Trains inspire childlike wonder and awe. As an integral part of Wyoming history, part of the fascination can be attributed to the nostalgia they generate. You can find historic evidence of the railroad pretty much anywhere in the Cowboy State, but for the experience of a lifetime, you’ll want to embark on this dreamy train-themed trip across the southern part of Wyoming. Filled with train rides, railroad museums, and train-themed eateries, it’s a journey you’ll never forget.
With almost 500 miles to cover on this dreamy train-themed trip, plan on spending a few days to complete it.
Google Maps You’ll need more than one day for the Cheyenne stop alone because of all the entrancing railroad sights to see there.
Start out at the ghost town of Piedmont. It’s a state historic site that was once a thriving railroad city. Three sandstone kilns are mostly what remains to mark the site.
Chris Dunphy/Flickr In case you missed it, you can read more about the Piedmont Kilns in our full article here.
Next, head east to Rock Springs. There you can fuel up for the journey at the Coal Trail Coffee Depot. Housed in a historic train depot downtown, it’s the ideal place to set your mind on all things railroad-related.
Coal Train Coffee Depot/TripAdvisor As a major supplier of coal back in the day, Rock Springs played a big part in Wyoming’s railroad history.
Then it’s on to Douglas where you can spend hours at the Douglas Railroad Interpretive Museum.
Jerseygirl1313/TripAdvisor Located in the historic FE & MV Railroad Passenger Depot at Locomotive Park, this stop features antique railcars and a model train on display.
You’ll veer south to Laramie for the next leg of the journey. That’s where you’ll find the Laramie Historic Railroad Depot.
Laramie Historic Railroad Depot The renovated depot houses loads of riveting city and railroad history dating back to the mid-1800s, when the first train arrived in Laramie.
No train-themed trip would be complete without a stop at the Ames Brothers Monument, less than 20 miles down the road from Laramie.
Derek Bruff/Flickr This Wyoming oddity was built as a monument to two brothers who were central to railroad history, though they were questionable characters. You can read more about the Ames brothers and the monument in our full article here.
It’s only fitting that the last stop on this train-lovers road trip be in Cheyenne, the railroad capital of America. You’ll probably need more than one day here, where you can spend time taking in the exhibits and interactive displays at the Depot Plaza…
AirBeagle/Flickr
…view historic Engine 1242 at the Botanic Gardens…
Bob Swanson/Flickr
…take a gander at retired Big Boy steam engine 4004 in Holliday Park…
David Brossard/Flickr
…and see the Merci Train, a gift from France after World War II. And that’s not all!
Keelson Group LLC/Flickr
A tour of the Union Pacific Roundhouse…
Traveling Tom/YouTube
…and historic steam shop in Cheyenne are must-see stops on any train-themed trip.
Union Pacific/YouTube
While in Cheyenne, you can also take an enchanting ride on a delightful mini train…
Cheyenne Steamers/Facebook The Cheyenne Steamers miniature train mostly runs during summer and fall, but train-lovers can see the engines on display at various places around the city during the winter. If you missed our full article, you can read more about it here.
…and view even tinier trains at the Sherman Hill Model Railroad Club’s permanent displays at the Frontier Mall.
Sherman Hill Model Railroad Club, Inc./Facebook
Sometime during the day, you’ll want to take time out for refreshment, and the perfect place to do that is the Luxury Diner.
Suzibell/TripAdvisor Located at 1401 West Lincoln Way in Cheyenne, this quaint little diner used to be a caboose on an actual train that ran the rails in Wyoming between 1869 and 1912. You can get more information on this restaurant-aboard-a-train in our full article here.
The final, final stop on this dreamy train-centered trip is just outside of Cheyenne, almost to the Wyoming/Colorado border. At the Terry Bison Ranch, you can get a close-up view of the Thiel family’s herd of bison from one of the many trains that tour the ranch year round.
Linda M/TripAdvisor Want more info on the Terry Bison Ranch? Click here to read our full article.
What other stops would you add to this railroad tour of Wyoming?
Google Maps
You’ll need more than one day for the Cheyenne stop alone because of all the entrancing railroad sights to see there.
Chris Dunphy/Flickr
In case you missed it, you can read more about the Piedmont Kilns in our full article here.
Coal Train Coffee Depot/TripAdvisor
As a major supplier of coal back in the day, Rock Springs played a big part in Wyoming’s railroad history.
Jerseygirl1313/TripAdvisor
Located in the historic FE & MV Railroad Passenger Depot at Locomotive Park, this stop features antique railcars and a model train on display.
Laramie Historic Railroad Depot
The renovated depot houses loads of riveting city and railroad history dating back to the mid-1800s, when the first train arrived in Laramie.
Derek Bruff/Flickr
This Wyoming oddity was built as a monument to two brothers who were central to railroad history, though they were questionable characters. You can read more about the Ames brothers and the monument in our full article here.
AirBeagle/Flickr
Bob Swanson/Flickr
David Brossard/Flickr
Keelson Group LLC/Flickr
Traveling Tom/YouTube
Union Pacific/YouTube
Cheyenne Steamers/Facebook
The Cheyenne Steamers miniature train mostly runs during summer and fall, but train-lovers can see the engines on display at various places around the city during the winter. If you missed our full article, you can read more about it here.
Sherman Hill Model Railroad Club, Inc./Facebook
Suzibell/TripAdvisor
Located at 1401 West Lincoln Way in Cheyenne, this quaint little diner used to be a caboose on an actual train that ran the rails in Wyoming between 1869 and 1912. You can get more information on this restaurant-aboard-a-train in our full article here.
Linda M/TripAdvisor
Want more info on the Terry Bison Ranch? Click here to read our full article.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
