The Stourbridge Line in Honesdale, Pennsylvania

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Honesdale, Pennsylvania · Updated October 19, 2026 · 10 min read

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesExcursions run on scheduled dates from Honesdale or Hawley; check the calendar

The Stourbridge Line is a shortline railroad that runs scenic and themed excursions from Honesdale, the birthplace of America's commercial railroad, along the Lackawaxen River on former Erie Railroad track through the northern Pocono Mountains.

  • Trains from Honesdale and Hawley
  • Rides along the Lackawaxen River
  • 25 miles of former Erie track
  • Fall foliage and dinner trains
  • About 2.5 hours from NYC

The Stourbridge Line at a glance

Hours
Scheduled excursions only; see the railroad's calendar
Admission
Ticket prices vary by excursion; book online
Train rides
Scenic and themed excursions from Honesdale or Hawley; fall foliage season is busiest
Seasonal events
Fall foliage trains, Dinner trains, Lunch trains, Beer tasting trains
Best for
Families, couples and leaf peepers
Best ages
All ages on family 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 The Stourbridge Line? 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 Honesdale.

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.

Excursions from the birthplace of commercial railroading

Honesdale calls itself the birthplace of America's commercial railroad, the town where the Stourbridge Lion made its famous trial run, and the Stourbridge Line carries that name and story forward. The railroad, reporting mark DLS, is a Class III shortline that runs tourist trains over about 25 miles of former Erie Railroad track between Honesdale and Lackawaxen in Wayne and Pike counties, with a station at Hawley along the way. It also leases a railbike operation on the line.

Its trains follow the Lackawaxen River through the northern Poconos, and the railroad mixes sightseeing trips with themed rides. Fall foliage season is one of its busiest times, when foliage trains and dinner trains join the regular lunch trains, beer tastings and evening specials.

What a ride looks like

Trains leave from either the Honesdale station or Hawley, depending on the excursion, so check your ticket carefully. Rides wind along the Lackawaxen River through wooded Pocono country, and themed trips add food or drink, such as a brewery excursion that includes two pints from a local brewer. Exact routes, lengths and onboard details vary by excursion and are listed on the railroad's excursions page.

Don’t miss

  1. Fall foliage excursionsThe river valley in autumn is the railroad's signature season, so book early.
  2. Dinner and lunch trainsThemed meal trains turn the ride into an outing for the whole afternoon or evening.
  3. Honesdale stationStarting in Honesdale puts you in the town where American commercial railroading began.

A river ride for young passengers

The railroad pitches itself as a good family day trip, and a ride along the river is an easy way to give a train-loving child the real thing. Pick a sightseeing or holiday-themed trip rather than a beer tasting, which is meant for adults, and check each excursion's length so little ones are not stuck aboard longer than they enjoy.

Plan your visit: tips for The Stourbridge Line

  • Check whether your excursion leaves from Honesdale or Hawley before you drive.
  • Book fall foliage trips early; autumn is the railroad's busiest season.
  • Visit the Stourbridge Lion replica at the Wayne County Historical Society, about a mile away, before or after your ride.
  • Call (570) 470-2697 with questions about a specific excursion.

The railroad's schedule changes with the seasons, from foliage rides in autumn to special evening trains. The railroad has not yet posted holiday trips for this season, so check the excursions page for this year's offerings, and see our roundup of Christmas train rides in Pennsylvania for more options.

Keeping Honesdale trains running

The Stourbridge Line is a working shortline railroad that keeps excursion trains running for visitors. The best way to support it is to ride, bring friends, and follow the railroad on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok for new excursions and announcements.

More rail history around Honesdale

The Wayne County Historical Society, home of the Stourbridge Lion replica, is about a mile away. About 24 miles southwest in Scranton, Steamtown National Historic Site and the Electric City Trolley Museum make a full rail weekend. See every Pennsylvania train museum on our list.

Every train museum in Pennsylvania

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.

The railroad's invitation is to grab a ticket and climb aboard, and climbing aboard is exactly where Rally needs help in our book. His corgi legs are too short for the big train steps, so Dad gives him a boost. My kids are learning to read, and that page, with Dad lifting Rally up, is one they sound out with real pride.

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 The Stourbridge Line?

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.

The Stourbridge Line: 20 questions riders ask

What is the Stourbridge Line?

The Stourbridge Line is a Class III shortline railroad, reporting mark DLS, that runs tourist trains over about 25 miles of former Erie Railroad track between Honesdale and Lackawaxen, Pennsylvania, with a station at Hawley. It offers scenic and themed excursions along the Lackawaxen River in the northern Poconos.

What train excursions does the Stourbridge Line offer?

The railroad runs a mix of scenic and themed excursions, including fall foliage rides, dinner trains, lunch trains, beer tastings and evening specials. One brewery excursion includes two pints from a local brewery. The current lineup and prices are on the excursions page at thestourbridgeline.net.

Where does the Stourbridge Line train leave from in Honesdale?

Excursions depart from either the Honesdale station or Hawley, depending on the trip. The railroad's listed address is 46 Brown St, Honesdale, PA 18431. The railroad asks riders to check which station their excursion uses so no one gets left behind.

What is the Stourbridge Line schedule?

The Stourbridge Line runs on scheduled excursion dates rather than daily service, and the calendar changes by season, with fall foliage among the busiest times. Check the excursions page at thestourbridgeline.net for current dates and departure times, or call (570) 470-2697.

Does the Stourbridge Line have a dinner train?

Yes. Dinner trains are part of the railroad's mix, especially during fall foliage season, alongside lunch trains and evening specials. Menus, dates and prices are posted with each excursion on the railroad's website, and popular dates can sell out, so book ahead.

Does the Stourbridge Line run a Christmas train?

The railroad has not posted a Christmas or holiday train for this season online yet. The railroad's offerings change through the year, so check the excursions page at thestourbridgeline.net or follow its Facebook page for any holiday trips, and call (570) 470-2697 with questions.

Does the Stourbridge Line run winter train rides?

The railroad does not currently list winter excursions online. The railroad updates its schedule by season, so check thestourbridgeline.net or its social media in late fall to see whether any winter or holiday rides are planned this year.

What is the Stourbridge Line fall foliage train?

Fall is one of the railroad's busiest seasons, with foliage-focused rides along the Lackawaxen River through the northern Poconos. Dinner trains and other specials join the regular mix in autumn. Exact October dates change each year, so book early on the railroad's website.

Is there a Stourbridge Line map?

The railroad runs over about 25 miles of former Erie Railroad track between Honesdale and Lackawaxen in Wayne and Pike counties, with a station at Hawley in between, following the Lackawaxen River. Check the railroad's website for maps of specific excursions.

How do I buy Stourbridge Line tickets?

Tickets are sold through the railroad's website, thestourbridgeline.net, where each excursion lists its departure station, date and price. Popular trips such as fall foliage rides can fill up, so buy early. For questions about a trip or group seating, call (570) 470-2697 or email info@thestourbridgeline.net before you buy.

Is the Stourbridge Line good for kids?

Yes. The railroad describes its rides as great for a family day trip, and a river excursion through the woods is a fun first train ride. Choose a sightseeing or seasonal family trip instead of a beer tasting, and check how long the excursion lasts before you book.

Are there Stourbridge Line reviews?

Regional travel guides describe it as one of the most scenic train rides in northeastern Pennsylvania and compare a trip to a golden era of rail travel. For current impressions, read recent reviews on travel sites and the railroad's Facebook page, since excursions change by season.

Is there a Stourbridge Line rail bike?

Yes. The railroad leases a railbike operation on its tracks, according to its Wikipedia entry. Railbikes are pedal-powered vehicles that ride on the rails. Booking is handled separately from the train excursions, so search the railbike operator's details or ask the railroad.

Why is it called the Stourbridge Line?

The railroad shares its name with the Stourbridge Lion, the locomotive that made its famous trial run in Honesdale in 1829, and it tells that story on its website as part of Honesdale's claim as the birthplace of America's commercial railroad.

Is the Stourbridge Line the same as the Stourbridge line in the UK?

No. This page is about the Stourbridge Line in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, an American shortline that runs tourist trains in the Poconos. If you are looking for a railway or rail user group in Stourbridge, England, that is a different line with no connection to these excursions.

Is there a Stourbridge Line user group?

The Pennsylvania Stourbridge Line does not have a publicized passenger user group. Searches for a Stourbridge line user group usually refer to a railway in England. For the Honesdale railroad, follow its Facebook, Instagram or TikTok accounts for updates.

How far is the Stourbridge Line from New York City?

The railroad says Honesdale is about 2.5 hours from both New York City and Philadelphia, which makes it a good day trip or part of a longer Pocono vacation. Remember to check whether your train leaves from Honesdale or Hawley when you plan your drive.

What is the Stourbridge Line beer train?

One excursion departs Honesdale and runs along the Lackawaxen River while riders enjoy two pints from a local brewery. Beer tasting trains are aimed at adults, so check the railroad's age rules and ID requirements on the excursion listing before buying tickets.

How can I contact the Stourbridge Line?

Call (570) 470-2697 or email info@thestourbridgeline.net with questions about excursions, groups or tickets. The railroad's address is 46 Brown St, Honesdale, PA 18431, and it posts updates on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. The website, thestourbridgeline.net, has the full excursion list and online booking.

What is near the Stourbridge Line in Honesdale?

The Wayne County Historical Society, with its full-size Stourbridge Lion replica, is about a mile away. Steamtown National Historic Site, the Electric City Trolley Museum and the Lackawanna County Coal Mine Tour are about 24 miles away in Scranton.

Keep exploring

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Kelsey Cecil
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