Delaware River Railroad Excursions

What Delaware River Railroad Excursions does

Delaware River Railroad Excursions operates scenic and themed passenger train rides along the Delaware River, based at Phillipsburg, New Jersey. The organization is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, operated under the New York Susquehanna & Western Technical & Historical Society Inc. (NYSWTHS) and run with an all-volunteer workforce supplemented by a contracted partnership with Black River and Western Railroad for FRA-compliant operations. Its core technology is Steam Locomotive #142, a hand-fired 154-ton engine built in 1989 by TangShan Locomotive Works in China, paired with restored 1950s Long Island Railroad passenger cars, operating on approximately 15 scenic miles of the former Belvidere & Delaware Railroad between Phillipsburg and Riegelsville, NJ.

The product portfolio centers on a core River Train excursion running May through October, supplemented by the Winery Train (partnering with Villa Milagro Vineyards), Mine Train, and Corn Maze Train add-ons, plus seasonally themed events including the Polar Express (operating 20+ years, positioning as the original Polar Express ride in the New York metro area), Great Pumpkin Train, Easter Bunny Train, Day Out With Thomas, and Dino Days. Birthday party packages at the mine site run $400 for up to 20 guests. An on-site gift shop sells minerals, fossils, and souvenirs, and the railroad generates secondary income from film location fees (Cider House Rules, A Plot Against America). The Maywood Station Museum is a division of the society, preserving historic artifacts and housing ALCO S-2 Locomotive #206 on the National Register of Historic Places.

The company serves four primary customer segments: families with children (primary), educational groups (schools, scouts), rail enthusiasts, and regional tourists in the Lehigh Valley and NJ/PA border region. Revenue is generated entirely through ticket sales, membership subscriptions ($59.66-$150.96 annually), gift shop merchandise, birthday packages, and filming fees. Marketing is multi-channel but predominantly direct-to-consumer via 877trainride.com, with secondary distribution through TicketWeb and a broad social media footprint across dedicated Facebook pages for each event sub-brand. The organization draws 100,000+ annual visitors and operates with 500+ members from 25 states plus international members, reflecting a 35+ year operating history.

Name

Delaware River Railroad Excursions

Legal name

New York Susquehanna & Western Technical & Historical Society Inc.

Website

https://877trainride.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Delaware River Railroad Excursions is a 501(c)(3) non-profit heritage railroad operating steam-powered scenic and themed train rides along the Delaware River from Phillipsburg, NJ, serving families, tourists, and rail enthusiasts through ticketed excursions, seasonal events, and a volunteer-run museum.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Heritage Railway Excursions

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Land (48711), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation (487), Rail Transportation (482)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Tourist/Scenic/Heritage Passenger Rail Operators (TLAFADAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Tourist/Heritage Regional Rail (Commuter-Adjacent) Services (THAIACAJ)

Keywords

• Heritage railway excursions
• Scenic train rides
• Steam railroad experiences
• Themed rail events
• Rail tourism entertainment

Headquarters

HQ city

Phillipsburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Train Excursion Tickets: Primary revenue stream from ticket sales for various themed train excursions including River Train, Mine Train, Winery Train, Corn Maze Train, Great Pumpkin Train, Polar Express, Easter Bunny Train, Day Out With Thomas, and Dino Days. Revenue is per-ticket, one-time transaction-based with different price points for adults and children.
2. Birthday Party Packages: Private birthday party packages at the Mine location including private train car, mine tour, party pavilion, and mining experience for up to 20 guests.
3. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership plans (Individual $59.66, Household $120.78, VIP Pass $150.96) offering benefits for members of the NYSWTHS non-profit organization.
4. Gift Shop and On-Site Sales: On-site gift shops at train station and Susquehanna Mining Company selling minerals, fossils, geodes, souvenirs, snacks and beverages.
5. Film and Production Income: Railroad featured in movies including Cider House Rules, A Plot Against America, and others. Second income stream for the non-profit from filming location fees.
6. Add-On Experiences: Additional revenue from add-on experiences such as Susquehanna Mining Company ($6), Corn Maze ($5), and specialty mining bags (Mother Load $25, Mega Strike for 20 lbs).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Delaware River Railroad Excursions is a non-profit living museum that operates themed passenger train rides and seasonal excursion experiences along the Delaware River in New Jersey. Its core offering is ticket-based recreational train rides powered by an authentic operating steam locomotive (#142), ranging from scenic weekend trips (River Train, Winery Train) to seasonal/special events (Polar Express, Easter Bunny Train, Great Pumpkin Train, Day Out With Thomas, Dino Days) and on-site add-on attractions such as the Susquehanna Mining Company gem panning experience and Corn Maze. The portfolio is sold primarily direct-to-consumer through the company's website and physical ticket booth.

Product overview

Delaware River Railroad Excursions is a non-profit living museum of steam railroading operated by the New York Susquehanna & Western Technical & Historical Society. The company offers a portfolio of train excursion experiences centered around its historic steam locomotive #142, including core products (The River Train, The Winery Train), seasonal events (Great Pumpkin Train, Easter Bunny Train, A Day Out With Thomas, The Polar Express, Dino Days), and add-on attractions (Susquehanna Mining Company gem panning, Corn Maze Train, Birthday Trains). The portfolio also includes the Maywood Station Museum as a historical preservation sub-brand. The company operates weekend excursions from May through October, with special holiday and seasonal events throughout the year.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Warren County Winery Train: Scenic train excursion to Villa Milagro Vineyards featuring wine tours and tastings along the Delaware River
• The River Train
• The Susquehanna Mining Company
• The Polar Express
• A Day Out With Thomas
• The Corn Maze Train
• The Easter Bunny Train
• The Great Pumpkin Train
• Dino Days Train Ride
• Birthday Trains

Products and services

• The River Train Regular weekend scenic train excursion along the Delaware River from Phillipsburg, NJ to Riegelsville, NJ, offering a 20-mile round trip with views of the river and surrounding countryside. Targeted at families, tourists, and rail enthusiasts. Runs May through October with departures at 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 4:00 PM.
• The Warren County Winery Train Scenic train ride along the Delaware River to Riegelsville, NJ, with shuttle bus to Villa Milagro Vineyards for guided tours and tastings and panoramic views of the Delaware and Musconetcong Rivers. Runs weekends May through November; priced at $45 per person.
• The Susquehanna Mining Company (Mine Train) Gemstone panning experience at Snyders Station offering guided mine tours, hands-on panning for real gemstones (rubies, amethysts, crystals), and a dramatic mine blast demonstration. Includes gift shop, picnic grove, and games. Available as an add-on to River Train excursions.
• Corn Maze Train Seasonal corn maze adventure at Snyders Station featuring two unique maze designs with checkpoint games, a mystery monster game, and outdoor activities. Available late August through October as an add-on.
• The Great Pumpkin Train October-only seasonal train ride featuring fall foliage along the Delaware River, stops at a pumpkin patch in front of historic Carpentersville Lime Kilns, and optional mine and corn maze add-ons. Priced at $15 child / $21 adult.
• Dino Days Train Ride Dinosaur-themed family event featuring field paleontologist presentations with real fossils (Triceratops skull, Albertosaurus skull), fossil panning, a Dinosaur Exploration Maze, live entertainment, and corn maze access. Priced at $18 child / $22 adult.
• A Day Out With Thomas Thomas the Tank Engine-themed family event featuring a 25-minute train ride with Thomas, photo opportunities, Music Corner with activities and live music, and combo tickets pairing Thomas with River Train or Mine Train experiences. Priced at $22 all ages for Thomas event, with combo options available.
• The Polar Express Train Ride Holiday-themed immersive train experience based on Chris Van Allsburg's book, featuring reading of the story, hot chocolate, cookies, entertainment, and Santa visit. Priced at $48 adult / $38 child. The original Polar Express train ride in the New York metropolitan area, running 20+ years.
• Easter Bunny Train Ride Spring seasonal event featuring train ride along the Delaware River to Carpentersville Lime Kilns for Easter egg hunting, pictures with the Easter Bunny, and optional mine add-on. Priced at $14 child / $20 adult / $4 lap sitter (2 and under).
• Birthday Trains Private birthday party package at the mine site including private train car, mine tour, gem panning, party pavilion access, and the opportunity for the birthday child to push the plunger to "blow the mine." Priced at $400 for up to 20 guests ($20 each additional rider).
• Maywood Station Museum Historic train station museum featuring restored station with original woodwork, photographs, artifacts, displays, a restored caboose, and the New York Susquehanna & Western Railroad ALCO locomotive #206 (listed on the National Register of Historic Places). Periodic public hours and by-appointment visits for school trips and organizations.
• NYSWTHS Annual Memberships Annual membership tiers for the New York Susquehanna & Western Technical & Historical Society, including Individual ($59.66/yr, 1 adult + 4 children + 2 guests each visit), Household ($120.78/yr, up to 8 adults), and VIP Pass ($150.96/yr, up to 5 adults). Benefits include ride discounts and member privileges.
• Gift Shop and On-Site Merchandise On-site gift shops at the train station and Susquehanna Mining Company selling minerals, fossils, geodes, souvenirs, snacks, and beverages.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100,000+ visitors annually
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Black River and Western RailroadcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperations department administered by Black River and Western Railroad, which provides fully qualified federally regulated program of railroad operation. Partnership enables FRA-compliant train operations and training programs for volunteers.
• Villa Milagro VineyardscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive winery partner for Warren County Winery Train. Guests take shuttle bus from Riegelsville station up the hill to Villa Milagro for guided winery tour and tastings. Located on ridge overlooking Delaware and Musconetcong Rivers with panoramic views of four counties.
• Maywood Station Historical CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer committee manages Maywood Station Museum as division of NYSWTHS. Focuses on history of Maywood Station and New York, Susquehanna & Western Railroad. Houses thousands of drawings, maps, photos, documents and records in archives.
• Valley Railroad (Essex, Connecticut)minorOthersOriginal source of Steam Locomotive #142, purchased from Valley Railroad after the originally intended locomotive #141 was lost at sea during shipping.
• Hootz Bar & GrilleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRestaurant partner located next to Riegelsville station offering casual pub fare with river views. Recommended dining option for Winery Train passengers.
• The Riegelsville InnminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHistoric restaurant located across the Roebling Bridge in PA. Built in 1838, offers upscale-casual dining with river views. Recommended dining for Winery Train passengers.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Strasburg Rail Road: Heritage steam-powered tourist railroad in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, offering themed excursions including a licensed Polar Express ride. Closely comparable in operating model, customer base (families, railfans), and event portfolio to Delaware River Railroad Excursions.
• Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad: Colorado heritage steam narrow-gauge railroad offering scenic excursions and licensed Polar Express rides. Comparable in operating authentic steam equipment and licensed IP-driven holiday programming at premium price points.
• Valley Railroad (Essex, CT): Connecticut heritage railroad that was the original supplier of Steam Locomotive #142 to Delaware River Railroad Excursions. Operates themed dinner trains and seasonal excursions on a comparable short-line scenic basis.
• Cass Scenic Railroad: West Virginia heritage steam railroad operating geared steam locomotives over a former logging line. Comparable as a heritage steam tourist railroad with strong railfan appeal and seasonal operating schedule.
• Grand Canyon Railway: Arizona heritage scenic railroad offering daily passenger excursions to the Grand Canyon with licensed Polar Express holiday rides. Comparable in combining heritage steam equipment, themed events, and family tourist experience design.
• Conway Scenic Railroad: New Hampshire heritage railroad operating scenic and themed excursions in the White Mountains region. Comparable in operating vintage equipment and family-oriented themed event programming.
• Cape Cod Central Railroad: Scenic excursion railroad in Massachusetts offering themed dining and seasonal trains including a Polar Express-branded ride. Direct competitor for Northeast family tourist and holiday excursion dollars.
• Black River & Western Railroad: New Jersey heritage tourist railroad that serves as Delaware River Railroad's operational partner administering FRA-compliant train operations. Operates similar themed excursion trains in the same regional market.
• Adirondack Railroad: Scenic heritage passenger railroad in upstate New York offering themed fall foliage, holiday, and dining excursions. Comparable as a Northeast US heritage scenic rail operator targeting families and tourists.
• Catskill Mountain Railroad: Heritage tourist railroad in the New York region offering seasonal scenic excursions. Comparable in scale, regional positioning, and family/railfan target audience to Delaware River Railroad Excursions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/nyswths
• Facebookfacebook.com/delawareriverrailroadexcursions
• Instagraminstagram.com/delaware.river.railroad

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Delaware River Railroad Excursions