Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
1:00 PM - 6:00 PM
About
We are a heritage railroad and museum dedicated to preserving, Educating and Entertainment. Our goal is to bring the history of Railroads and Agriculture in Kansas to those who visit.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
393 reviews
Excellent
269
Very good
86
Average
26
Poor
8
Terrible
4
Kthumbs
1 contribution
Sep 2021 • Family
I took my 2.5YO granddaughter on this train ride, on a weekend in mid-September. She had a WONDERFUL time! The trip isn't real long, about 3.5 hours round trip. Perfect for young children. There is lots to see, interspersed with the typical Kansas crop fields. One of the volunteers rides along to narrate and talk about Kansas farming life, and the history of the railway. The crossing over the Smoky Hill river is via an old, historic iron bridge. The turn around spot (although the train doesn't actually turn around) features an historic grinding mill that still grinds wheat and corn - and you can purchase fresh ground product! I upgraded to the caboose cupola seats, and it was certainly worth it. My granddaughter just had the best time, and being that high, we could see all the way to I-70! We both enjoyed it very much. There is the caboose you can ride in, a couple of open but covered top cars, and an enclosed car with windows. I would definitely recommend this for a fun afternoon!
You can also ride in the morning, and that would leave time to visit the Greyhound museum or the Eisenhower museum which we did not see.
You can also ride in the morning, and that would leave time to visit the Greyhound museum or the Eisenhower museum which we did not see.
Written September 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
countryeditor
Martha's Vineyard, MA105 contributions
May 2021
Riding the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad made for a fantastic Saturday afternoon, especially since it was a rare opportunity to see the steam locomotive in operation. The five-mile trip to Enterprise takes about 25 minutes; you cross the Smoky Hill River, which meanders 575 miles through Colorado and Kansas. Other than being able to ride an actual train, the highlight is the entertaining narration by Steve Smethers, director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Kansas State University. Steve gives the history of the railroad and the community's efforts to restore it on the way to Enterprise. On the way back, he provides interesting stories about Carrie Nation, the Eisenhower family, and Dr. A.B. Seelye of Abilene. The only thing I didn't enjoy as much was the stop at the Hoffman Grist Mill in Enterprise. It's a very small place and difficult to maneuver inside with 100 people on our trip.
Written May 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BrendaK6955
McPherson, KS105 contributions
Sep 2021 • Family
Train goes about six miles to a small town nearby. The announcer on the train spoke very clearly and was easy to understand. While you’re waiting for your train, you can watch staged gun fights in old Abilene town, located right by the depot. Fun event and I would do it again.
Written September 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IowaTraveler925
Iowa206 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
We had limited time to get to Abilene during a recent trip to the Kansas City and booked an afternoon train ride months in advance for our one available time.
While there was unfortunately a switch/safety isssue almost immediately into our ride, I am still so happy we went. Seeing the steam engine in person and climbing up into the top seats in the caboose for our brief ride was just cool. Many people get their tickets for the excursions stamped in honor of train history (a tip for your trip).
The staff could not have been more apologetic, safety focused or kind. Everyone was wonderful to visit with and very careful when the diesel engine had to pull the passengers back to the depot so the impacted cars could be more directly addressed.
Watch for the adorable service dog dressed in a train engineer's costume on the caboose.
Oh, and FYI, if you do buy caboose tickets, that ride is only one way because whatever engine you are riding in will be hooked to the caboose on the way back from your stop.
While there was unfortunately a switch/safety isssue almost immediately into our ride, I am still so happy we went. Seeing the steam engine in person and climbing up into the top seats in the caboose for our brief ride was just cool. Many people get their tickets for the excursions stamped in honor of train history (a tip for your trip).
The staff could not have been more apologetic, safety focused or kind. Everyone was wonderful to visit with and very careful when the diesel engine had to pull the passengers back to the depot so the impacted cars could be more directly addressed.
Watch for the adorable service dog dressed in a train engineer's costume on the caboose.
Oh, and FYI, if you do buy caboose tickets, that ride is only one way because whatever engine you are riding in will be hooked to the caboose on the way back from your stop.
Written September 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chip_Skylark
Emporia, KS3 contributions
May 2021 • Family
We visited for the first time on May 30, 2021 and had an incredible time even though it was a rainy day. The train is beautiful and the ride is so much fun. My children (12 and 6) had a blast and are eager to go back for another ride soon. I've also been asked if we can visit the museum next door to learn more about Abilene's history, so great job to our train ride host for making my kiddo's interested in learning!!! Thanks for a great family day!
Written June 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
K M
Ashland10 contributions
Oct 2020
Nice ride thru farmland, over water, and thru trees changing colors. Learn a lot about the area and attractions. All the individuals involved with the ride were very friendly and had vast knowledge of the area. The stop at the Grist Mill was enjoyable. If you are in or around the Abilene, KS area - the train ride is well worth taking.
Written October 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ken D
Wichita KS29 contributions
May 2022
We took the dinner train trip on a Saturday evening. "We" being grandparents and two grandsons (ages 5 and 11). The train experience was awesome. From the train engineers to the steam locomotive itself to the staff. These folks are some dedicated volunteers. I found the trip educational and relaxing. The grandsons are ready to go back.
The dinner experience was also great. The caterer was Hot Rodz BBQ out of Junction City. The food and service were both very good. Ribs, slaw and potato were on the menu and held up good to the conditions of being catered on a passenger car of a train. Liked the extra touches like bottled water with a lemonade mix packet.
Highlight was probably climbing into the cab of the locomotive and learning the basics\history from the engineers. A prior reviewer thought the scenery was not enjoyable. I disagree. Its not the Flint Hills but it is still pretty.
The dinner experience was also great. The caterer was Hot Rodz BBQ out of Junction City. The food and service were both very good. Ribs, slaw and potato were on the menu and held up good to the conditions of being catered on a passenger car of a train. Liked the extra touches like bottled water with a lemonade mix packet.
Highlight was probably climbing into the cab of the locomotive and learning the basics\history from the engineers. A prior reviewer thought the scenery was not enjoyable. I disagree. Its not the Flint Hills but it is still pretty.
Written May 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kdouglas_13
Wamego, KS5 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
We took our grandson on this train ride. He loves trains and was fascinated the entire time. The tour of the grist mill is well worth it. On the way back our grandson road in the engine and was allowed to honk the horn as well as push buttons and drive the train. He was a static when he got off.
Written June 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hbaird1964
1 contribution
Oct 2022
Life is short and YOU have to act. Excursions like the steam dinner train ride has been on the bucket list. And while not at the top of the list, like a snap shot off an aircraft carrier in a Super Hornet, it’s one of those that a few bucks and some white space on your calendar can make happen.
There is just something about vintage experiences that draw us closer to who we are because of the people before us.
I always admired the shear power of the steam locomotives. If you can stand next to one of these powerful leviathans from the past and not feel genuine awe, then kindly swipe right on your phone and return to the matrix. If you want to feel something real and a measure of raw, book a trip on the Abilene &Smokey Valley Railroad steam Dinner Train. I’ll bet you enjoy the experience and the number 3415 will forever have a cherished spot in your bucket list. HLB
There is just something about vintage experiences that draw us closer to who we are because of the people before us.
I always admired the shear power of the steam locomotives. If you can stand next to one of these powerful leviathans from the past and not feel genuine awe, then kindly swipe right on your phone and return to the matrix. If you want to feel something real and a measure of raw, book a trip on the Abilene &Smokey Valley Railroad steam Dinner Train. I’ll bet you enjoy the experience and the number 3415 will forever have a cherished spot in your bucket list. HLB
Written October 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James0098744
Edmond, OK1 contribution
Jul 2022 • Family
As part of our recent family vacation/get-together, all 13 of us rode on the Smokey Valley RR. Even though it was a hot July day and the generator for the AC in the enclosed car had just suffered a temporary breakdown, we all rode in one of the two open-air cars, so the breeze was nice. It also provided a lesson on how the adjacent green crop lands cooled the air compared to the heat of the bare plowed fields. It was a good time to slow down and just watch the fields go by. The grist mill at the turnaround in Enterprise was a nice stop to get some refreshments and watch the mill in action. The kiddos had a chance to climb onto the 1945 model engine for a quick tour. We were told an old steam engine makes an appearance on certain holidays, would like to return for that.
Following the ride, we enjoyed a tour of the museum inside the old depot. Great exhibits of railroad history. Enjoyed visiting with the volunteer engineers and conductor, sharing their experiences of the railroad.
The Smokey Valley RR is directly south of the Eisenhower Museum complex.
Following the ride, we enjoyed a tour of the museum inside the old depot. Great exhibits of railroad history. Enjoyed visiting with the volunteer engineers and conductor, sharing their experiences of the railroad.
The Smokey Valley RR is directly south of the Eisenhower Museum complex.
Written August 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
which #ed seats face forward with train moving forward in dinning car
Written July 26, 2023
Ross B
Abilene, Kansas
For the trip from Abilene to Enterprise 1/2 of the seats in the dining cars face forward. When we come back from Enterprise to Abilene, the other 1/2 of the cars face forward. The open-air car seats sit lengthwise so they face outward.
Written September 3, 2023
If we booked for Sunday, would we get money worth due to rain?
Written May 25, 2019
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