This ride is one of the most beautiful train rides/day trips in upstate NY.. very scenic and relaxing. The 3 hour layover in North Creek is equally pleasant with multiple restaurants having great menus all within walking distance from the station which by the way houses a wonderful museum. This is truly one of the diamond's of the Adarondacks
I've taken many trips on this railroad, typically a few times a year since they started in 2011. Always a superb experience and first class service and vintage railroad equipment. The crew was always top notch, friendly and professional. One of the many things I enjoyed was the beautiful scenery otherwise not accessible by any other means. The fall foliage rides and winter snow train runs are my favorite. I love seeing families enjoying the trip, especially grandparents and their young grandchildren. The kids are all excited about riding on the "big train". A lot of seniors too enjoy the beautiful scenery which could only be enjoyed by train rather than a hiking trail. I'm grateful to both the Saratoga & North Creek Railroad and the counties of Corinth and Warren for keeping one of the few working rail lines up and running for all to enjoy. I hope to take the dinner train next summer. Sammy
We loved the Tuesday “dark day” jazz dinner during racing season a couple of years ago. So we were very disappointed when you didn’t have it last summer, especially as it was very popular. The night we went the train was at full capacity.
The music, dinner, service and scenic views were all top notch. My husband and I were seated at a table with a woman and her elderly mom. They were lovely people and we enjoyed the conversation.
Please bring back this event in August!
What an awesome ride!!!! Doesn’t matter what time of year it is, there is always something to see out the window of a Saratoga and North Creek Railroad train! Great people on board take care of you and it is one smooth ride. Treat yourself to a dome trip. You won’t regret the view
We loved our trip from Saratoga to North Creek and back! Both breakfast and dinner were elegantly enjoyed on the train, and prices were reasonable as well. The trip delighted both us and our young companions (ages 7 and 9), and the free shuttle from North Creek’s train station to Gore Mountain was a big plus. We were all impressed by the friendliness and efficiency of the railroad staff as well. It was a fabulous experience.
It was peaceful. The town was basically shut down when I went, so make sure the stores are open when you go. Scenery was beautiful. Staff were courteous. You might want to bring your own lunch, as well.
This railroad is a treasure in the north country. I've ridden it several times and eaten meals on the train in the dining car. Unbelievable! Wonderful experience going along the river and through the woods where the highway doesn't go. I wish there was a reliable AMTRAK connection north to Saratoga Springs to meet the train to North Creek. As entertainment it's great. As actual transportation it almost works for me. There needs to be a car rental outfit in North Creek so one can continue the trip further. Thanks for the wonderful trips so far!
My husband and I were looking for something new, different and seemingly exciting for our first anniversary and we wanted to stay in the Adirondacks. So we knew where we were camping. We just needed to find something near where we camped Indian Lake. We found the rail bikes and jumped on that. We loved the ride to North Creek and the ten minute ride to where the bikes were. They gave us the rules and a quick of their history and where the company originated. We wish the ride in and out on the bikes were a little longer. But all in and all we enjoyed and have asked others to join next summer if they come back.
I used to be a huge proponent of this railway. I loved the ski train the many times I took it. I had a blast taking the Polar Express twice. My wife and I even took the train just to wander around North Creek more than once. These memories are why I'm not giving the railway 1 star. It was good once.
But, all of those things work because of the beauty of the Adirondacks. With the railways decision to turn miles of tracks into a garbage dump for old oil cars, they've lost me. I hope they acknowledge their mistake and somehow find a way to fix it.
I loved the entire trip! Great service and suggestions for a variety of things to do in North Creek!
I wish more seats were available for the diamond class, as well as a food service for the dome car but enjoying a glass of wine created by the conductor was the perfect way to savor the trip back!!!
This is definitely a MUST DO every year.
I worked here for three years. Management's left hand doesn't know the right exists, let alone what it's doing. In fact, the only thing management cares about is money, and it shows. Last year, they even tried stiffing the seasonal Polar Express employees out of their last paycheck. Only a mass run to the media and State labor board put a kibosh on that. If I could rate them 0 stars I would.
They cancelled our reservation 25 hours before hand and lied about the reason. They over booked the evening but said it was a mechanical issue.
We planned our Polar Express reservation to line up with the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train because we were coming from out of town. We were very excited about the whole evening. My three year old has been watching the movie for a full year now. I made our reservations back in October as soon as the CPHTRAIN announced their schedule. On Friday night, November 25, 2016 at 430pm I received a call saying that the Polar Express train was having a mechanical issue and wouldn't be running Saturday night November 26th. We were offered the ability to reschedule for the following evening in a higher class than we had originally reserved if we paid the difference. Unfortunately we were unable to do Sunday night because we live three hours away and have work the following morning. They refunded us in full and we were devastated. We had also made hotel reservations that could not be cancelled without penalty, due to it being less than 24 hours from check in time. I called the railway station Saturday afternoon to check to see if the Polar Express was running, because we were told that it was, even though the day before it was "cancelled". I was told the trains were on time that evening, so I asked to speak with a manger and was hung up on. I called back again and said that I have an issue that requires help from a supervisor or manager. I was transferred to a voicemail and am still waiting for a reply. Today is Monday November 28th. I do not think they care enough to return the call but I hope to be proven wrong. It is also too late to make reservations on any other Polar Express type activity, since all of those book out months in advance, which we had originally done. Very disapointing.
Very cool place to take a train ride. The kids loved it and so did I for that matter. We first ride the train for a local road running race and we feel in love with the vintage-like charm.
I'm not just a reporter, and a native NYer, i'm also a history buff. Because my face was glued to the window fascinated by the scenery as it passed. I didn't notice the service because my eyes were glued to the windows. taking in the view.
It was the same scenery that flew by the preoccupied T. R. {a.k.a. Teddy Roosevelt}; he was en route to Washington, following the shooting of Pres. McKinley in Buffalo at the western end of NY.
Whether or not you know a thing about history you're sure to be utterly delighted by this sublime trip back in time; you will journey back to an era when most people were in awe of the sheer power of locomotives.
I would love to review this but this problem is we were stupid and completely forgot about the reservation we made so we called them and they wouldn't do anything to help us. I understand we were the ones at fault and forgot the trip and that is totally on us but I was really surprised that they wouldn't do anything to help us. I mean they could have easily just removed our reservation and then put us on another date. But I guess their customers aren't that important to them. There's no room for mistakes, all they care about is getting their money, not providing the service. Disappointing