Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad, Kansas

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Abilene, Kansas · Updated October 19, 2026 · 13 min read

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesFlint Hills Express runs May to September; holiday trains in fall and winter

The Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad is a living history museum on rails: a nonprofit that carries passengers in vintage cars along 1886 Rock Island track through the Smoky Hill River Valley while narrators explain how the railroads built Kansas.

  • Official Kansas Heritage Railroad
  • Track built by the Rock Island in 1886
  • Santa Fe steam locomotive 3415
  • About two hours round trip
  • Volunteer association since 1993
  • Pumpkin and Santa trains

Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad at a glance

Hours
Depot May to August: Wed to Fri 8 am to 4 pm, Sat 8 am to 9 pm, Sun noon to 6 pm; off season varies by train
Admission
Varies by train; holiday trains $35 to $41 and dinner trains $72 to $110 as of October 2026
Train rides
Flint Hills Express May to September, about 2 hours round trip to Enterprise; seasonal and dinner trains in fall and winter
Seasonal events
Pumpkin Harvest Express, Cowtown Santa Express, Evergreen and Ember Express (groups), Smoky Valley Limited dinner trains
Plan for
About 2 hours for the round trip, plus time at the depot
Best for
Families who want a real train ride and history buffs
Best ages
Ages 2 and up

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Abilene.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

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Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

How a cowtown kept its railroad story moving

Kansas and the railroads grew up together, starting with the first train on Kansas soil in 1860. The Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad Association set out to tell that story in the most direct way possible, by putting people on a train. Since 1993 the association has carried close to 310,000 passengers, and it now holds the title of official Kansas Heritage Railroad.

The line itself is a piece of history. The excursion trains run east from the depot in Abilene over track the Rock Island Railroad built in 1886, following the Smoky Hill River Valley to the neighboring Dickinson County town of Enterprise. Along the way, narrators describe how railroads shaped the farm and cattle economy of the region, which is why the association calls itself an experiential learning museum rather than just a ride.

Power comes from either a diesel or the railroad's pride, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe steam locomotive 3415, which local tourism promoters describe as roughly a century old. The 3415 is now due for its federally required 15-year overhaul, and the association is raising money for that work and other capital improvements so the next generation of Kansas kids can hear it working. Volunteers staff the trains, the depot and the events, with members supporting everything from quarterly newsletters to the Wall of Honor in the depot.

Vintage coaches, an open-air car and the Smoky Hill valley

Your visit starts at the depot at 200 SE 5th Street in Abilene, where you pick up tickets and browse the gift shop. The Flint Hills Express runs from May through September, carrying passengers in vintage passenger cars behind a steam or diesel locomotive on a round trip of about 10.5 miles to Enterprise and back. The trip takes about two hours, and visitors can also choose an open-air car for the breeze and the view across the river valley.

Beyond the regular excursions, the railroad runs the Smoky Valley Limited dinner trains with Kansas home cooking from area restaurants, Meadowlark Flyer charters for schools, and private charters for weddings, reunions, birthdays and company events. Named cars like the Chicago and the Enterprise can be booked for private groups. Abilene's other attractions, including the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum and Old Abilene Town, are close by for a full day in town.

Don’t miss

  1. Santa Fe steam locomotive 3415The railroad's treasured steam engine, now due for its 15-year federal overhaul; check the schedule to see whether steam or diesel is pulling your train.
  2. The Flint Hills ExpressThe signature two-hour excursion from Abilene to Enterprise on 1886 Rock Island track, running May through September.
  3. The open-air carA favorite with kids on warm days, with nothing between you and the Smoky Hill River Valley.
  4. The Smoky Valley LimitedDinner trains that revive railroad dining with meals catered by local restaurants and kitchens from around the region.
  5. The depot Wall of HonorRecognition for the members whose support keeps the trains running.

Pumpkins, Santa and a real train to ride

This is a place where kids actually ride. The two-hour round trip is long enough to feel like a real train trip, and the open-air car gives children something to remember. For school groups, the Meadowlark Flyer charters turn the ride into a lesson on how railroads built Kansas.

The holiday trains are made for families. On the Pumpkin Harvest Express, the train stops at a pumpkin patch where each child picks a pumpkin and gets a trick-or-treat bag. The Cowtown Santa Express fills the antique coaches with holiday lights for a Christmas ride. For toddlers, a shorter seasonal event can be an easier first trip than the full excursion.

Plan your visit: tips for Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad

  • Book online or call the depot at (785) 263-1077 during depot hours; outside those hours call 1-800-514-3849.
  • Holiday trains run on set departure times, so buy tickets early for the day you want.
  • Members get pre-sale access for special events and gift shop discounts.
  • Times are Central Time; double check if you are driving in from another time zone.
  • Pair the ride with the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Old Abilene Town.

Late October brings the Pumpkin Harvest Express, a family ride through the Smoky Valley countryside to a pumpkin patch where kids choose a pumpkin and collect a trick-or-treat bag. From late November to just before Christmas, the Cowtown Santa Express lights up the antique coaches for the holidays, and groups of 24 to 160 can book the Evergreen and Ember Express with a catered meal. See more Halloween train rides in Kansas and Kansas Christmas train rides.

An association of members and volunteers

The railroad is run by the nonprofit Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad Association, with volunteers on the trains and in the depot. Memberships start at the Dispatcher level and include newsletters, gift shop certificates and excursion tickets at higher tiers. The association also takes donations toward the 3415's overhaul, sells gift certificates, and welcomes new volunteers through volmgr@asvrr.org.

Pair Abilene with these Kansas rail stops

The Newton Railroad Museum is about 60 miles south. Head about 83 miles east to see the 1880 Santa Fe locomotive at the Kansas Museum of History, or about 85 miles to Wichita's Great Plains Transportation Museum. Find more in our guide to train museums in Kansas.

Every train museum in Kansas

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of Rally the corgi looking out an arched train window at the ocean and a white bird
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

In our book, Rally presses his nose to an arched window, watches the ocean slide by and says hello to a white bird. Kansas has no ocean, but the Smoky Hill River Valley rolling past the window of a vintage coach feels like the same kind of wonder to me. My mom always believed the view is half the fun of a train. Read how her idea became our book on our story page.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.

Get the free coloring pages
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

More for train families

Work or volunteer at Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad?

We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad: 20 questions riders ask

How do I buy Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad tickets?

Buy tickets online at asvrr.org, where each ride lists its dates and times, or call the depot at (785) 263-1077 during depot hours. Outside depot hours, the reservation line is 1-800-514-3849, Monday to Saturday 8 am to 7 pm and Sunday 11 am to 7 pm Central. Gift certificates are also sold on the website.

How much are Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad tickets?

Prices depend on the train. As of October 2026, the Pumpkin Harvest Express and Cowtown Santa Express are $35 to $41, Murphy's Kitchen dinner trains are $72 to $110, and the Evergreen and Ember Express for groups is $80 per person with a meal. Check asvrr.org for current Flint Hills Express fares.

Are there discounts on Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad tickets?

The clearest way to save is membership. Association members get pre-sale access for special events and gift shop discounts, and higher membership levels include Flint Hills Express excursion tickets and dinner train tickets. The railroad does not post other discount codes online, so call (785) 263-1077 to ask about group or school rates.

Where does the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad go?

Trains leave the depot at 200 SE 5th Street in Abilene and head east through the Smoky Hill River Valley to the neighboring town of Enterprise, then return. The track was built by the Rock Island Railroad in 1886. A full run from Abilene to Enterprise and back takes about two hours.

Is there a map of the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad route?

The line runs east from Abilene to Enterprise in Dickinson County, following the Smoky Hill River Valley. Tourism listings describe it as a roughly 10.5-mile round trip on a 5.5-mile stretch of track. The railroad does not post a detailed route map online; ask at the depot or call (785) 263-1077.

How long is the Abilene and Smoky Valley train ride?

The Flint Hills Express round trip from Abilene to Enterprise and back takes about two hours. Holiday and dinner trains have their own schedules and lengths, and the Evergreen and Ember Express group party includes a leisurely two-hour scenic ride. Arrive early to park, check in at the depot and find your seats.

When does the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad run?

The Flint Hills Express excursion runs from May through September. As of October 2026, the Pumpkin Harvest Express runs late October, the Cowtown Santa Express runs from November 20 to December 23, and dinner trains run on select dates through December 31. Off-season depot hours vary by train, so check asvrr.org.

What locomotives are on the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad roster?

The star is Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe steam locomotive 3415, which is due for its federally mandated 15-year overhaul. Trains are pulled by either steam or diesel power, and the railroad's vintage passenger cars include the Chicago and the Enterprise, which can be chartered. The railroad does not post a full roster online.

Can you ride behind a steam engine on the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad?

The railroad runs trains with either steam or diesel power, and its steam engine is Santa Fe 3415. Because the 3415 is due for its federally required 15-year overhaul, steam may not be pulling every train. Call (785) 263-1077 before you book if riding behind steam matters to your family.

What do Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad reviews say?

Riders often mention the narration about how railroads built Kansas, the vintage coaches and the open-air car, and the holiday trains with kids. The railroad has been named among the top steam trips in the country. You can read recent reviews and see visitor photos on Tripadvisor and on its Facebook page.

Where can I see Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad photos?

The railroad's Facebook page, followed by more than 15,000 people, posts regular photos of the trains, the 3415 and seasonal events. Visitors also share pictures on its Tripadvisor listing. The open-air car and the holiday-lit coaches on the Cowtown Santa Express are two of the most photographed parts of a trip.

What is the Pumpkin Harvest Express in Abilene?

The Pumpkin Harvest Express is the railroad's Halloween season family train. It travels through the Smoky Valley countryside and stops at a pumpkin patch, where kids pick out a pumpkin and receive a trick-or-treat bag. As of October 2026, rides run October 24 to 31, with tickets from $35 to $41.

Does the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad have a Christmas train?

Yes. The Cowtown Santa Express fills the antique passenger coaches with holiday lights for a festive Christmas ride. As of October 2026, it runs from November 20 through December 23 with several departures on many days, and tickets cost $35 to $41. Buy early, since holiday trains are popular.

Does the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad run dinner trains?

Yes. The Smoky Valley Limited dinner trains revive railroad dining with Kansas home cooking from area restaurants. As of October 2026, dinner trains with Murphy's Kitchen run on select dates from October 31 to December 31 at $72 to $110. Check asvrr.org for the current caterers and dates.

Can I charter the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad for a party?

Yes. The railroad offers charter trips for weddings, receptions, reunions, corporate retreats, family gatherings, birthdays and other occasions, and its group holiday trains seat 24 to 160 guests with catered meals. Email groups@asvrr.org or call (785) 263-1077 to plan a charter.

Does the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad offer school field trips?

Yes. The railroad runs Meadowlark Flyer school charters, where students learn how railroads built Kansas and the United States while riding the historic line. The association describes itself as a living history museum, so the narration is built for learning. Contact groups@asvrr.org to schedule a class trip.

What are the Abilene and Smoky Valley depot hours?

As of October 2026, from May through August the depot is open Wednesday to Friday 8 am to 4 pm, Saturday 8 am to 9 pm and Sunday noon to 6 pm, all Central Time. Off-season hours vary by train and event. The depot is at 200 SE 5th Street in Abilene.

Is the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad good for toddlers?

Many families bring young children, especially on the Pumpkin Harvest Express and Cowtown Santa Express, which are designed for kids. The full excursion is about two hours, so bring snacks and a small toy for little ones. The railroad does not post stroller or accessibility details online; call (785) 263-1077 to ask.

How can I volunteer or become a member of the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad?

The Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad Association welcomes members at levels from Dispatcher, at $52.75 a year, up to Trainmaster. Benefits include a quarterly newsletter, gift shop certificates and ride tickets. For volunteer questions, email volmgr@asvrr.org. Donations also help fund the 3415's overhaul.

What train museums are near the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad?

The Newton Railroad Museum is about 60 miles away and the Emporia historic railroad collection about 66 miles. The Kansas Museum of History in Topeka, home to an 1880 Santa Fe locomotive, is about 83 miles east, and Wichita's Great Plains Transportation Museum is about 85 miles south.

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Kelsey Cecil
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