Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad & James H. Andrew Railroad Museum
4.5(1.6K)google
Transit HeritageTrainHistoryFamilyKidsSenior-FriendlyEducationalIndoorOutdoor
Overview
The Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad (reporting mark BSVY) is a shortline and heritage railroad that operates both freight and passenger excursions in Boone County, Iowa.
Practical Info
MonClosed
TueClosed
WedClosed
Thu10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Fri10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sat10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sun10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Suggested Duration2.5-4 hours
Best TimeMid-October during the peak autumn foliage train excursions is the absolute finest time to book. Securing tickets for the 1:30 PM or 4:00 PM train ride is strongly advised; at these hours, clear afternoon light floods the landscape as the vintage locomotive rumbles across the staggering 156-foot-high Bass Point Creek High Bridge, offering panoramic views of the forested river valley below.
Getting ThereLocated on the western edge of downtown Boone. Drivers should exit US-30 onto Story St, drive north to 11th St, make a left, and proceed for 1 km to the historic depot building at 225 10th St. The passenger depot and the adjoining museum feature an expansive, fully complimentary parking lot that easily accommodates cars and tour RVs.
Travel Tips
- Weekend Dinner Trains and specialized steam excursions sell out weeks in advance via the online system; dinner services enforce an absolute 30-minute pre-departure boarding gate cutoff with zero late refunds.
- The active rail yard and engine bays feature open ties and loose ballast rock; open-toe sandals or heels present an immediate injury risk and cause automated denial of entry into mechanical garage zones.
Photo Tips
Gear
- Crossing the 156-foot-tall Bass Point Creek High Bridge causes slight car vibrations; action photographers must elevate shutter speeds above 1/500s and secure wrist straps to prevent gear from dropping into the gorge.
Reviews
Positive
- Riding the vintage train across the 156-foot high Bass Point Creek High Bridge offers spectacular, photo-worthy valley views.
- The conductors and volunteers give witty, historical commentary, and the connected museum boasts rich railroad history.
- The ticketing and boarding process is very well-organized, with shaded platform seating while waiting.
- For train enthusiasts or families with children, this nostalgic ride is well worth the ticket price for an immersive journey.
Heads up
- Basic coach cars lack air conditioning, relying only on windows; it gets incredibly stuffy and hot when the train idles.
- The lunch and dinner themed train tickets are priced quite high, but the food quality served onboard is rather average.
- If you don't pick the specific high-bridge route, the scenery on basic shorter runs is just standard woods and fields, a bit boring.
- Public transportation to the site is non-existent, requiring driving, and the station's accessible ramps are dated and narrow.