Arcade & Attica Railroad, New York

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Arcade, New York · Updated October 19, 2026 · 12 min read

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesWeekends Memorial Day to late September, plus October fall foliage trains

The Arcade & Attica Railroad is a working short line, incorporated in 1917 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, that runs New York State's only regularly operating steam passenger excursions behind its 107-year-old engine #18.

  • Incorporated in 1917
  • National Register of Historic Places
  • 107-year-old steam engine #18
  • Still hauls freight weekly
  • WWII-era coaches and open gondola
  • Fall foliage trains in October

Arcade & Attica Railroad at a glance

Hours
Weekend excursions Memorial Day weekend to the last full weekend of September; October steam foliage trains twice a day on weekends
Admission
Fall foliage 2026: adults $29, ages 2 to 12 $22, seniors 62+ and military $27, under 2 free on a lap
Train rides
Steam or diesel excursions from Arcade to Curriers Depot and back
Seasonal events
Season Opener, Fall Foliage, Senior Fall Foliage (Wednesdays), Wonderland Express, Murder Mystery Dinner Train, WWII Train Ride, Ales, Wine, Whiskey and Theater on the Rails
Plan for
About 2 to 2.5 hours
Best for
Families and steam fans
Best ages
All ages
Parking
Parking map available on the railroad's website

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

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Arcade & Attica 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 Arcade.

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.

A farm-country short line that never stopped working

The tracks between Arcade and Curriers were laid in the 1880s through countryside and farmland that, the railroad says, has changed very little since. The Arcade and Attica Railroad was incorporated in 1917, and for most of its life it has done what short lines do best: serve the farms and businesses along its route. Its main business is still handling agricultural products.

The line once ran all the way to Attica, but in 1957 flooding on Tonawanda Creek led to the abandonment of the stretch from North Java to Attica. Today the railroad runs between Arcade and North Java, and it keeps the distinction of being one of the last common carriers, running both freight and passenger trains every week.

Passenger excursions are where most visitors meet the railroad. Steam engine #18, now 107 years old, pulls vintage World War II era coaches, and the railroad is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Crews, staff and the people of Arcade have kept steam on these rails long after most lines gave it up, and the railroad calls itself the only steam train in New York State running regular passenger excursions.

From the Arcade station to Curriers and back

Your visit begins in the historic station in Arcade, where exhibits include antique railroad lanterns, switch locks, an old switch stand and original photographs. You buy tickets at the authentic ticket office, and there is a small gift shop and snack bar while you wait to board.

Then the whistle blows, the air brakes release, and the train heads out through farmland to Curriers Depot. There the engine uncouples, moves onto a siding, and you are free to look at the locomotive, take pictures and talk with the crew while they run around the train for the trip home. On the way back, try the open gondola car, which rides right in front of the engine, and listen to the exhaust as it climbs the hill out of Curriers.

Don’t miss

  1. Steam engine #18The 107-year-old locomotive that makes this New York's only regular steam excursion railroad.
  2. The run-around at Curriers DepotWatch the crew uncouple the engine, move it around the train and couple up again, and ask them questions while they work.
  3. The open gondolaOn the return trip it sits right ahead of the engine, the best seat for hearing a steam locomotive work up the grade.
  4. The Arcade station exhibitsLanterns, switch locks, a switch stand and original photographs set the scene before you board.
  5. The WWII-era coachesVintage coaches from the World War II era carry passengers on every excursion.

A steam engine up close

Children get to see a working steam locomotive closer than almost anywhere else: at Curriers they can watch the crew move the engine around the train and ask questions. Reviewers on the railroad's site mention a small model train for kids to play with at the Curriers stop, hot dogs and ice cream, and historic photos inside the buildings.

The fall foliage trip runs about 2 hours 20 minutes, so bring snacks for little ones. Infants under two ride free on a lap. In winter the Wonderland Express is the family favorite, and one reviewer with grandchildren ages 1 and 3 describes elves on the train, Santa and Mrs. Claus, reindeer to feed, face painting and a gift for every child.

Plan your visit: tips for Arcade & Attica Railroad

  • Buy all your tickets in one transaction so your group sits together; your seats are assigned.
  • Ride the open gondola on the return trip for the best steam sounds.
  • Local cider and doughnuts are sold on fall foliage trips.
  • If engine #18 is down, the diesel takes the run.
  • Check the parking map before you go.

October is fall foliage month, with the steam engine running an extended schedule of two trains each weekend day and cider and doughnuts for sale. In winter the Wonderland Express brings Santa, Mrs. Claus and holiday fun for small children. Find more holiday ideas in our list of Christmas train rides in New York.

A working railroad and its crews

The Arcade and Attica Railroad Corp. is a working short line, so the same railroad that serves its freight customers also runs the excursions. Its crews welcome questions at Curriers. Visitors support it by riding, booking charters, school field trips, birthdays and weddings, and shopping in the station gift shop.

More rail stops in Western New York

The Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh Railway Museum in Orchard Park is about 23 miles away, and the Salamanca Rail Museum about 30 miles south. The Medina Railroad Museum is about 47 miles north. For more, see our New York train museum guide.

Every train museum in New York

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of a conductor in a blue suit shaking Rally's paw on the train
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

At Curriers, the conductor throws the switch so the engine can come around for the trip home, and families can stand nearby and talk with the crew. I love that. In our book, Mr. Conductor in his blue uniform holds out a hand to Rally, and it's the kindest moment of the whole trip. Railroad people seem to be that way everywhere.

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 Arcade & Attica 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.

Arcade & Attica Railroad: 20 questions riders ask

Where is the Arcade & Attica Railroad?

The Arcade and Attica Railroad station is at 278 West Main Street in Arcade, NY 14009, in Wyoming County in Western New York. Excursions leave from the historic station in the village and run to Curriers Depot and back. Call (585) 492-3100 if you need directions.

Where do I park for the Arcade & Attica Railroad?

The railroad posts a parking map on its website showing its parking locations, with more detail on its FAQ tab. Check the map before you leave home, especially for busy fall foliage and Wonderland Express weekends, so you know where to go when you arrive in Arcade.

When does the Arcade & Attica Railroad run?

As of October 2026, regular excursions run every weekend from Memorial Day weekend until the last full weekend of September. October is fall foliage month, when the steam engine runs an extended schedule with two trains each weekend day. Special event trains run at other times; see the calendar at aarailroad.com.

What is the Arcade & Attica Railroad schedule today?

The railroad keeps its day-by-day train ride calendar on aarailroad.com, which is the best place to check today's departures. Trains do not run daily, so confirm before you drive out. You can also call (585) 492-3100 or message the railroad on Facebook.

How much are Arcade & Attica Railroad tickets?

As of October 2026, steam fall foliage tickets are $29 for adults 13 to 61, $22 for children 2 to 12, $27 for seniors 62 and up and military with ID, and free for infants under 2 on a lap. The Season Opener starts from $29 and the Murder Mystery Dinner Train from $78.

How long is the Arcade & Attica train ride?

The railroad describes its ride as 90-plus minutes of travel, and the fall foliage and Season Opener trips are listed at about 2 hours 20 minutes in total, including the stop at Curriers Depot. The Murder Mystery Dinner Train is about 3 hours.

Is the Arcade & Attica Railroad a real steam train?

Yes. Steam engine #18, now 107 years old, pulls the steam excursions, and the railroad says it is the only steam train in New York State running regular passenger excursions. If #18 is down for any reason, the vintage diesel takes the trip instead.

What happens at Curriers Depot on the Arcade & Attica Railroad?

At Curriers the engine uncouples, moves onto a siding and runs around the train for the trip back to Arcade. Riders can look at the locomotive, take pictures and talk with the crew. Reviewers also mention food such as hot dogs and ice cream and a small model train for kids.

What is the Arcade & Attica Wonderland Express?

The Wonderland Express is the railroad's winter holiday train for young families. One grandparent's review on the railroad's site describes elves on the train, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, feeding reindeer, face painting and a gift for every child. Dates and tickets are on aarailroad.com.

Does the Arcade & Attica Railroad run fall foliage trains?

Yes, and it is the railroad's most popular run. In October the steam engine runs two trains each weekend day through the hills of Western New York, with local cider and doughnuts for sale. A Senior Fall Foliage ride runs on Wednesdays only.

What special event trains does the Arcade & Attica Railroad offer?

Besides regular weekend rides, the railroad lists a Season Opener, Fall Foliage, the Wonderland Express, a Murder Mystery Dinner Train, a WWII train ride, and adult evenings called Ales, Wine, Whiskey and Theater on the Rails. Check the calendar at aarailroad.com for dates.

What is the Murder Mystery Dinner Train on the Arcade & Attica?

It is a live theater performance on the train, about three hours long, with dinner served off the train at Curriers Station by Catered Creations. As of October 2026, tickets start from $78. It is aimed at adults and older kids rather than toddlers.

Is the Arcade & Attica Railroad good for toddlers?

Yes, with some planning. Infants under 2 ride free on a lap, and the Wonderland Express is designed for little ones. Regular rides run a little over two hours with a stop at Curriers, so bring snacks and let toddlers stretch their legs at the depot.

Can families sit together on the Arcade & Attica Railroad?

Yes, if you buy all your tickets together. The railroad asks groups to purchase every ticket in one transaction, because the seats you buy are the seats you ride in. Buying separately can split your group across the train. This matters most for larger family groups on busy weekends.

What is in the Arcade & Attica station?

The historic station in Arcade has exhibits on American railroading, including antique railroad lanterns, switch locks, an old switch stand and original photographs. You buy tickets at the authentic ticket office, and there is a small gift shop and snack bar while you wait.

What is the history of the Arcade & Attica Railroad?

The line through the farm country around Arcade was laid in the 1880s, and the Arcade and Attica Railroad was incorporated in 1917. Flooding on Tonawanda Creek led to the abandonment of the North Java to Attica section in 1957. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Does the Arcade & Attica Railroad still carry freight?

Yes. It is an authentic short line and one of the last common carriers, running freight and passenger trains weekly. According to Wikipedia, its main freight business is handling agricultural products between Arcade and North Java. Excursion trains share the same rails as that working freight traffic.

Can I book a private charter on the Arcade & Attica Railroad?

Yes. The railroad offers private charters, school field trips, bus tours, work parties, weddings and birthdays throughout the year, using its steam or diesel engine and vintage coaches. Use the contact form on aarailroad.com, email info@aarailroad.com or call (585) 492-3100 to plan one.

What do reviews say about the Arcade & Attica Railroad?

The railroad says it is rated the number one thing to do in Arcade on Tripadvisor. Reviews it shares praise the friendly staff, the scenery, the Murder Mystery dinner stop and the Wonderland Express for young grandchildren. You can read the full reviews on its Tripadvisor page.

What train museums are near the Arcade & Attica Railroad?

The Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburgh Railway Museum in Orchard Park is about 23 miles away, the Salamanca Rail Museum about 30 miles, and the Buffalo Transportation Pierce-Arrow Museum about 33 miles. The Medina Railroad Museum is about 47 miles north.

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