Grapevine Vintage Railroad Tours and Activities
The Grapevine Vintage Railroad Tours and Activities are the best way to see Grapevine from the comfort of an authentic 1920s Victorian train. Located at the historic Cotton Belt Depot in downtown Grapevine, GVRR offers standard train rides throughout the year as well as themed excursions for holiday celebrations and other special occasions. The popular North Pole Express and After Christmas Trains are among the annual favorites for families. Adults-only Jazz Wine Trains and a Halloween-themed excursion are also offered. Learn more here in Grapevine.
Two powerful trains are used to operate the GVRR: an 1896 steam locomotive known as “Puffy” and a 1953 EMD GP7u diesel engine nicknamed “Vinny.” Guests can choose between the touring class coach with vintage wooden-backed seats or first class with posh Victorian-style upholstered seating. Both coaches have ceiling fans, heating during winter, and snack bars.
During a standard trip, passengers board the GVRR at the Grapevine station and travel on the Cotton Belt route to the Fort Worth Stockyards. The round-trip ride provides ample time to explore the Stockyards Historic District and enjoy lunch or dinner at one of the area restaurants. The shorter, one-hour Stockyards Fun Train is great for younger children who may not have the attention span for the longer trip to and from the Stockyards.
The GVRR is one of the oldest railways in the state of Texas and is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Regional Rail System (RFRS). As such, it’s one of the most scenic ways to travel between cities in the metroplex. Several routes connect Grapevine to other cities, including a direct link with Dallas’s TEXRail for commuters.
Families with young children will find plenty of fun on the GVRR’s shorter one-hour excursions like the Trinity River Train Excursion and the Grapevine Fun Train. During the former, guests learn about the history of the city of Fort Worth as they travel along both sides of the Trinity River and through beautiful Trinity Park on their way to the Stockyards. On the latter, kids can keep an eye out for greedy outlaws attempting to rob your train during the Great Train Robberies.
The railroad also hosts a number of special events and festivities for the holidays that are geared to families. The popular North Pole Express features elves, caroling, and interaction with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, while other seasonal attractions include the Easter Bunny Train, Mother’s Day Train, Fourth of July Train, and Valentine’s Day Train.
The GVRR is known for its seasonal and holiday events but is also a popular destination for birthday parties. The train’s party rooms can accommodate up to 30 children and offer a variety of amenities, including a private room with access to the outdoor patio. The staff also helps plan activities that are unique to the birthday child. The GVRR can host other events on its property, too, such as fundraisers and company parties. To make reservations, contact the party planner at least three weeks in advance. Learn more about Great Wolf Lodge Indoor Water Park and Resort.
