Cape Cod Central Railroad in Hyannis, Massachusetts

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Hyannis, Massachusetts · Updated October 19, 2026 · 13 min read

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesRegular trains from Easter brunch through October; THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride in November and December

The Cape Cod Central Railroad carries passengers over about 27 miles of former New Haven Railroad track between Hyannis and Buzzards Bay, past salt marshes, dunes and cranberry bogs that most visitors to the Cape never see from the road.

  • About 27 miles of former New Haven track
  • Excursions from $29.99
  • Crosses the Cape Cod Canal bridge
  • THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride
  • Founded in 1999
  • Runs rain or shine

Cape Cod Central Railroad at a glance

Hours
Train times vary by ride and date; reservations office 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday
Admission
Excursions from $29.99; Canal Excursion from $39.99; lunch and brunch from $74.99; dinner from $99.99
Train rides
Narrated excursions, dining trains and themed trains Easter through October; THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride in November and December
Seasonal events
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride, Myths and Legends of Cape Cod Halloween Train, Murder Mystery Dinner Train, Jazz Sunday Brunch Train, Easter Brunch
Plan for
About 2 to 3.5 hours depending on the train
Best for
Families, couples and anyone touring Cape Cod
Best ages
Ages 3 to 12 for THE POLAR EXPRESS; all ages for excursions

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

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Cape Cod Central 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 Hyannis.

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.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

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

Bringing passenger trains back to the Cape

Railroads first reached Cape Cod in 1848, when service extended to Sandwich. Freight for the Boston & Sandwich Glass Company was the original reason, but passengers soon wanted to ride too, and by 1887 the line connected 14 of the Cape's 15 towns. Over the following decades it was run by the Cape Cod Railroad, the Old Colony Railroad and the New Haven Railroad. Today's company takes its name from an earlier Cape Cod Central Railroad that ran from 1861 to 1868, though the two are not related.

Year-round passenger service on the Cape ended by 1959, and much of the old right of way became the Cape Cod Rail Trail and the Shining Sea Bikeway. The current Cape Cod Central Railroad was founded in 1999 to put passenger trains back on the surviving main line, which is owned by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

The railroad is part of Cape Rail, Inc., which also runs the Massachusetts Coastal Railroad, a freight line. Together the two cover about 100 miles of track. Along the way, the passenger railroad has kept company with history: the West Barnstable station and the Buzzards Bay dispatch tower and depot both date to 1911, and Gray Gables Station, built in 1892 and named for President Grover Cleveland's nearby summer home, still stands as a museum.

Marshes, bogs and the big lift bridge

The signature ride is the narrated Cape Cod Excursion from Hyannis and West Barnstable, a round trip of about two hours that rolls through West Barnstable and Sandwich and out to the Cape Cod Canal, past sand dunes, salt marshes, glimpses of the bay and cranberry bogs. The narrator explains the canal's history and how cranberries are harvested. From Buzzards Bay, the Canal Excursion crosses the Cape Cod Canal Railroad Bridge, completed in 1935 and described by the railroad as the second longest bridge of its kind in the world, then follows the canal to Sandwich.

Dining trains are the other half of the schedule: a four-course dinner train served on white linens, a weekday luncheon train, Sunday brunch and a Jazz Sunday Brunch with a live quartet. In season, the West Barnstable Train Station and Museum on Route 149 opens on Saturdays, and the fleet includes dome cars with panoramic upper-level windows and double-decker coaches.

Don’t miss

  1. Cape Cod Canal Railroad BridgeCompleted in 1935, the bridge carries dinner and canal trains over the canal at Buzzards Bay, and the railroad calls it the second longest of its kind in the world.
  2. Cranberry bogs and salt marshesStretches of the route are reachable only by rail, and narrators explain how the bogs are harvested.
  3. West Barnstable Train Station and MuseumA 1911 station on Route 149 that doubles as a small museum, open Saturdays only.
  4. The dome carsTwo dome cars with panoramic windows host the premium tables on THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride.
  5. Buzzards Bay dispatch tower and depotBoth built in 1911, they anchor the railroad's western end beside the canal.

Pajamas, cocoa and a two-hour ride

For families with young children, the narrated Cape Cod Excursion is the easiest fit: about two hours long, rated for all ages, and priced from $29.99. Kids watch for the canal and the bogs while the narrator tells stories. In fall, the Myths and Legends of Cape Cod Halloween train shares folklore and ghost stories for all ages.

THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride is the big draw from late November through December, with a merry cast leading a round trip to the North Pole set to the film's soundtrack. Child tickets cover ages 3 to 12. Standard Class seats are in rows on double-decker cars, and the railroad warns that buying two different classes splits a party into different cars.

Plan your visit: tips for Cape Cod Central Railroad

  • Trains run rain or shine.
  • Wednesday excursions in summer run about 2.5 hours instead of 2.
  • Buy all tickets in one class, or your party will be seated in different cars.
  • From January to April the office is lightly staffed; email is the best way to reach it.
  • Groups of 25 or more qualify for group pricing through the group form.

Late in the season, the railroad turns spooky with the Myths and Legends of Cape Cod Halloween train and a Murder Mystery Dinner Train on October 29 and 31; compare them with other Halloween train rides in Massachusetts. In November and December, THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride takes over, with discounted opening weekend fares and premium tables in the dome cars. It is one of the best known Christmas train rides in Massachusetts, so book early.

The crews behind Cape Train

The Cape Cod Central Railroad is operated by Cape Rail, Inc., the same company that runs the Mass Coastal freight railroad, with crews, narrators, chefs and a reservations team keeping the trains running from spring into the holidays. The railroad posts employment openings through its contact page and sets aside a fixed number of tickets each year for charitable donation requests.

Off-Cape rail stops for another day

About 28 miles from the Cape, Edaville in Carver adds a family train park to the trip. The Old Colony & Fall River Railroad Museum is about 45 miles west, and the Newport Railway in Rhode Island is about 50 miles away. Browse the full list of Massachusetts train museums.

Every train museum in Massachusetts

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of a dad lifting Rally the corgi up the big stairs of a red train car
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

Standard Class on THE POLAR EXPRESS here means a double-decker car, and the first thing I picture is a corgi at the bottom of those steps. In our book, Rally's little legs just can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad scoops him up and gives him a boost. Every small rider deserves that kind of help. Our favorite train books for toddlers make good reading before a big trip.

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 Cape Cod Central 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.

Cape Cod Central Railroad: 20 questions before you ride

How much are Cape Cod Central Railroad tickets?

As of October 2026, the narrated Cape Cod Excursion from Hyannis starts at $29.99, the Canal Excursion from Buzzards Bay at $39.99, the luncheon, Sunday brunch and Jazz brunch trains at $74.99, the dinner train at $99.99 and the Murder Mystery Dinner Train at $114.99. Prices vary by date and class, so check capetrain.com when you book.

How do I buy Cape Cod Central Railroad tickets?

Book online at capetrain.com, where you can search by date and choose a ride and class of service. You can also call the reservations department at (888) 797-7245, 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday, or email reservations@capetrain.com about an existing booking. Groups of 25 or more should use the group request form.

What is the Cape Cod Central Railroad dinner train like?

The Cape Cod Dinner Train is the railroad's most popular dining train. A fresh four-course meal is prepared and served on white linens in traditional rail style during a ride of about 3 to 3.5 hours, and the train often crosses the Cape Cod Canal on the Buzzards Bay railroad bridge. As of October 2026, fares start at $99.99.

When does the Cape Cod dinner train run?

Regular trains, including the dinner train, run from Easter through October, and dates vary by week. The railroad lists every departure on its search-by-date calendar at capetrain.com, which is the most reliable schedule. Dinner trains sell out, so pick a date and book as early as you can.

Does the Cape Cod Central Railroad run THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride?

Yes. THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride runs in November and December, with a merry cast leading a round trip to the North Pole to meet Santa, set to the film's soundtrack. The railroad's Polar Express details list a ride of about 1.5 hours departing from the Buzzards Bay depot at 70 Main Street. Tickets for 2026 are on sale.

How much are Cape Cod Central Polar Express tickets?

As of October 2026, regular Standard Class fares are $69 for children 3 to 12 and $79 for adults, with matinee Standard Class at $54 and $64 and cheaper opening weekend fares November 20 to 22. First Class is higher, and table classes, including dome car tables of four or six, are sold as whole tables.

What do Cape Cod Central Railroad Polar Express reviews say?

The railroad has a Tripadvisor page where families post reviews of THE POLAR EXPRESS and its other trains, and its Facebook page is busy during the holidays. Reviews often focus on seating class, so note the railroad's warning that mixing classes splits a party across cars. Read recent reviews for this season's impressions.

Where does the Cape Cod Central Railroad go?

Trains run over about 27 miles of former New Haven Railroad track between Hyannis and Buzzards Bay. Riders travel through West Barnstable and Sandwich and along the Cape Cod Canal, passing sand dunes, salt marshes, cranberry bogs and glimpses of the bay. Canal trains from Buzzards Bay cross the Canal Railroad Bridge.

Is there a Cape Cod Central Railroad route map?

The railroad describes its route rather than posting a detailed map on its main pages: Hyannis to West Barnstable, Sandwich and the Cape Cod Canal, with Buzzards Bay at the western end. Its contact page links Google maps for each depot, including Hyannis, West Barnstable, Sandwich and Buzzards Bay.

Where are the Cape Cod Central Railroad stations?

The Hyannis Depot is at 252 Main Street in Hyannis, and the Buzzards Bay Depot is at 70 Main Street in Buzzards Bay. The West Barnstable Train Station and Museum is at 2469 Meetinghouse Way on Route 149, and Sandwich Depot at 38 Jarves Street is used for charters. The railroad is about 40 minutes south of Plymouth.

Where do I park for the Cape Cod Central Railroad?

The railroad does not post parking details on its main pages. Each ticket is tied to a departure depot, either Hyannis at 252 Main Street or Buzzards Bay at 70 Main Street, so check your confirmation and the ride's page, or call (888) 797-7245, before you leave for the station.

What are the Cape Cod Central Railroad office hours?

As of October 2026, the reservations department answers phones at (888) 797-7245 from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. Train departure times vary by ride and date. From January to April staffing is limited, so email info@capetrain.com or reservations@capetrain.com, and expect a reply in two to three business days.

Does the Cape Cod Central Railroad have a railfan day?

The railroad does not list a railfan day among its current rides. Its posted events focus on excursions, dining trains, Halloween trains and THE POLAR EXPRESS. For news of special events, check the upcoming rides on capetrain.com or follow the railroad's Facebook page, or email info@capetrain.com to ask.

What upcoming events does the Cape Cod Central Railroad have?

As of October 2026, the fall lineup includes the new Myths and Legends of Cape Cod Halloween train, from $29.99, and a Murder Mystery Dinner Train on October 29 and 31. THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride starts November 20. Easter brunch opens the next regular season.

Is the Cape Cod Central Railroad good for kids?

Yes. The excursion, brunch and Halloween trains are all listed for all ages, and the two-hour narrated excursion suits most young riders. THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride, with child fares for ages 3 to 12, is built for families. Trains run rain or shine, which makes them a good rainy-day plan on the Cape.

When was the Cape Cod Central Railroad founded?

The current Cape Cod Central Railroad was founded in 1999, decades after year-round passenger service on the Cape ended in 1959. Rail service first reached Sandwich in 1848. The name comes from an earlier Cape Cod Central Railroad that ran from 1861 to 1868, though the two companies are not related.

Where does the Cape Cod Rail Trail start in relation to the railroad?

Much of the Cape's old railroad track was removed and turned into the Cape Cod Rail Trail and the Shining Sea Bikeway, while the Cape Cod Central still runs on the surviving 27 miles between Hyannis and Buzzards Bay. The railroad does not post trailhead details, so check the trail's own information for starting points.

Does Amtrak go to Cape Cod?

The Cape Cod Central Railroad does not mention Amtrak connections on its site; it is a heritage and dining railroad, not a commuter service. Its trains run between Hyannis and Buzzards Bay. If you are planning to travel to the Cape by train, check current schedules with the transit operators directly before you go.

Can I book a group or private event on the Cape Cod Central Railroad?

Yes. Groups of 25 or more receive a discount and can book receptions, birthdays, reunions, office parties and weddings aboard lunch, brunch, dinner or excursion trains using the group form. For wholesale tours, hospitality accounts and charters, contact Kaylene Jablecki at (508) 771-0004 or kaylene@capetrain.com.

What other train museums are near the Cape Cod Central Railroad?

Edaville in Carver and the South Coast Rail historic depot collections are both about 28 miles away. The Old Colony & Fall River Railroad Museum is about 45 miles west, and the Newport Railway in Rhode Island is about 50 miles. The West Barnstable Train Station and Museum sits right on the railroad's route.

Keep exploring

More family train guides from Rally

Kelsey Cecil
Previous

Wales West Light Railway in Silverhill, Alabama
Next

O. Winston Link Museum in Roanoke, Virginia