips. The right one depends mainly on who you're bringing and what you want the trip to feel like — a relaxed sightseeing outing, an evening meal on board, or a holiday event built around children.

Scenic Excursions

These are the standard daytime trips and the simplest way to experience the railroad. You ride through the hills and valleys of Bucks County, with the scenery doing most of the work.

Best for: families with young kids, first-time visitors, anyone who wants a short, low-commitment outing.

What to expect: a round-trip ride rather than a destination stop. The appeal is the journey itself — the countryside views and the novelty of rail travel — not arriving somewhere.

Dinner Trains

The dinner train takes the same scenic route and adds a meal service on board, shifting the experience from sightseeing to an evening out.

Best for: couples, date nights, anniversaries, adult groups, or anyone marking an occasion.

What to expect: a longer, more structured event than a daytime ride, with dining as the centerpiece. Because it's positioned as a premium experience, it's the option to choose when the meal and atmosphere matter more than the scenery alone.

Santa Train Rides

The Santa trains are seasonal holiday excursions, timed to the Christmas period and aimed squarely at children and families.

Best for: families with young children, grandparents bringing grandchildren, group holiday outings.

What to expect: a festive, character-driven trip rather than a quiet scenic ride. Book early — holiday-themed departures are the most date-sensitive of the three and fill around the season.

Choosing Between Them

Two practical notes: the dinner train is the premium-priced option, so budget accordingly, and the Santa trains are limited to the holiday season, so your dates are constrained in a way the other two aren't. For current schedules, departure times, and fares, check newhoperailroad.com directly, since availability varies by season and by trip type.