2022 Regular Excursion Schedule

The railroad operates regular trains on weekends from May through October, RAIN or SHINE! 

Our passenger cars are handicapped accessible, but with limited space for wheelchairs. Please call ahead to ensure seating.

All day-trip excursions are approximately

one hour and 10 minutes.

Departures are as follows:

May thru August
11:00 AM and 2:00 PM

Saturdays Only

September and October
11:00 AM and 2:00 PM

Saturdays and Sundays

November [steam]

11:00AM, 1:00PM and 3:00PM

*First three weekends only*

Exceptions to regular schedule:

Departures 11:00 AM, 1:30 PM & 4:00 PM:

June 25

July 23
August 27
September 24

We also operate many evening and extra trains as noted in our Special Events schedule at right and in our Dinner Train schedule.

Schedules are subject to change without notice. Although every effort will be made to operate on schedule, the Walkersville Southern Railroad is not liable for delays and reserves the right to alter its schedule and/or equipment as necessary.

Bunny Trains - April 9, 10 & 16 - 11 AM, 1:30 PM & 4 PM 

Visit with the Easter Bunny on the train! Each child will have a chance to take pictures with the Bunny and receive a small surprise. Reservations required.

Civil War Reenactors - April 30 - 11 AM & 2 PM

Union and Confederate reenactors on the train and in the bushes trackside.  Caution!
There will be the sound of gunfire with skirmishes along the line and a mock battle at the park. Reservations recommended. 

Sunday Picnic Train - May 1, June 19 (Father's Day), August 14 - 11 AM

***NEW THIS YEAR*** Ride the train the full length of our track (both North and South)! Bring the family out for an approximately 2-hour train ride with a 1-hour stop at the local community park for a BYO picnic and free-play time. 

Cab Rides - May 7 - 9 AM, 9:30 AM, 10 AM, 10:30 AM, 11 AM, 11:30 AM

Diesel engine cab rides available! Enjoy the ride of a lifetime sitting up with our engineer. Learn about the locomotive's controls while enjoying our tracks from a whole new viewpoiont. Then, jump into the Engineer's seat for a fun photo op!

Cab rides are private and approximately 30 minutes long. Must be 18+ or accompanied by an adult parent/guardian. Riders must wear full-length pants/jeans, and no open-toe shoes or high-heels will be permitted. 30 minute time-slots. Reservations required.

Opening Day - May 7 - 11 AM & 2 PM

Vintage engines on display all day. Enjoy one of the first rides of the season! 

Jesse James Day - May 14, June 4, July 9, August 13, September 10, October 15, November 5 [steam]* - 11 AM & 2 PM (*November 5 - 11AM, 1PM & 3PM)

Jesse James and his gang are on the loose.  Expect an Old West raid on the train.  We'll supply the loot for the robbery, and be aware that there will be the sound of gunfire. *November 5 - "B" Western theme w/Steam Locomotive. Reservations recommended.

History Train - May 15 - 1PM

***NEW THIS YEAR*** Join us for a narrated excursion about our railroad history, equipment, landmarks and railroad trivia. Includes a demo of assembling a train consist. This event is limited to older children (12+) and adults. Reservations recommended.

Railfan Special - May 29 - 5 PM

This year's Railfan Photo Special theme is "Fast Freight" on the Walkersville Southern. We will be using Plymouth #7 to lead freight and GE #9331 to lead the passenger train. All diesels. There will be several photo runbys. This event is not handicap accessible. Reservations Required.

Wizard Express - June 25 and September 24- 11 AM, 1:30 PM & 4 PM 

***NEW THIS YEAR*** Attention Muggles! Ride the train with your favorite wizards! You will be greeted at the station by the wizards, then watch them put on a magical platform 9 3/4 performance, followed by a 1 hour and 10 minute long excursion. Our magical guests will visit with each family for photos and prizes. We are so excited to be partnering with Sew Classy Royal Events to bring you this event. Children are encouraged to dress up! Private Caboose rentals available. Reservations required.

Star-Spangled Fireworks Special - Friday, July 8 - 8 PM   RAIN DATE: July 9

Board the train for a ride and spectacular front-row view of fireworks. Train departs at 8 PM from our station.  We'll ride to the end of the line, stop near the carnival grounds where we will get off the train, watch fireworks at 10 PM, then take the short ride back to the station. Bring a flashlight and a blanket to sit on. This event is not handicap accessible. Reservations required. 

Super Hero Picnic - Wednesday, July 6 & 20 and August 3, 17 & 24 - 11:30 AM

Come dressed as your favorite Super Hero! Train departs at 11:30 AM and returns at approximately 2 PM, with a stop in the park for BYO lunch and a Super Hero themed story time presented by the Frederick County Public Library. This event is not handicap accessible. Reservations recommended. RAIN or SHINE!

Teddy Bear Picnic - Wednesday, July 13 & 27 and August 10 - 11:30 AM

Bring your favorite Teddy Bear and meet Goldilocks during the train ride! Train departs at 11:30 AM and returns at approximately 2 PM, with a stop in the park for BYO lunch and a Teddy Bear themed story time presented by the Frederick County Public Library. This event is not handicap accessible. Reservations recommended.  RAIN or SHINE!

Sensory-Friendly Summertime Excursion - July 30- 4 PM

This event is geared specifically for our Autism spectrum and sensory processing disorder friends in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Seating is not assigned, but can be chosen at your leisure in any of our two open air cars, two passenger cars or caboose. There will be the sound of the train whistle at crossings. Reservations are not required, but are available. The ride is 1 hour and 10 minutes, Rain or Shine. This sensory-friendly event is closed to the general public and exclusive to those on the autism spectrum or with similar needs and their friends/family. Reservations.

Princess Express - July 23 - 11 AM, 1:30 PM & 4 PM 

Hear ye, hear ye! Ride the train with your favorite princesses! Be greeted at the station by the princesses, then watch them put on a magical platform performance, followed by a 1 hour and 10 minute long excursion, where the princesses will visit with each family for photos and prizes. We are so excited to be partnering with Sew Classy Royal Events to bring you this event. Private Caboose rentals available. Reservations required.

Pirates and Pixies - August 27 - 11 AM, 1:30 PM & 4 PM 

***NEW THIS YEAR*** You have Never, Never been to an event like this! Ride the train with your favorite pirates and pixies! You will be greeted at the station by the pirates and pixies, then watch them put on a magical platform performance, followed by a 1 hour and 10 minute long excursion. Our magical guests will visit with each family for photos and prizes. We are so excited to be partnering with Sew Classy Royal Events to bring you this event. Children are encouraged to dress up! Private Caboose rentals available. Reservations required.

Grandparent's Day/Patriot Day - Sunday, September 11 - 11 AM and 2 PM

Celebrate Grandparent's Day and Patriot Day with a relaxing train ride.

Steam Train Rides - November 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 & 20 - 11AM, 1PM & 3PM

Steam returns to WSRR!  Experience the exciting sights, smells and sounds of steam for three weekends beginning November 5th! Ride behind a real, coal-fired steam locomotive. Be sure to have your camera ready for some memorable photos.  We'll have two open flat cars behind the steamer, plus several enclosed cars and a caboose (caboose available when not privately reserved). Departures at 11 AM, 1 PM and 3 PM each day.   Note that you may not want to wear your Sunday best because the steam locomotive can shower a little coal dust and water at times.   Daytime excursions (1 hour and 10 minutes) Reservations recommended.

Hand on the Throttle (Steam) - November 6, 13 & 20 - 8 AM, 8:30 AM, 9 AM, 9:30 AM

Treat yourself or the train enthusiast in your life to a unique "Hand on the Throttle" ride with one of our experienced engineers aboard a steam locomotive. Hand on the Throttle rides are approximately 30 minutes long. Must be 18+, possess a valid driver's license, wear closed-toe shoes, full-length pants/jeans and a long-sleeved shirt. We suggest eye and ear protection, gloves and a hat. 30 minute time-slots. Reservations Required.

Santa Trains - November 26 & 27 and December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 & 18 - 11 AM, 1:30 PM & 4 PM (Dec 3 & 17  - 11 AM & 1:30 PM only)

Ride the train with Santa! Santa will visit with each family for photos, and have a small gift for all children. Reservations required.

Winter Express w/Santa & Friends - December 3 & 17 - 4 PM & 6:30 PM

December 3 - Beauty & Beast
December 17 - Ice Queen & Ice Princess

Santa will be joined by some magical friends for a Christmas celebration unlike any other! Join us as our special guests perform the most recognizable songs on our platform, followed by a 1 hour and 10 minute train ride filled with personal visits from our special guests and on-board entertainment. Santa will also have a small surprise for each child. We are so excited to be partnering with Sew Classy Royal Events to bring you this event. Children are encouraged to dress up! Private Caboose rentals available. Reservations required.