This Scenic Train Ride in an Old-fashioned Locomotive Has Open-air Cars and Seaside Stops

On a stretch of the Oregon Coast where pine-covered hills roll to the Pacific Ocean, an old-fashioned steam locomotive chugs along the shoreline, offering an unhurried view of the landscape. The Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad is a heritage railway that runs between the small towns of Garibaldi and Rockaway Beach, carrying passengers through a cinematic slice of coastal Oregon past tidal flats, fishing boats, and weathered piers. 

The train’s signature trip, the Oregon Coastal Excursion – Rockaway Beach & Garibaldi, departs from either Rockaway Beach or Garibaldi and ends in the opposite town. The 30-minute journey includes onboard narration that shares the history of the route and sights along the way along with nonstop views of both the Oregon seaside and thick, coastal forest.

Upon arrival at your destination—be it Rockaway Beach or Garibaldi—you have 30 minutes to checkout local restaurants and shops or head to the beach before reboarding the train and returning to your starting destination. (Travelers can book a later return time if they want more than 30 minutes to explore.) Most trips are 90 minutes roundtrip, with a 30-minute train ride each way and a 30-minute layover.  

The Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad has both indoor and outdoor, open-air cars. Travelers who want to travel indoors can choose from a “Coach Car” with cushioned seats and windows that can slide open or a “Table Car,” which has two- and four-seat tables with chairs and windows that can slide open. The outdoor car options include a “Covered Open Car” with bench seats and a roof and a fully “Open Top Car,” which has bench seats, but no roof. 

Dogs and other small pets, like cats, are allowed on the train, but only in the two outdoor car types. 

The train is also wheelchair accessible via a wheelchair lift that’s located at the Garibaldi Station. With that in mind, travelers in wheelchairs will need to board the train in Garibaldi and travel north to Rockaway Beach. It is important to note that there is no lift at Rockaway Beach, so wheelchair travelers have to stay on board for the 30 minute layover. If you need the lift to board, arrive at Garibaldi Station at least 30 minutes before the set departure time.

Tickets for the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad start at $32 for adults and $24 for children ages 3 to 12. Seniors are $27 and infants are free. Tickets can be purchased online, in advance at oregoncoastscenic.org.

Typically, the train is pulled by a 99 year-old steam locomotive, but occasionally, the steam locomotive is replaced with a historic diesel locomotive. The locomotive type is noted at checkout.