New Hope and Ivyland Railroad

Climb aboard an old-fashioned passenger steam train and take in the sights and sounds of a romantic past. Ride through 35 miles of scenic countryside in beautiful Bucks County, replete with flowing streams, rock cuts and the awesome Rushland Trestle which towers over the Neshaminy Creek.

There’s an open-air car, antique seat coach and dining car. Enjoy a narrated tour of the county’s historic sights and learn what rail travel was like for generations past.

Tours reflect the changing seasons, and include fall foliage trains and Santa Claus trains as well as a wine and cheese excursion on weekend evenings.

The Ivyland Express started in 1962 by a group of Philadelphia area railroad enthusiasts and businessmen, who searched for local trackage and acquired vintage railroad equipment in order to start the tourist railroad.

The group obtained the northern 16.7 miles of the Reading Company’s New Hope Branch in central Bucks County, and began with a former Canadian National steam locomotive and seven steel suburban passenger coaches.

Steam passenger service between New Hope and Buckingham Valley began on August 6, 1966. Freight service was provided by diesels leased from the Reading.

The company soon ran into financial troubles, and filed for bankrupcty in 1971. But the rail line was beloved by loyal enthusiasts, and volunteers took over in 1980 to resume excursion service.

Currently, the for-profit Bucks County Railroad Preservation and Restoration Corporation has embarked on a $2 million effort to completely restore the New Hope and Ivyland Rail Road to its turn of the century ambience.

The Victorian New Hope station, freight house and boarding platform were refurbished, the tracks were rebuilt, and steam passenger service resumed in 1991.

Come Prepared

Passengers for regular excursion trains may board either at the New Hope or the Lahaska Stations. Passengers may get off at either station and take a later train back to their originating station.

Don’t Miss

The Evening Star Dinner Train, which offers a chance to ride the rails in first class comfort as you enjoy cocktails and dinner.

Outsider’s Tip

The witch’s hat New Hope train station, which is where you’ll purchase tickets, was once the location of the railroad telegraph operator who sent and received all messages for the town of New Hope, PA. The building has been in operation since 1891.