Grapevine Vintage Railroad, Texas

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Grapevine, Texas · Updated October 19, 2026 · 10 min read

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesRegular weekly excursions plus special event trains; check the online schedule

The Grapevine Vintage Railroad is the City of Grapevine's own excursion railroad, running authentic, air-conditioned 1920s-era coaches from the Main Street station in Historic Grapevine toward the Fort Worth Stockyards.

  • Owned by the City of Grapevine
  • Air-conditioned 1920s-era coaches
  • Cotton Belt Route to the Stockyards
  • Santa's North Pole Express
  • Departs from Historic Grapevine

Grapevine Vintage Railroad at a glance

Hours
Excursions run on a set schedule; check the railroad's schedule and pricing page
Admission
Fares vary by excursion; current prices are on the railroad's website
Train rides
Cotton Belt Route to the Fort Worth Stockyards (about 90 minutes) and other seasonal routes
Seasonal events
Santa's North Pole Express
Plan for
Varies by trip; the Cotton Belt Route is about 90 minutes each way
Best for
Families and day trippers in Dallas and Fort Worth

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

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Grapevine Vintage 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 Grapevine.

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 hometown railroad running from Main Street

The Grapevine Vintage Railroad is an excursion and special event railroad owned and operated by the City of Grapevine. Its trains start at the Grapevine Main Street station in the heart of Historic Grapevine and run to the Fort Worth Stockyards, a National Historic District full of shops, restaurants and entertainment.

Riders travel in authentic 1920s-era passenger coaches that have been fitted with air conditioning, a real comfort in a North Texas summer. The railroad runs three main routes at different times of year, led by the Cotton Belt Route, plus regular weekly excursions and special event trains. In the holiday season the railroad becomes part of Grapevine's Christmas Capital of Texas celebrations with Santa's North Pole Express.

The railroad's own website lists its current excursions, schedule and prices but shares little history online, so for details about the coaches, locomotives or the line's past, ask the crew or call the railroad before your trip.

Main Street to the Stockyards

The best-known trip is the Cotton Belt Route, about 90 minutes from the Grapevine depot on Main Street to the Fort Worth Stockyards. Along the way the train moves from Historic Grapevine into the wider urban landscape of Dallas and Fort Worth. Other routes and special trains run through the year; the schedule and pricing page lists which ones are running and when.

Don’t miss

  1. The 1920s-era coachesAuthentic vintage passenger cars, now air conditioned for year-round riding.
  2. Cotton Belt RouteThe signature trip from Grapevine to the Fort Worth Stockyards, about 90 minutes each way.
  3. Santa's North Pole ExpressThe railroad's holiday train, part of Grapevine's Christmas Capital of Texas season.

A real train ride with air conditioning

For children, the draw is simple: a real ride in a vintage coach, with air conditioning that makes summer trips more comfortable. The holiday Santa's North Pole Express is the railroad's biggest family event. The railroad does not post age guidance online, so think about the length of your chosen trip (the Cotton Belt Route is about 90 minutes one way) when riding with toddlers.

Plan your visit: tips for Grapevine Vintage Railroad

  • Check the schedule and pricing page before you go, since trips run on set dates.
  • Holiday trains sell early, so buy Santa's North Pole Express tickets as soon as you can.
  • Call (817) 410-3185 to confirm your departure point, as listings give more than one Main Street address.

Each holiday season the railroad runs Santa's North Pole Express as part of Grapevine's Christmas Capital of Texas celebrations, and tickets go on sale through the railroad's website ahead of the season. Compare it with other holiday trains in our guide to Christmas train rides in Texas.

Run by the City of Grapevine

The City of Grapevine owns and operates the railroad, and ticket sales for regular and special excursions keep it running. The railroad's website has a groups page for planning a larger outing, and you can reach the railroad at (817) 410-3185.

More trains around Grapevine

The Grapevine Cotton Belt Railroad Historic District is right in town. The Fort Worth Stockyards Trinity River Train is about 19 miles away, and the Museum of the American Railroad in Frisco is about 20 miles. See more in our list of Texas train museums and rides.

Every train museum in Texas

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.

The Cotton Belt Route rolls out of Historic Grapevine and on toward the Stockyards, and I love imagining kids with their noses pressed to the glass of a 1920s coach. In our book Rally gazes through an arched window at the ocean and says hello to a white bird. Texas has no ocean on this ride, but every window seat holds its own small wonders. You can read why my mom dreamed up Rally's trip 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 Grapevine Vintage 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.

Grapevine Vintage Railroad: 20 questions riders ask

Where is the Grapevine Vintage Railroad?

The Grapevine Vintage Railroad leaves from the Grapevine Main Street station in Historic Grapevine, Texas. The railroad's site lists 636 S. Main St., Grapevine, Texas 76051, while some directories show 709 S Main St, so call (817) 410-3185 to confirm where to check in for your trip.

Where does the Grapevine Vintage Railroad go?

Trains run from the Grapevine Main Street station to the Fort Worth Stockyards, a National Historic District with shops, restaurants and entertainment. The railroad runs three main routes at different times of year, with the Cotton Belt Route as its signature trip. The schedule page lists which routes are running.

What is the Grapevine Vintage Railroad Cotton Belt Route?

The Cotton Belt Route is a trip of about 90 minutes from the Grapevine depot on Main Street to the historic Fort Worth Stockyards. Riders sit in air-conditioned 1920s-era coaches and can explore the Stockyards before the return. Check the schedule and pricing page for current departure times.

How long is the Grapevine Vintage Railroad ride?

The Cotton Belt Route to the Fort Worth Stockyards takes about 90 minutes each way, so with time at the Stockyards it fills most of a day. Other excursions and special event trains have their own lengths, which are listed on the railroad's schedule and pricing page.

How much are Grapevine Vintage Railroad tickets?

Ticket prices depend on the excursion and season, and the railroad posts current fares on the schedule and pricing page of its website at grapevinetexasusa.com/gvrr. Buy tickets online there, or call (817) 410-3185 if you have questions about fares or seating.

Are there Grapevine Vintage Railroad ticket discounts or Groupon deals?

The railroad does not advertise discounts or Groupon offers on its website. Group pricing may be available through its groups page, which is the place to start for larger parties. For any current promotions, call (817) 410-3185 before buying, and be cautious with third-party ticket sellers.

What is the Grapevine Vintage Railroad schedule?

The railroad runs regular weekly excursions plus special event trains, and the schedule changes through the year. The schedule and pricing page lists every current excursion with dates and times. One directory lists office hours of Friday 9 am to 5 pm and weekends 11 am to 5 pm, but confirm by phone.

Are there Grapevine Vintage Railroad events today?

Check the special events and regular weekly excursions pages on the railroad's website for today's departures. Trains do not run every day, so look before heading to Main Street, or call (817) 410-3185 to ask what is running and whether seats are still available.

Does the Grapevine Vintage Railroad have a Christmas train?

Yes. Santa's North Pole Express is the railroad's holiday train, and tickets go on sale through its website ahead of the season. It is part of Grapevine's Christmas Capital of Texas celebrations. Holiday dates tend to fill quickly, so book early.

Does the Grapevine Vintage Railroad run a Christmas wine train?

The railroad's website, as captured for this page, names Santa's North Pole Express as its holiday train and does not describe a Christmas wine train. Grapevine is known for its Christmas season events, so check the special events page or call (817) 410-3185 to see whether an adult holiday excursion is on this year's calendar.

Does the Grapevine Vintage Railroad run a Dinosaur Train?

Information about a Dinosaur Train event is not posted in the material available for this page. The railroad runs special event trains through the year, so check its special events page or call (817) 410-3185 to ask whether a dinosaur-themed ride is scheduled.

What is the Grapevine Vintage Railroad Trinity River excursion?

The railroad runs three main routes during the year, and details for each, including any Trinity River trip, are listed on its schedule and pricing page. Check there for the route, length and price of the current Trinity River excursion, or call the railroad to ask.

What locomotives does the Grapevine Vintage Railroad use, like 2248 or Puffy?

The railroad's website, as captured for this page, does not describe its locomotives, so we cannot confirm which engine pulls a given trip. Rail fans often ask about specific engines by number or nickname. Call (817) 410-3185 or ask the crew at the station which locomotive is running on your date.

What are the Grapevine Vintage Railroad coaches like?

Riders travel in authentic 1920s-era passenger coaches that have been air conditioned, so trips are comfortable even in summer. The railroad describes the ride as a nostalgic trip suited to families, history buffs and railroad enthusiasts. Seating details are listed when you book.

Is there parking at the Grapevine Vintage Railroad?

The railroad's website does not spell out parking details in the material available for this page. The station sits in Historic Grapevine on Main Street, so allow time to find a spot downtown, and call (817) 410-3185 or check the plan your visit page for current parking advice.

Is there a Grapevine Vintage Railroad route map?

The line runs from Grapevine Main Street station to the Fort Worth Stockyards, passing from Historic Grapevine into the Dallas and Fort Worth urban landscape. The railroad's about the train and plan your visit pages are the best place to find a current route map.

What do Grapevine Vintage Railroad reviews say?

Reviews are posted on sites such as Yelp, which listed 191 photos for the railroad as of October 2026. Riders often comment on the vintage coaches, the trip to the Stockyards and the holiday trains. Read several recent reviews for the specific excursion you plan to book.

Can groups book the Grapevine Vintage Railroad?

Yes. The railroad has a groups page in its plan your visit section for larger parties, such as school trips, family reunions or company outings. It is the place to start for group rates and reserved seating, and you can also call (817) 410-3185.

Who runs the Grapevine Vintage Railroad, and are there jobs?

The City of Grapevine owns and operates the railroad. Job openings are not listed on the railroad's own pages, so look at the City of Grapevine's employment listings or call (817) 410-3185 to ask about seasonal or crew positions.

What train attractions are near the Grapevine Vintage Railroad?

The Grapevine Cotton Belt Railroad Historic District is right in town. The Fort Worth Stockyards Trinity River Train, the M-Line Trolley in Dallas and the Dallas Railway & Terminal Museum collection are each about 19 miles away, and the Museum of the American Railroad in Frisco is about 20 miles.

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