Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad & Museum

06/18/2026

Welcome to ! Today, we travel back to 1998 for a look at a very early iteration of our Santa Train. This train made a round trip from our depot to downtown Boone using locomotives 2254 and 1098 and two passenger coaches, while Santa greeted children at the depot. The train operated in conjunction with the Boone Chamber of Commerce.

06/17/2026

Good news, steam fans! Steam locomotive JS 8419 is scheduled to power our 1:30 pm and 4:00 pm Fraser Trains this coming Saturday, June 20!

The Fraser Train is our classic 1-hour and 45-minute excursion through the Des Moines River Valley, crossing the 156-foot-tall Bass Point Creek High Bridge and the Des Moines River Bridge.

Tickets are available at bsvrr.com or by calling 515.432.4249. A limited number of Classic Coach Class tickets will be available for purchase at the ticket window on Saturday.

While here, be sure to visit the James H. Andrew Railroad Museum and explore its numerous artifacts and displays, stroll through the signal garden, and tour a caboose to experience what life on the rails was like.

And, browse our gift shop for a variety of souvenirs, snacks and beverages.

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday! All aboard!

06/15/2026

Father’s Day Weekend is almost here! We hope you’ll celebrate Dad with the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad & Museum! On Saturday, June 20 and Sunday, June 21, fathers ride the Fraser Train free with another fare-paying passenger.

The Fraser Train is our classic excursion, departing our depot in Boone and winding its way through the beautiful Des Moines River Valley. On your journey, you’ll cross the spectacular, 156-foot-tall Bass Point Creek High Bridge and the Des Moines River Bridge.

On Saturday, the Fraser Train has departures at 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. On Sunday, the train departs at 1:30 p.m. Your ticket includes admission to the James H. Andrew Railroad Museum. After your trip, be sure to browse our gift shop for a souvenir.

To get your tickets, visit the "Rides & Tickets" link at www.bsvrr.com or call 515-432-4249 (Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.), and mention promo code FATHER26. A limited number of Classic Coach Class tickets will be available at the ticket window prior to departure. This offer is good for Classic Coach Class tickets only. Tickets are not upgradeable and cannot be combined with any other offer.

06/11/2026

Welcome to at the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad. Today, we take a look at the evolution of Southern Pacific 9044.

SP 9044 was built in 1950 for the Southern Pacific as a "6-10" blunt-end sleeper car for the City of San Francisco.

Prior to its donation to the Iowa Railroad Historical Society by Mr. Henry Ketcher of North Little Rock, Arkansas, the car was converted into its current configuration. All 10 roomettes were removed to create a dining area, and two of the six compartments were replaced by a small kitchen galley. The remaining compartments now serve as private dining areas, and a large observation platform has been added to the rear of the car.

Since its arrival, it has seen extensive mechanical upgrades, including under-car generator installation and a full rewiring to 208-volt, 3-phase power. It was repainted in December 1996, entered "Wolf Train" service in 1997, and officially began dinner train service on April 15, 1999.

Currently, the car operates on our dinner, lunch, and picnic trains, as well as on Santa Express trains and select charters.

06/06/2026

Good morning! It looks like we’re going to see plenty of sunshine today – a beautiful day for a train ride! In a few minutes from now, a sold out 11:00 am Wolf Lunch Train will begin boarding. After that, The Fraser Train has departures at 1:30 pm and 4:00 pm. And, while tickets are no longer available for tonight’s train, The Wolf Dinner Train departs at 5:30 pm.

Come on out and join us! Get your tickets at bsvrr.com, or at the ticket window prior to departure.

06/04/2026

In 1997, the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad first welcomed Thomas The Tank Engine to Boone, Iowa. In today’s we travel back in time to the year 1998, and check out some photos from Thomas’s second visit to Boone.

Starting tonight at midnight, you can purchase tickets for our 2026 Day Out With Thomas event. Just head on over to www.ticketwebdowt.com, and take a ride behind Thomas in Boone, Iowa, September 12, 13, 18, 19 or 20!

05/29/2026

Our regular schedule for the 2026 season is now in full swing, with train rides Thursday through Sunday through October 31.

The Fraser Train, our classic excursion, takes you on a one-hour-and-45-minute ride through the Des Moines River Valley, across the 156-foot-tall Bass Point Creek High Bridge, and over the Des Moines River Bridge. This train departs at 1:30 pm on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday—and at 1:30 pm and 4:00 pm on Saturday.

Looking for a first-class experience? Try one of our Wolf Trains:

The Wolf Lunch Train departs Saturdays at 11:00 am.

The Wolf Dinner Train offers Friday and Saturday evening departures.

The Wolf Picnic Train allows you to pack your own lunch and departs Sundays at 12:30 pm.

Tickets for each of these trains include admission to the 9,000-square-foot James H. Andrew Railroad Museum.

Most Saturdays through October 31, you can also take a ride aboard a 1915 electric trolley or travel the way maintenance crews used to aboard a beautifully restored motorcar.

For tickets or more information, visit bsvrr.com or call 515.432.4249.

Comparing our rides and levels of service Posted on April 25, 2024May 14, 2024 by admin The Fraser Train The Wolf Trains Posted in Dinner Train, Fraser Excursion Train, Schedule, Steam, Wolf Lunch Train, Wolf Picnic Train Tagged dinner train, Fraser Train, lunch trains, Picnic Train

05/28/2026

Today’s scene takes us back to 1988, the first year of electric operations on the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad, as Chicago, South Shore & South Bend Car 106 makes a run from the depot to downtown Boone and back.

05/24/2026

It's a beautiful day for a train ride! Come join us!

While you're here, be sure to check out the James H. Andrew Railroad Museum, or browse our gift shop.

Classic Coach tickets for our 1:30 PM Fraser Train are available at the ticket window. Or, purchase online at bsvrr.com.

All aboard!

05/24/2026

Our depot, museum, gift shop, and offices will be closed for Memorial Day, Monday, May 25th. Offices will re-open on Tuesday, May 26th. Depot, museum and gift shop will re-open, regularly-scheduled hours, on Thursday, May 28th.