Everett Railroad in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania · Updated October 19, 2026 · 11 min read

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesSummer, fall and holiday excursions; Santa Express in November and December

The Everett Railroad is a Blair County freight shortline, first chartered in 1954, that also pulls passengers behind a 1920 Alco steam locomotive in restored 1920s coaches, just 8 miles from Horseshoe Curve.

  • Freight railroad since 1954
  • 1920 Alco steam engine No. 11
  • 1920s Jersey Central coaches
  • 27-mile fall foliage steam trip
  • 8 miles from Horseshoe Curve
  • Santa Express with cookies and cocoa

Everett Railroad at a glance

Hours
Station opens 1 hour before the first train; office Monday to Friday, 7 am to 4 pm
Admission
Varies by excursion and seating; see the booking page
Train rides
Steam and diesel excursions June through December on posted dates
Seasonal events
Ice Cream Special, Picnic at the Spring, Steam into the Sunset, Autumn Adventure, Pumpkin Patch Train, Santa Express
Plan for
1 to 2.5 hours, depending on excursion
Best for
Families and steam fans visiting the Altoona area
Best ages
Toddlers to age 12

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

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Everett 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 Hollidaysburg.

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.

From a dormant short line to steam in Morrison's Cove

The Everett Railroad began in 1954, serving its namesake town of Everett, Pennsylvania. By 1982 it had gone dormant, and over the next two years it was abandoned, sold and moved away from Everett. In August 1984, under new owner Alan Maples, Everett GE 80-ton locomotive No. 4 delivered a load of bauxite ore to the General Refractories Company in Claysburg. That run marked the railroad's rebirth on seven miles of former Conrail track between Brookes Mill and Sproul, restored with the help of two customers, Champion Homes and General Refractories, who wanted rail service back.

In 1985 the Everett leased the nearby Morrisons Cove Railroad, seven miles serving Roaring Spring, Martinsburg and Curryville in the fertile Cove region, where feed mills, dairies and a paper converter depended on the trains. Two EMD SW9 diesels came from Conrail to handle the traffic, and the National Railway Historical Society ran several excursions over the line, the first tourist trains there since the early 1970s.

Today the Everett is a 23-mile Class III common carrier and a handling line for Norfolk Southern along Blair County's I-99 corridor. Its crews also restore historic equipment, including steam locomotive No. 11 and a set of 1920s passenger coaches, so families can ride the same rails that still carry freight.

A Mogul, Jersey Central coaches and the Cove countryside

Trains leave from the Everett's station at 244 Pullman Drive in Hollidaysburg, which opens an hour before the first train of the day. Depending on the excursion, you ride behind steam or diesel power in restored 1920s cars. The star is No. 11, a 2-6-0 Mogul that Alco built in 1920 for Cuban sugar cane fields, which never made it there; it worked instead on the Narragansett Pier Railroad in Rhode Island and the Bath & Hammondsport, the Champagne Trail, in New York before a long life with collectors.

Coaches include six former Central Railroad of New Jersey commuter cars that seat 78 each, such as car 1194, built in 1927 by Bethlehem Shipbuilding and returned to service in fall 2018, plus Combine 23 from 1925. Excursions roll through Morrison's Cove, and the 2.5-hour Autumn Adventure covers 27 miles between Hollidaysburg and Martinsburg past fall hillsides.

Don’t miss

  1. Steam locomotive No. 11A 1920 Alco Mogul built for Cuba, which ran instead on two tiny short lines and a roadside museum before coming to the Everett.
  2. Coach 1194A 1927 Jersey Central commuter coach acquired from the Ohio Central in 2008 and fully restored in 2018.
  3. Combine 23A 1925 combination car that adds variety to the vintage consist.
  4. The Autumn Adventure routeThe 27-mile steam run between Hollidaysburg and Martinsburg is the railroad's longest scenic trip.
  5. The Pumpkin Patch TrainA fall favorite that pairs a historic train ride with a stop to pick a pumpkin.

Ice cream trains, pumpkins and Santa

The Everett plans much of its year around families. Summer brings the steam-powered Ice Cream Special and the diesel-powered Picnic at the Spring, fall has the Pumpkin Patch Train, and the Santa Express is about an hour long, with a visit from Santa, hot cocoa, fresh cookies and a small gift for each child. The one-hour Santa trip is a good fit for toddlers.

Older kids and rail fans may prefer the 2.5-hour Autumn Adventure behind steam. The railroad also offers field trips and educational outings for school groups.

Plan your visit: tips for Everett Railroad

  • Board at 244 Pullman Drive, Hollidaysburg; the Duncansville address is the corporate office.
  • Santa Express seating is limited; book early and check whether your ticket is Coach or First Class.
  • Check each excursion to see whether it runs with steam or diesel.
  • Pair your ride with Horseshoe Curve, about 8 miles away.

In October, the Everett runs the Pumpkin Patch Train and steam-powered Autumn Adventure foliage trips, both on our list of fall and Halloween train rides in Pennsylvania. In November and December, the Santa Express brings Santa aboard with cocoa, cookies and a gift for every child, with Coach and First Class seating depending on departure. Compare more options in our guide to Christmas train rides in Pennsylvania.

Freight crews who keep steam alive

The Everett Railroad is a working company, moving freight for Blair County businesses while its team restores historic equipment and runs excursions. Riding, booking a private charter, school field trip or group event, and joining its mailing list for event news are the best ways to support its passenger trains.

Altoona's railroad attractions next door

Hollidaysburg sits right next to Altoona. The Railroaders Memorial Museum, Horseshoe Curve and the history of the Altoona Works shops are all about 6 miles away. See more Pennsylvania train museums and rides to build a full rail weekend.

Every train museum in Pennsylvania

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of Rally the corgi dreaming about his toy turtle, green bone and yellow ball
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

The Everett's Santa Express hands each child a small gift, and I can already picture kids deciding where it goes when they get home. Rally is the same way in our book: before the trip, he packs his turtle toy, his green bone and his yellow ball, the things he cannot travel without. Every little traveler has a list like that. Our train books for toddlers page has more stories for the ride.

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 Everett 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.

Everett Railroad: 20 questions riders ask

Where is the Everett Railroad?

The Everett Railroad's train station is at 244 Pullman Drive, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648, in Blair County, about 8 miles from Horseshoe Curve. The corporate office is at 424 2nd Ave, Duncansville. Call the station at (814) 696-3877 for directions.

What is the Everett Railroad Company?

The Everett Railroad Company is a 23-mile Class III common carrier and handling line for Norfolk Southern in Blair County, serving Altoona, Hollidaysburg, Roaring Spring, Martinsburg and Claysburg. Founded in 1954, it also runs steam and diesel passenger excursions from Hollidaysburg.

What is Everett Railroad No. 11?

No. 11 is a 2-6-0 Mogul steam locomotive built by Alco's Cooke Works in 1920, one of 54 engines built for Cuba's sugar cane fields that went unsold. It ran on the Narragansett Pier Railroad and the Bath & Hammondsport, then spent years with collectors before coming to the Everett.

What is Everett Railroad No. 38?

Many fans search for No. 38 and its restoration, but the Everett's materials that we reviewed do not describe it. For current news on No. 38 and other steam projects, check the equipment page at everettrailroad.com or the railroad's Facebook page, which posts updates.

What is on the Everett Railroad roster?

The roster includes steam locomotive No. 11, a 1920 Alco 2-6-0, plus diesels, six former Jersey Central 78-seat commuter coaches such as car 1194, and Combine 23 from 1925. Over the years it has also used GE 80-ton No. 4 and EMD SW9s 8933 and 8990.

How much are Everett Railroad tickets?

Ticket prices depend on the excursion and on Coach or First Class seating, and they were not listed in the information we reviewed. Choose a date and experience on the booking page at everettrailroad.com to see current prices, or call the station at (814) 696-3877.

What is the Everett Railroad schedule?

As of October 2026, October brings the Pumpkin Patch Train and Autumn Adventure, and the Santa Express runs in November and December. Summer excursions, including the Ice Cream Special, Picnic at the Spring and Steam into the Sunset, run June to August. Book by date at everettrailroad.com.

Is the Everett Railroad running today?

Check the booking calendar at everettrailroad.com, which shows which excursions run on each date. The station opens one hour before the first scheduled train of the day. The office answers (814) 696-3877 Monday to Friday, 7 am to 4 pm.

Does the Everett Railroad have a Christmas train?

Yes. The Santa Express runs in November and December. It is an approximately one-hour holiday ride with a visit from Santa, hot cocoa, freshly baked cookies and a small gift for each child. Seating is limited and varies by departure, so book early.

What do people say in Everett Railroad Santa Express reviews?

The information we reviewed does not include specific Santa Express reviews. The railroad describes the trip as a family favorite with Santa, cocoa, cookies and a gift for children. Read recent reviews on the Everett's Facebook page, which has a large following.

What is the Everett Railroad Autumn Adventure?

The Autumn Adventure is a 2.5-hour, steam-powered fall foliage ride covering 27 miles between Hollidaysburg and Martinsburg, Pennsylvania, past colorful hills and classic railroad scenery. It runs on October dates and is a good choice for older kids and rail fans. Book ahead at everettrailroad.com, since fall trips are popular.

What is the Everett Railroad Pumpkin Patch Train?

The Pumpkin Patch Train is a fall family ride that combines a historic train trip with a visit to a pumpkin patch to pick your own. It runs on October dates. Check the booking calendar at everettrailroad.com for open departures.

What summer train rides does the Everett Railroad offer?

From June to August, the Everett runs the steam-powered Ice Cream Special with a treat on board, the diesel-powered Picnic at the Spring, and Steam into the Sunset, an evening ride timed for golden hour. All three are family friendly.

What does the Everett Railroad route look like on a map?

The Everett operates in Blair County along the I-99 corridor. Its lines include track between Brookes Mill and Sproul near Claysburg and the Morrisons Cove line serving Roaring Spring, Curryville and Martinsburg. Excursions leave from Hollidaysburg and travel into Morrison's Cove.

Is there an Everett Railroad museum?

The railroad's materials we reviewed do not describe a museum at its Hollidaysburg station, though its restored locomotives and coaches are historic exhibits in their own right. For railroad museums, the Railroaders Memorial Museum in Altoona is about 6 miles away.

What is the history of the Everett Railroad?

The Everett Railroad began in 1954 in Everett, Pennsylvania, went dormant in 1982 and was revived in 1984 near Claysburg on former Conrail track. It leased the Morrisons Cove Railroad in 1985 and grew into a 23-mile freight carrier that also runs steam excursions.

Can I book a private charter on the Everett Railroad?

Yes. The Everett offers private train charters, group events, corporate outings, celebrations and school field trips and educational experiences. Use the contact form at everettrailroad.com, email excursions@everettrailroad.com, or call the station at (814) 696-3877 to plan your date, group size and type of trip.

Is the Everett Railroad good for toddlers?

Yes. The roughly one-hour Santa Express and summer rides like the Ice Cream Special work well for young kids. The 2.5-hour Autumn Adventure is longer and better for older children and rail fans. Check the length of each excursion before you book.

Does the Everett Railroad still haul freight?

Yes. The Everett has moved freight since 1954 and today offers billing, routing, car storage, public delivery, transloading and warehousing along Blair County's I-99 corridor. Freight questions go to the corporate office at (814) 695-9628 or info@everettrailroad.com.

What train attractions are near the Everett Railroad?

The Railroaders Memorial Museum, Horseshoe Curve and the Altoona Works shops are about 6 miles away in Altoona. The Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site and Gallitzin Tunnels Park and Museum are about 9 miles away, and the Portage Station Museum about 15 miles.

Keep exploring

More family train guides from Rally

Kelsey Cecil
Previous

Union Pacific Railroad Museum in Council Bluffs, Iowa
Next

Train Museums in Missouri: Every Railroad Museum by Town