Historic Kansas railroad fights for top spot in 'best scenic train ride' competition
ABILENE (KSNT) - A historic Kansas locomotive is competing in a national contest this year to see if it offers the best ride around.
The Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad (ASVRR) is in the running for USAToday's 'best scenic train ride' nationwide competition. People can vote for the historic locomotive from now through to 11 a.m. on Monday, May 12 with the winners of the contest being revealed on Wednesday, May 21.
The ASVRR was initially founded in 1993 as a heritage railway, according to the railroad's website. The Kansas Legislature approved of the ASVRR being named the 'Official Heritage Railroad' of the state in 2024.
People can participate in activities and rides on the ASVRR's historic engines such as the Flint Hills Express and Smoky Valley Limited. The ASVRR's Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe #3415 began undergoing significant renovation work in 2022 and was named the official state steam locomotive last year.
"This charming heritage railroad offers two distinct experiences: the Flint Hills Express excursion train and the popular dinner train known as the Smoky Valley Limited. Both journeys take passengers on a two-hour round trip from the historic Abilene station through the rolling Smoky Hill River Valley. Passengers ride in antique cars and enjoy a stop at the Hoffman Mill and Country Store in Enterprise, Kansas. Excursions offers glimpses of prairie wildflowers, working farms, and historic sites, including President Eisenhower's boyhood home."
USAToday 'best scenic train ride' website excerpt
Twenty locomotives are competing against each other for the top spot with the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad being the only option from the Sunflower State. Railroads you can vote for include the following:
- Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad - Kansas.
- Blue Ridge Scenic Railway - Georgia.
- Calera & Shelby Railroad - Alabama.
- Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad - New Mexico/Colorado.
- Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad - Ohio.
- Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad - Colorado.
- Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad - West Virginia.
- East Broad Top Railroad - Pennsylvania.
- Everett Railroad - Pennsylvania.
- Georgetown Loop Railroad - Colorado.
- Grand Canyon Railway - Arizona.
- Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - North Carolina.
- Mount Hood Railroad - Oregon.
- Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad - West Virginia.
- Skunk Train - California.
- The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway - Colorado.
- Verde Canyon Railroad - Arizona.
- Western Maryland Scenic Railroad - Maryland.
- White Pass & Yukon Route - Alaska.
- Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad - California.
People can vote for their favorite picks once per day, according to the rules for the contest. You can vote for the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad by clicking here.
You can visit the ASVRR at 200 Southeast Fifth Street in Abilene and take part in historic train rides or other fun activities like visiting the Seeley Mansion. For more information on these events, click here.
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