The Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad was named one of America’s top scenic train rides by USA Today, highlighting its picturesque journey through Kansas farmland and the Smoky Hill River Valley. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad was named one of America’s top scenic train rides by USA Today, highlighting its picturesque journey through Kansas farmland and the Smoky Hill River Valley
Source, photo: www.ksal.com

Voters selected the Kansas railroad during a month-long nationwide poll. The results, revealed Wednesday, placed it fifth among 10 of the most scenic excursion trains in the United States.

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USA Today Poll Places Kansas Railroad in National Spotlight

Classic heritage railways such as Colorado’s Durango and Silverton and New Mexico’s Cumbres and Toltec also made the list. Unlike those routes, the A&SV winds through river valleys rich with wildflowers, wildlife, and rural charm.

Most other scenic railroads featured in the ranking travel through mountains or desert terrain. In contrast, the A&SV offers travelers a serene, slow-paced ride through agricultural heartland and across scenic creeks.

As the only rural railroad on the list, the A&SV stands apart for its landscape and historical significance. Its route to Enterprise includes views of prairies and farmland rarely experienced by train travelers.

Rural Railroad Offers Unique Views of Kansas Farmland and History

Julie Roller Weeks, Director of the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau, said nominations often come from experienced travel writers. These experts frequently visit and review the A&SV, which receives regular coverage in travel blogs and magazines.

“USA Today readers are seeing what locals have long appreciated—the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad offers an unforgettable rail experience,” said Weeks.

She added that the railroad provides a time-capsule-like trip, connecting passengers to Kansas’ heritage through historic railcars and storytelling.

The final USA Today rankings listed the Durango and Silverton as number one, followed by East Broad Top, Cumbres and Toltec, and the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad.

The Abilene and Smoky Valley placed fifth, ahead of lines like West Virginia’s Potomac Eagle and California’s Skunk Train. Each railway offers unique landscapes and memorable experiences across the country.

Source, photo: www.ksal.com

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