Grapevine Vintage Railroad

The Grapevine Vintage Railroad (GVRR) is a heritage railroad in Grapevine, Texas, USA, that runs from the Main Street station in Grapevine, Texas to the Fort Worth Stockyards. GVRR is operated by the Fort Worth and Western Railroad.

History and description

The railroad operates passenger excursion trains using an 1896-era 4-6-0 steam locomotive and sometimes a diesel engine (a GP7u) to pull its 1920s-era Victorian coaches. Passengers board at Grapevine's historic Main Street station and the train operates over a 21-mile (34 kilometer) route to the Fort Worth Stockyards on former trackage that was owned by the St. Louis Southwestern Railway (aka the "Cotton Belt"). The main run starts in Grapevine, then runs to the Fort Worth Stockyards. After stopping in the stockyards, the train then runs a separate excursion along the Trinity River, then returns to the stockyards. The engine then runs around the train via a siding and turntable, and departs toward Grapevine.

The route was formerly operated as a FWWR commuter line, known as the Tarantula.

The operating TEXRail line parallels the GVRR for most of its route.

Special Excursions

In addition to the normal Grapevine-Fort Worth and Trinity River runs, GVRR offers many events and special excursions throughout the year.

North Pole Express

By far the railroad's most popular event, the North Pole Express runs every year late-November through December. The station and the train are both decorated for the occasion. For this out-and-back run, the train runs part of the way down the line from Grapevine until it gets to 'Reindeer Ridge', and then reverses back to Grapevine.

As riders board the train, they are given a souvenir ticket, and Santa's Elves pass out hot chocolate in a souvenir mug. When the train gets to 'Reindeer Ridge', Mrs. Clause boards the train, and as the train heads back to Grapevine, each child is presented with a silver bell that says 'We Believe'. Back in Grapevine, riders get off the train and enter the North Pole, where they are greeted with a snowy forest path that leads them to...