Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad, Pennsylvania

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Titusville, Pennsylvania · Updated October 19, 2026 · 12 min read

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesRegular rides June through mid-October; Halloween and Santa trains after that

The Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad runs three-hour excursions from Titusville through Oil Creek State Park, the valley where the first American oil boom began, in 1930 Pullman coaches and a 1927 Railway Post Office car that still sorts mail.

  • Founded by volunteers in 1986
  • 27-mile round trip, about 3 hours
  • Working Railway Post Office car
  • Open air gondola car
  • Bald eagles often spotted
  • Station museum and gift shop

Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad at a glance

Hours
Regular rides depart 11 am, June through mid-October; weekends, plus Wednesdays in July and August
Admission
Coach adults $22, seniors 60+ $20, ages 2 to 12 $16, under 2 free; First Class $40; Family Special $50
Train rides
27-mile, 3-hour round trips June to mid-October; Halloween, Santa, Easter and Mother's Day trains
Seasonal events
Halloween Train, Santa Trains, Fall Foliage Rides, Murder Mystery Dinners, Wine and Beer Tastings, Peter Cottontail Express, Mother's Day rides, Heritage School Tours
Plan for
About 3.5 hours with boarding
Best for
Families with school-age kids, history fans and wildlife watchers
Best ages
Ages 4 and up

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

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Oil Creek & Titusville 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 Titusville.

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.

How rusty rails became the train through the valley that changed the world

When the Oil Creek & Titusville story started, there was not much to work with: 13.5 miles of rusty track that Conrail no longer wanted, buried under brush and fallen trees. In 1982 two groups were each hoping to buy it, one for recreation and one to keep freight moving for Titusville industry. In 1983 they joined forces as the Oil Creek Railway Historical Society, and on June 6, 1986, they bought the track, buildings and land.

The first excursion ran on July 18, 1986, using cars borrowed from historical societies, museums and individuals. Society vice president James Stevenson, managing director Lou Adelson and conductor Donald Francis drove a golden spike to mark the day, and nearly 34,000 passengers rode that first season. The Friends of the Railroad support group formed the same year with fifty charter members.

Volunteers kept building. They bought and reconditioned seven coaches that first winter, completed stations at Drake Well and Rynd Farm in 1987, started remodeling the old Perry Street freight station that November, and opened a flag stop at Petroleum Centre, the headquarters area of Oil Creek State Park, in 1989. They rewired every car and added sound systems and ceiling fans. The railroad welcomed its 750,000th passenger in 2018, and it still carries freight for Titusville industries to customers across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Three hours through Pennsylvania's first oil field

Trips start at Perry Street Station, an early 1890s freight station at 409 S Perry St in Titusville, which has a small museum, gift shop and concession stand open on any train day. The 27-mile round trip runs south through the woods and creekside views of Oil Creek State Park to Rynd Farm, the halfway point, which has its own concessions through October. Guides tell the story of the people and places of the first oil boom, and riders often spot groundhogs, deer, ducks, blue herons, bald eagles and sometimes a black bear.

Coach passengers ride in steel Pullman cars built in 1930 as electric commuter cars for the Lackawanna Railroad around Hoboken. First class is the Wabash, a 1925 car that once ran on the famous Wabash Cannonball, with its original 1940s reclining seats and air conditioning. In good weather, up to 100 people at a time can stand in open car No. 827, and the 1927 Railway Post Office car sells snacks, souvenirs and postcards you can mail right from the train.

Don’t miss

  1. Railway Post Office car No. 66The railroad says it is the only RPO car still operating in the United States; mail a postcard on board and it gets an official OC&T hand stamp.
  2. Open car No. 827Its number honors August 27, 1859, the day Edwin Drake struck oil, and it is the best spot for watching for bald eagles.
  3. The Wabash first class carBuilt in 1925 for the Wabash Railroad, it ran on the Wabash Cannonball and keeps its long-distance Sleepy Hollow seats.
  4. Perry Street StationAn 1890s freight station that volunteers remodeled into the railroad's home, with a museum and gift shop.
  5. Alco S-2 locomotives No. 75 and No. 85Two 1,000 horsepower Alco switch engines from 1947 and 1950 that pull the trains.

Eagles, ice cream and a Halloween train

Kids love the open gondola car, watching for wildlife, buying ice cream at Rynd Farm and mailing a postcard home from the Railway Post Office car. The ride is three hours, so it suits children who can sit for a while; bring snacks and plan a walk around at the halfway stop.

Special trains are made for families: the kids' Halloween Train in October, Santa Trains in late fall, and spring rides for Easter. Children under 2 ride free in coach, and the Family Special covers two adults and up to two kids for one price from June through September.

Plan your visit: tips for Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad

  • Arrive at least 45 minutes before departure.
  • Board at 409 S Perry St; the Franklin Street office address is not a boarding point.
  • Coach walk-up tickets are usually available, but book First Class early because it sells out.
  • Bring addresses so you can mail postcards from the Railway Post Office car.
  • Bikes and canoes can ride in the RPO car if you want to bike or paddle one way.

Fall is the busiest time on the Oil Creek & Titusville: in 2026 every Fall Foliage ride sold out, leaving the kids' Halloween Train on October 24 as the last October run, a good pick from our list of Halloween train rides in Pennsylvania. There are no regular rides in November or December, but Santa Trains run on multiple dates. See our guide to Christmas train rides in Pennsylvania to plan ahead.

A small nonprofit with a big volunteer crew

The railroad is owned and operated by the Oil Creek Railway Historical Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a small staff and a lot of volunteers, backed by the Friends of the Railroad support group. Volunteers restored the Railway Post Office car from rust you could see through. You can help by volunteering, donating, joining Friends of the Railroad, or staying at the railroad's Caboose Motel.

Rail stops across the northwest corner

The Lake Shore Railway Historical Society Museum, which sold the railroad its Wabash first class car, is about 41 miles north. The Conneaut Railroad Museum in Ohio is about 51 miles, and the Salamanca Rail Museum in New York about 62 miles. Browse every Pennsylvania train museum for more.

Every train museum in Pennsylvania

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.

On the very first trip in 1986, a train conductor named Donald Francis helped drive the golden spike. I love that a conductor was right there at the start, because conductors are the heart of our book too. Mr. Conductor, in his blue uniform, holds out a hand to Rally and welcomes him aboard like any other passenger. My mom imagined him first, and you can read about her 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 Oil Creek & Titusville 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.

Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad: 20 questions riders ask

How much are Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad tickets?

As of October 2026, regular coach tickets are $22 for adults, $20 for seniors 60 and up, $16 for children 2 to 12, and free under 2. First Class in the Wabash car is $40 for all ages. The Family Special covers two adults and up to two children in coach for $50, June through September.

What is the Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad schedule?

As of October 2026, regular rides depart at 11 am. They run weekends from June 13, Wednesdays and weekends in July and August, weekends in September, and through October 16. There are no regular rides in April, May, November or December. Special event trains have their own schedules.

What upcoming events does the Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad have?

As of October 2026, the kids' Halloween Train runs October 24, and Santa Trains run on multiple dates later in the season. Fall Foliage rides and Murder Mystery Dinners are sold out. Heritage School Tours are scheduled for May 2027. Check the Events and Tours page at octrr.org.

Where does the Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad board?

Trains board at Perry Street Station, an early 1890s freight station at 409 S Perry St, Titusville, PA 16354. The office at 117 N Franklin Street is a mailing address only, and the train does not leave from there.

What does the Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad route look like on a map?

The line runs 13.5 miles from Titusville south through Oil Creek State Park to Rynd Farm, north of Oil City, for a 27-mile round trip. Stations along the way include Drake Well and Petroleum Centre, a flag stop at the park's headquarters area. Rynd Farm is the halfway point.

How long is the Oil Creek & Titusville train ride?

The regular round trip takes about three hours and covers 27 miles. The railroad asks riders to arrive at least 45 minutes before departure, so plan on most of a morning and early afternoon for the outing.

What is the Oil Creek & Titusville Caboose Motel?

The Caboose Motel is lodging connected with the railroad. For reservations or questions, call (814) 827-5730 or email caboosemotel@octrr.org. Front desk hours vary, so leave a voicemail if no one answers and staff will call back.

What is the Railway Post Office car on the Oil Creek & Titusville?

Car No. 66 was built in 1927 for the Chesapeake & Ohio and later ran on the Bangor & Aroostook. Donated in 1989, it was restored by volunteers with a foundation grant. The railroad says it is the only operating RPO in the country; mail sent from it gets an official hand stamp.

Does the Oil Creek & Titusville run in bad weather?

The railroad reserves the right to cancel rides for circumstances beyond its control, but it does not post a detailed weather policy online. The open gondola car is used weather permitting. Call (814) 676-1733 before leaving home if the forecast is poor.

What tours does the Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad offer?

Besides regular excursions, the railroad offers Murder Mystery Dinners, Wine and Beer Tastings, seasonal and holiday trains, and Heritage School Tours for students. Visit the Events and Tours page at octrr.org or call (814) 676-1733 to plan a group trip.

Should I buy Oil Creek & Titusville tickets in advance?

For regular coach rides from June through September, walk-up tickets are usually available on the day. First Class often sells out, so reserve it early, and sold out dates have no walk-up sales. Special events like Fall Foliage rides need advance tickets.

What is First Class on the Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad?

First Class is the Wabash, a 1925 car that ran on the Wabash Cannonball Special. Rebuilt in 1946 with sealed windows and air conditioning, it keeps original reclining Sleepy Hollow seats. As of October 2026, seats are $40 each and seating is limited.

What wildlife can you see on the Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad?

Riders often see groundhogs, deer, ducks and blue herons, and bald eagles are a regular highlight. The railroad says a black bear appears occasionally. The open gondola car, which holds up to 100 people, gives the best view.

Does the Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad have a Christmas train?

Yes. There are no regular rides in November or December, but the railroad runs Santa Trains on multiple dates. Special event pricing applies, and dates are on the Events and Tours page at octrr.org. Call (814) 676-1733 for tickets.

Is there food on the Oil Creek & Titusville train?

Yes. Snacks and drinks are sold on the Railway Post Office car, at Perry Street Station and at Rynd Farm Station, which also has ice cream novelties through October. Perry Street Station's concession stand is open on any day a train runs.

Is the Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad good for kids?

Yes, for kids who can enjoy a three-hour ride. The open car, wildlife spotting, ice cream at Rynd Farm and mailing a postcard from the train keep children busy. The Halloween Train and Santa Trains are designed for families, and under 2 rides free in coach.

Can I bring a bike or canoe on the Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad?

Yes. The railroad hauls bikes and canoes in its Railway Post Office car for riders who want to bike or hike one way and take the train the other. Call (814) 676-1733 ahead to arrange it.

When was the Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad founded?

The Oil Creek Railway Historical Society formed in 1983, bought the track, buildings and land on June 6, 1986, and ran its first excursion on July 18, 1986. Nearly 34,000 people rode that first year.

How can I volunteer at the Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad?

Email volunteer@octrr.org to ask about volunteering, or join the Friends of the Railroad support group, whose membership dues fund railroad projects. Donation requests go to donations@octrr.org. The office is open weekdays, 9 am to 4 pm in season and 9 am to 3 pm in the off-season.

What train museums are near the Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad?

The Lake Shore Railway Historical Society Museum in North East, Pennsylvania, is about 41 miles away. The Conneaut Railroad Museum in Ohio is about 51 miles, the AC&J Scenic Line in Jefferson, Ohio, about 57 miles, and the Salamanca Rail Museum in New York about 62 miles.

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