Walkersville Southern Railroad Tourist Railroad

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What a Train Trip is Like

You'll definitely get a taste of small town life when you come to Walkersville.

The Walkersville railroad's station is a "turn of the century" small-town railroad station built by the Pennsylvania Railroad in the late 1800s. Our ticket office is located here. Next to the station is a small freight house built during the same period where baggage and freight would have been stored prior to loading on the train. This building currently houses our gift shop. Be sure to notice the floors in this building, with their extra wide planks several inches thick. Imagine what life was like in the heyday of the railroad as you look at these structures.

When you are ready to board the train, you'll enter through the door of the car at the top of the ramp next to the baggage house. Look through the cars and choose the one that you like. The excursion train runs south from Walkersville, through the Walkersville Community Park, and past Fountain Rock, site of a 100-year old lime kiln. Coal for heating the limestone was brought in by rail and the finished product was shipped back out to farmers locally and taken north into Pennsylvania and beyond. This was once a major industry for the Frederick area. Remnants of the old railroad operation there are still visible and the kiln itself has recently been restored by the Frederick County Parks Department.

The ride continues south through the woods, and then out into picturesque Maryland farm country past Barricks Farm, established in the early 1820’s. On a clear day you can view the Catoctin Mountains west of Frederick. Before returning to the Walkerville Station you will cross the beautiful Monocacy River on the recently reconstructed railroad bridge. The view is impressive and will be the highlight of your trip.

The ride is leisurely, with speeds limited to ten miles per hour. Passengers may choose to ride in our open-air excursion car, refurbished troop carrier, remodeled passenger coaches, or the caboose. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, and excursions are held rain or shine!

The Railroad Gift Shop will normally be open before and after each excursion. Ticket office hours are from approximately 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM on excursion days.