Arkansas & Missouri Railroad in Springdale, Arkansas

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Springdale, Arkansas · Updated October 19, 2026 · 11 min read

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesExcursions in season, plus fall foliage and holiday trains

The Arkansas & Missouri Railroad is a working regional freight railroad that also carries passengers in refurbished antique coaches and parlor cars through the Ozark foothills of the Boston Mountains, over trestles and through a tunnel.

  • Working freight and passenger railroad
  • Vintage coaches and parlor cars
  • Trestles and a tunnel near Winslow
  • Fall foliage excursions
  • Holiday Express Pajama Train
  • Under 4 rides free

Arkansas & Missouri Railroad at a glance

Hours
Train schedule varies by season and route; check the current timetable online
Admission
Fares vary by route and season; see the railroad's ticket page or call (800) 687-8600
Train rides
Excursions from Springdale and Van Buren to Winslow and Van Buren; fall foliage trains October to mid-November; Holiday Express Pajama Train
Seasonal events
Fall Foliage excursions, Holiday Express Pajama Train
Plan for
About 3 hours for shorter runs; most of a day for Springdale to Van Buren
Best for
Scenery lovers, rail fans and families with school-age kids
Best ages
Ages 5 and up for full-day trips; all ages for the pajama train

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

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Arkansas & Missouri 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 Springdale.

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 freight railroad that still makes room for passengers

Most excursion trains run on track saved for tourists. The Arkansas & Missouri Railroad is different: it is a working regional freight railroad based in Springdale, moving freight between Springdale and Van Buren and Fort Smith and interchanging traffic with three Class I railroads. It also offers transloading and logistics services to shippers across the region.

Alongside that daily freight work, the A&M keeps a fleet of refurbished antique passenger coaches and parlor cars, and its passenger trains share the same rails as the freight. Arkansas tourism describes it as one of the few commercial lines left in the United States that runs both freight and passenger service. Because excursions move over a busy working railroad, the company notes it keeps to posted schedules as closely as it can.

The passenger side has grown into a full calendar. Riders can leave from Springdale for a long day trip to historic Van Buren with a layover for lunch and shopping, or board in Van Buren for a shorter climb over the Boston Mountains to Winslow and back. In autumn the fall foliage trains are a northwest Arkansas tradition, and at the holidays a one-hour Holiday Express Pajama Train brings out the youngest riders. A dedicated passenger train staff handles bookings and private charters, and the railroad also offers a free Operation Lifesaver rail safety seminar.

Over the mountain to Winslow and Van Buren

The scenery is the attraction here. Trains roll through the foothills of the Boston Mountains, and the stretch between Van Buren and Winslow is the one rail fans mention most, because it crosses tall trestles and passes through a tunnel. Fall foliage trips run from October into mid-November, when the hills turn color.

Inside, passengers ride in climate-controlled vintage coaches, with cafe and parlor cars and glass-dome seating on some trips. On the long Springdale to Van Buren run, the train lays over in Van Buren for a few hours so you can have lunch and walk the historic town before the ride home, and some itineraries have included a layover in Fort Smith with time for trolley and carriage rides.

Don’t miss

  1. The Winslow tunnel and trestlesThe Van Buren to Winslow run crosses trestles and goes through a tunnel, the most dramatic stretch of the line.
  2. Glass-dome seatingDome seats offer the widest view of the Boston Mountains, especially during fall foliage season.
  3. Historic Van Buren layoverThe day trip from Springdale includes a stopover in Van Buren for lunch and shopping before the return.
  4. Holiday Express Pajama TrainA one-hour round trip for families at the holidays, with kids welcome in their pajamas.
  5. Refurbished parlor carsAntique passenger and parlor cars restored for excursion service, running on the same rails as the freight trains.

Long rides for big kids, a pajama train for little ones

The full-day trips are long, around eight hours from boarding to return, so they suit school-age kids who can enjoy a tunnel, trestles and a lunch stop. Shorter runs of about three hours, like Springdale to Winslow or Van Buren to Winslow, are easier with younger children.

For toddlers and preschoolers, the one-hour Holiday Express Pajama Train is the best fit. The railroad has long let children 3 and under ride free, with discounts for kids and seniors, but confirm current fares when you book.

Plan your visit: tips for Arkansas & Missouri Railroad

  • Book online or by phone at (800) 687-8600 or (479) 750-7291; fall dates fill quickly.
  • Plan for a full day on the Springdale to Van Buren trip, which includes a multi-hour layover.
  • Choose the Van Buren to Winslow route for the tunnel and trestles in a shorter ride.
  • Schedules can shift because the excursions run on a working freight railroad.
  • Follow the railroad on Facebook and Instagram for special trains and updates.

In autumn the A&M runs fall foliage excursions from October into mid-November, and at the holidays its one-hour Holiday Express Pajama Train is a short, cozy ride for families with little kids. For more holiday options around the state, see our guide to Christmas train rides in Arkansas.

Railroaders who run freight and passengers

The Arkansas & Missouri is a private railroad company with its own passenger train manager and staff alongside its freight crews. Visitors support the passenger service by riding, booking private charters for special occasions and following the railroad's Facebook and Instagram pages for new trips.

Pair your ride with these nearby rail stops

The Eureka Springs & North Arkansas Railway is about 27 miles away, and the Fort Smith Trolley Museum, about 58 miles south, makes a good companion to a ride toward Van Buren. The Branson Scenic Railway is about 60 miles northeast. Find more on our Arkansas train museums and rides page.

Every train museum in Arkansas

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor view from inside a dark tunnel looking out at a sunny beach and cliffs
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

When a train slips into a tunnel, every kid holds their breath. The run to Winslow goes through one, and it is exactly the moment I painted in our book: the car goes dark, then a big bright light floods back in and everybody cheers. Rally cheers loudest, tucked between Mom and Dad. If your little one wants to color that tunnel at home, our coloring pages are free to print.

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.

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More for train families

Work or volunteer at Arkansas & Missouri 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.

Arkansas & Missouri Railroad: 20 questions before you ride

What train rides does the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad offer?

The A&M runs scenic excursions in vintage coaches through the Boston Mountains, including Springdale to Van Buren with a layover, Van Buren to Winslow, and Springdale to Winslow, which is about a three-hour round trip. It also runs fall foliage trains, a one-hour Holiday Express Pajama Train and special trips through the year.

How much are Arkansas & Missouri Railroad tickets?

Fares depend on the route, the day and the season, with fall foliage trips usually priced higher than summer runs. Because prices change, check the ticket page at amrailroad.com or call (800) 687-8600 or (479) 750-7291 for current fares before you plan. The railroad has long offered discounts for children and seniors.

Do kids ride free on the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad?

The railroad's timetable has listed children 3 and under as riding free, with 10 percent off for children 4 to 16 and for passengers 65 and older. Confirm the current policy when you book, since fares and discounts can change from season to season.

Where does the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad excursion leave from?

The railroad's offices and Springdale depot are at 306 East Emma Ave, Springdale, Arkansas 72764. Some trips board in Springdale and others at the Van Buren depot, so check which station your ticket uses. Call (800) 687-8600 if you are unsure where to board.

How long is the Springdale to Van Buren train trip?

Plan on most of the day. On the railroad's posted schedules the train boards around 7:45 am in Springdale and returns in the late afternoon, covering about 134 miles round trip with a stopover of two and a half to three hours in Van Buren for lunch and shopping. Confirm current times when booking.

What is the Van Buren to Winslow train ride like?

It is the shorter, most scenic run: about 70 miles round trip and roughly two and a half to three hours, climbing over the Boston Mountains to Winslow. The train crosses trestles and goes through a tunnel along the way. Lunch has been available on this run for an extra charge when reserved ahead.

When are the Arkansas & Missouri fall foliage trains?

Fall foliage excursions run from October into mid-November, on selected weekdays and Saturdays, when the Boston Mountains change color. These are the railroad's busiest trips, so book early. Exact dates and fares are posted online each year, or call (800) 687-8600.

Does the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad have a Christmas train?

Yes. The Holiday Express Pajama Train is a one-hour round trip offered during the holiday season, and families are welcome to come in pajamas. Dates and tickets are posted on amrailroad.com and announced on the railroad's Facebook and Instagram pages, and they tend to sell out.

Is the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad a real working railroad?

Yes. The A&M is a regional freight railroad that moves freight between Springdale and Van Buren and Fort Smith, interchanging with three Class I railroads, and it also offers transloading and logistics. Its passenger excursions share the same working rails, which is why schedules may shift slightly.

What kind of passenger cars does the Arkansas & Missouri use?

Passengers ride in refurbished antique passenger coaches and parlor cars. The fleet has been described as climate controlled, with cafe and parlor cars and glass-dome seating on some trips. Ask when booking which car class is available on your date if you want a dome seat.

Is food available on Arkansas & Missouri Railroad excursions?

On the long Springdale to Van Buren trip, lunch is on your own during the Van Buren layover. On shorter runs such as Van Buren to Winslow, the railroad has offered lunch for an added fee if you reserve it with your ticket. Ask about current meal options when you book.

Is the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad good for young kids?

It depends on the trip. Full-day rides suit school-age kids who can handle a long day. Younger children usually do better on a roughly three-hour run like Van Buren to Winslow, with its tunnel and trestles, or on the one-hour Holiday Express Pajama Train in December.

Can I book a private charter on the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad?

Yes, the railroad offers private charters for all kinds of occasions, from family celebrations to company outings. Details and pricing are not posted online, so call the passenger department at (800) 687-8600 or (479) 750-7291 to talk through dates and group size.

How do I buy Arkansas & Missouri Railroad tickets?

Tickets can be bought online through the railroad's website or by phone at (800) 687-8600 or (479) 750-7291. Booking ahead is wise, especially for fall foliage dates and the holiday pajama train, which often fill up well before the day.

Does the Arkansas & Missouri go to Fort Smith?

Its freight service reaches Van Buren and Fort Smith. On the passenger side, the railroad has offered itineraries with a Fort Smith layover for lunch, historic tours, trolley and carriage rides, with part of the return by motor coach. Check the current timetable to see whether a Fort Smith trip is running.

What is the Operation Lifesaver seminar from the Arkansas & Missouri?

The railroad offers a free Operation Lifesaver seminar, a rail safety program that teaches people how to stay safe around tracks and trains. It is a good fit for schools, scout troops and community groups. Call (800) 687-8600 to ask about scheduling one.

Are Arkansas & Missouri trains on time?

Because excursion trains run on a working freight railroad, the A&M says it keeps to schedules as closely as possible, but delays can happen. Build a little flexibility into your day, especially if you have dinner plans after a long trip.

Is the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad wheelchair accessible?

The railroad does not post accessibility details online. Vintage coaches often have steps at the doors, so call (800) 687-8600 before booking to ask which cars and boarding points work best for a wheelchair, walker or stroller.

How can I follow Arkansas & Missouri Railroad news?

The railroad asks riders to follow it on Instagram and Facebook for regular updates on special trains, new dates and schedule changes. Its website lists current rides and tickets, and the passenger department can answer questions at (800) 687-8600.

What train attractions are near Springdale, Arkansas?

The Eureka Springs & North Arkansas Railway is about 27 miles away, the Fort Smith Trolley Museum about 58 miles, and the Branson Scenic Railway about 60 miles. Rail fans can also reach the Frisco Railroad Museum in Springfield, Missouri, about 87 miles away.

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