Steam to Steel: Great American Rail Bicentennial
Steam to Steel: The Great American Rail Bicentennial is a one-of-a-kind motorcoach adventure for travelers who love history, transportation, fascinating places, and simply seeing something new around every bend.
View Dates & BookSteam to Steel: The Great American Rail Bicentennial
August 13 - 21, 2027
9 DAYS | 8 NIGHTS
Travel comfortably by luxury motorcoach as we follow America's railroad story from the industrial heart of Pittsburgh to the battlefields of Gettysburg, the historic streets and grand stations of Baltimore, and the monuments of Washington, D.C. Along the way, we'll experience America by rail with scenic train rides, historic railroad museums, trolley rides, a century-old funicular, a narrated sightseeing cruise, Civil War history, and some truly memorable meals.
The railroad isn't simply something we see along the way — it is the thread that connects the entire journey.
Our adventure begins in Pittsburgh, where the city's rivers, bridges, steel heritage, and railroad history come together. Experience the city from the water aboard the Gateway Clipper as the skyline rises around you, then climb the century-old Duquesne Incline for breathtaking panoramic views of the three rivers and the city below. We'll dine in the magnificent former Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad Station at the Grand Concourse, where soaring architecture and elegant details surround us with a sense of railroad grandeur. From there, it's onto Amtrak through the Alleghenies and around the legendary Horseshoe Curve, followed by the Altoona Railroaders Museum, where the stories of locomotives, engineers, railroaders, and the communities they built come alive. These aren't simply sightseeing stops — they're opportunities to experience the scale, ambition, and ingenuity of an America being connected one mile of track at a time.
The journey continues through Gettysburg, where the story of the railroad meets some of the most powerful chapters of American history. Explore via guided tour at the Gettysburg battlefield, hear the stories of those who fought there, and then settle back aboard the Gettysburg Railway with wine as the Pennsylvania countryside rolls by. We'll travel aboard the North Central Railway, often pulled by the impressive Steam Locomotive 17, through scenery connected to Abraham Lincoln's historic journey to Gettysburg. In Baltimore, we'll uncover even more layers of railroad history with a guided tour featuring President Street Station, Pennsylvania Station, Mt. Royal Station, and the magnificent B&O Railroad Museum and Roundhouse. At the Irish American Museum, we'll discover the stories and sacrifices of Irish families who helped build and rebuild the mighty B&O, then explore another chapter of Baltimore's transportation history at the Biltmore Street Car Museum, remembering the city's once-vast network of electric streetcars. Along the way, historic settings, local flavors, memorable meals, and good company make every mile part of the adventure.
And just when you think you've seen it all, our journey carries us into the nation's capital, where transportation, innovation, and American history come together. Ride the rails at the National Capital Trolley Museum, explore the National Museum of American History, and enjoy a guided tour of Washington, D.C. We'll also pause at the Flight 93 Memorial, a powerful and moving reminder of courage and sacrifice, before turning toward home.
With luxury motorcoach transportation, a professional driver and tour director, comfortable hotels, scenic rail journeys, fascinating museums, historic landmarks, and memorable dining experiences woven throughout, this is so much more than a train trip. It's a journey through America's past — experienced through the sights, sounds, stories, and spirit of the rails.
Come along for the ride — because some journeys are measured not by the miles traveled, but by the memories made along the way. Happy Rails!
DAY 1: Maumee
Meet your fellow travelers, settle into your comfortable motorcoach, and join in the fun as we head east! With plenty of stretch breaks along the way, there's time to relax, visit with fellow travelers, and watch the scenery change as we begin our rail adventure. Tonight, we'll gather together for an included dinner at the incredible Maumee Bay Brewing Company, where we'll enjoy some local fare and raise a glass to the adventure ahead. After dinner, we'll settle in for the evening at the Hampton Inn Toledo South Maumee.
DDAY 2: Pittsburgh
After included breakfast at the hotel, we'll continue east toward Pittsburgh, a city whose identity is deeply intertwined with its railroads, rivers, steel mills, and remarkable industrial history. We'll have time for lunch on your own in the Strip District, one of Pittsburgh's most vibrant and colorful neighborhoods, filled with local shops, markets, restaurants, and plenty to explore.
Then we'll climb aboard the Gateway Clipper for a narrated sightseeing cruise along Pittsburgh's famous three rivers. Sit back and enjoy panoramic views of the city skyline while learning about the history and landmarks that make Pittsburgh such a fascinating American city.
After our cruise, we'll experience one of Pittsburgh's most iconic attractions, the Duquesne Incline. This century-old funicular is one of the few of its kind remaining in the nation and offers spectacular panoramic views of Pittsburgh and the surrounding rivers and hills. It's a memorable way to see the city from above and appreciate the geography that helped make Pittsburgh a powerhouse of American industry.
Tonight, we'll dine at the magnificent Grand Concourse, located inside the beautifully preserved former Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad Station. With its soaring architecture, elegant details, and railroad heritage, the setting itself becomes part of the dining experience. After dinner, we'll overnight at the Drury Inn Pittsburgh Downtown.
DAY 3: Gettysburg
Today, we get on the rails! After a hot included breakfast at the hotel, we'll board Amtrak for a memorable journey around the legendary Horseshoe Curve, one of the most celebrated engineering achievements in American railroad history. As the train winds through the Pennsylvania landscape, you'll experience firsthand the remarkable route that helped conquer the Allegheny Mountains and transform rail travel across the country.
We'll arrive in Altoona, a city whose history is inseparable from the Pennsylvania Railroad. Here we'll visit the Altoona Railroaders Museum, housed in a fascinating three-story building filled with stories, artifacts, exhibits, and memories of the people who built, operated, and maintained the railroad. It's a wonderful opportunity to step beyond the locomotives and discover the human stories behind America's railroads.
We'll enjoy an included lunch at a local Altoona restaurant before continuing to Gettysburg, where we'll settle in for a two-night stay at the Marriott Gettysburg. Tonight is yours to enjoy at your own pace, with dinner on your own and plenty of options around the town square.
DAY 4: Gettysburg
Today brings together two of America's great stories - the Civil War and the railroad. We'll begin our Gettysburg experience with the Film, Cyclorama & Museum Experience, bringing the Battle of Gettysburg to life through dramatic storytelling, artifacts, and the remarkable Cyclorama presentation.
Next, we'll head out for a two-hour guided tour of the Gettysburg battlefield, where the landscape itself becomes part of the story. Hear about the people, decisions, struggles, and sacrifices that shaped one of the most important battles in American history.
Then we'll combine history with a little indulgence as we board the Gettysburg Railway for a relaxing rail experience featuring wine along the way. It's a wonderful opportunity to sit back, watch the Pennsylvania countryside roll by, and enjoy the romance of rail travel.
Tonight, we'll step into history once again with an included dinner at the famous Dobbin House, a historic Gettysburg landmark dating back to 1776. Surrounded by centuries of American history, we'll enjoy a memorable evening together in one of the area's most atmospheric settings.
DAY 5: Baltimore
We'll experience another beautiful chapter in the story of American rail travel with a three-hour train ride aboard the North Central Railway. Often pulled by the impressive Steam Locomotive 17, this scenic journey takes us through the Pennsylvania countryside and along the Gunpowder Falls area.
The railway has a fascinating presidential connection as well, with a history tied to the journey of President Abraham Lincoln as he traveled toward Gettysburg. As the train rolls along the tracks, it's easy to imagine the passengers, stories, and historic moments that once traveled these same routes.
We'll enjoy a box lunch along the way before continuing to Baltimore. Tonight, we'll check into the elegant Kimpton Monaco Baltimore, our home for the evening. We'll gather together for an included dinner at Phillips Seafood, a Baltimore favorite and a fitting introduction to the city's famous seafood tradition.
DAY 6: Baltimore
Today we'll dive deep into the fascinating railroad and transportation history of Baltimore. Our guided tour will take us through some of the city's most historic neighborhoods and landmarks, including President Street Station, Fells Point, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Carroll Mansion, Pennsylvania Station, Mt. Royal Station, and the Garrett-Jacobs Mansion.
We'll then visit the B&O Railroad Museum & Roundhouse, where Baltimore's place in American railroad history truly comes alive. The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad played a groundbreaking role in America's transportation story, and the museum offers an incredible opportunity to see the locomotives, buildings, and artifacts that helped shape the nation. We'll enjoy a B&O box lunch as part of today's experience.
Our journey through Baltimore's transportation history continues with an included visit to the Irish American Museum, where we'll discover the sacrifices and contributions of Irish families who helped build and rebuild the mighty B&O Railroad. Their stories add a deeply personal chapter to the history of America's railroads and remind us that behind every mile of track were thousands of people and families whose lives were forever changed by the railroad.
We'll finish the day at the Biltmore Street Car Museum, exploring Baltimore's once-vast network of electric streetcars and discovering another fascinating chapter in the city's transportation history. Tonight, we'll enjoy an included dinner at a local favorite before relaxing after a full day of exploration. B&O box lunch and dinner are included.
DAY 7: Baltimore
We continue our journey through America's transportation story with a visit to the National Capital Trolley Museum, where we'll discover the history of street railways and enjoy trolley rides that bring that history to life.
Then it's on to the National Museum of American History, where you'll have time to explore the remarkable collections that tell the story of the people, inventions, innovations, and events that shaped the United States.
We'll also enjoy a step-on guided tour of Washington, D.C., giving us the opportunity to see some of the nation's most recognizable landmarks and hear stories from an expert local guide without having to navigate the capital ourselves.
Tonight, we'll gather for a special farewell dinner at Tony & Joe's Seafood Place, celebrating the friendships, history, and adventures we've shared throughout our journey. It's the perfect way to cap off our time exploring America's rails, cities, and stories.
DAY 8: Maumee
After breakfast, there is still more history to experience along the way. Our first stop will be the Flight 93 Memorial, a moving and meaningful place dedicated to the passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93. We'll take time to reflect on their courage, sacrifice, and the lasting significance of their story.
From there, we'll continue west, enjoying the changing scenery and sharing memories from the incredible journey we've taken together. Tonight, we'll enjoy dinner at a local favorite before settling in for the evening at the Hampton Inn Toledo South Maumee.
DAY 9: Home
We'll depart the hotel and begin our final journey home. We'll make convenient stretch breaks along the way and stop for lunch on your own, giving everyone a chance to relax, stretch their legs, and enjoy one last meal together on the road.
As we make our way home, we'll have plenty of time to think back on everything we've experienced - historic railroads, powerful stories, magnificent cities, scenic train rides, museums, battlefields, grand stations, trolley rides, unforgettable meals, and the simple pleasure of traveling together.
The tracks may end here, but the memories will travel with us. Happy rails to you, until the next time we meet again.
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D =Dinner
ALL deposits are due within seven (7) days of reservation by credit card or check. A 3% processing fee applies to all credit card transactions.
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| ALLENTON | ALLENTON P&R Lot 6689 County Rd W |
| APPLETON | APPLETON Park & Ride Lot E Evergreen off Ballard- 7 Day |
| BELOIT | BELOIT McDonald's 2881 Milwaukee Rd |
| BLACK RIVER FALLS | BLACK RIVER FALLS Perkins, N6209 Oasis Rd |
| BROOKFIELD | GOERKES CORNERS Park & Ride Lot 400 N Barker Rd P&R 5-day |
| BURLINGTON | BURLINGTON Veterans Terrace, 589 Milwaukee Ave (Hwy 36) |
| CEDAR GROVE | CEDAR GROVE Pilot Truck Stop, 905 Sauk Trail |
| COTTAGE GROVE | COTTAGE GROVE P & R Park & Ride 4708 County Hwy TT Sun Prairie, WI |
| DE PERE | DE PERE I-41 Exit 163-Main Ave Hwy G, P&R 7-day |
| DEFOREST | DEFOREST 5012 Elephant Trail, P&R 7-day |
| DELAFIELD | DELAFIELD Nagawaukee P&R Hwy 83 North of I-94 (Exit 287) P&R 2-day |
| DENMARK | DENMARK McDonald's 610 Depere Rd |
| FOND DU LAC | FOND DU LAC Park & Ride Lot - West Rolling Meadows Dr- 7 Day |
| FOND DU LAC (HD) | FOND DU LAC Former Home Depot Parking Lot 844 W Johnson St |
| GERMANTOWN | GERMANTOWN McDonald's N92W17512 County Line Q |
| GREEN BAY HOTEL J | GREEN BAY HOTEL J- **Overnight Room Required** Hotel J 2620 S Packerland Dr |
| GURNEE | GURNEE McDonald's 5555 Grand Ave Hwy 132 E. |
| JANESVILLE | JANESVILLE Kwik Trip Plaza, 3359 Milton Ave |
| JOHNSON CREEK | JOHNSON CREEK Park & Ride 350 N Watertown Rd 10-day |
| JUNEAU | JUNEAU Lamers Bus Lines, 548 S Fairfield Ave |
| KENOSHA | KENOSHA McDonald's, 12214 75th St (Hwy 50) |
| LA CROSSE | LA CROSSE Lamers Bus Lines, 326 Sky Harbour Dr |
| LAKE DELTON | LAKE DELTON Home Depot Parking Lot 136 Commerce St |
| LOMIRA | LOMIRA Midwestern Shooters 191 Church St, (S. End of Lot) |
| MADISON | MADISON American Center, 5601 Eastpark Blvd, P&R 7-day |
| MANITOWOC | MANITOWOC P&R Lot 4355 S Frontage Rd. P&R 7-day |
| MENASHA | MENASHA Lamers Bus Lines, 1825 Novak Dr |
| MKE BROWN DEER | BROWN DEER 43 W Brown Deer Rd at I-43, P&R 5-day |
| MKE COLLEGE | COLLEGE P & R SOUTHWEST LOT I-43/I-94/County ZZ SW LOT P&R 5-day |
| MKE GOOD HOPE | GOOD HOPE 11800 Good Hope Rd |
| MKE HALES CORNERS | HALES CORNERS PARK & RIDE 4800 S. 108th St Greenfield |
| MKE SOUTH | MKE SOUTH McDonald's, 6262 S 13th St |
| MOUNT PLEASANT | MOUNT PLEASANT McDonald's, 13343 Washington Ave (Hwy 20) |
| NEW LISBON | NEW LISBON McDonald's, 1701 E Bridge St. |
| NEW LONDON | NEW LONDON Wal-Mart, 1717 N Shawano St. (South End of Lot) |
| OCONOMOWOC | OCONOMOWOC Park & Ride Lot 35080 Delafield Road |
| OSHKOSH | OSHKOSH Burger King, 800 S Washburn |
| PLOVER | PLOVER Fmr. Younkers Lot-SE corner1800 Plover Rd (Hwy B) |
| PORT WASHINGTON | PORT WASHINGTON P&R 150 E. Seven Hills Rd, 2-day |
| PORTAGE | PORTAGE Petro Truck Plz.N5800 Kinney Rd (I-90/94 & Hwy 78) |
| ROCKFORD MACHINE SHED | ROCKFORD MACHINE SHED Machine Shed, 7475 E State St (Business US 20), IL |
| ROTHSCHILD | ROTHSCHILD Lamers Bus Lines, 2415 Trailwood Ln. |
| SHAWANO | SHAWANO Boarders Inn & Suites, W7393 River Bend Rd. |
| SHEBOYGAN | SHEBOYGAN Meijer 924 N Taylor Dr |
| TOMAH | TOMAH Kwik Trip,310 E McCoy Blvd, Hwy 21/12, (SW corner) |
| WAUPACA | WAUPACA Mobil Travel Ctr, 1222 W Fulton St (Hwys 10 & 54) |
| WAUWATOSA | WATERTOWN PLANK RD Park & Ride 10600 W Watertown Plank Rd, |
| WISCONSIN RAPIDS | WISCONSIN RAPIDS Lamers Bus Lines, 2611 W Grand Ave. |
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