New Hampshire: Lincoln to Woodstock
On board: Pam Wright and nieces Olivia, age 10, and Meghan, 7
The train: The Hobo Railroad, with its maroon engine and vintage coaches, takes passengers for an hour-plus ride skirting the picturesque Pemigewasset River, with funny narration along the way.
Most memorable sights: The 15-mile round-trip includes five bridge crossings and plenty of lovely forest and water views. Keen eyes can often spot hawks and eagles swooping down to catch fish in the river.
Cool treat: The kids loved the bagged picnic lunch served on a hobo stick, and the free coloring book and crayons.
Best nearby attraction: After the ride we visited Flume Gorge, with its towering waterfall, in Franconia Notch State Park.
Rail details: Hobo Railroad, 603-745-2135; hoborr.com; $11 for adults, $9 for children ages 3 to 11; Hobo picnic lunch, $9

Pennsylvania: Strasburg to Paradise
On board: Matt and Sandra Hume and kids Sky, age 5, and Wilder, 2K
The train: The velvet-seated cars of the Strasburg Rail Road, a coal-burning steam train, take a 45-minute route past Amish farms in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
Favorite moment: Midway through the trip to tiny Paradise, the train came to a stop and whistled. As instructed, we stayed quiet and listened for the "ghost whistle" (really an echo, but don't tell my kids!).
Fun stopping point: Riders can get off and lunch at a picnic spot near the tracks and try the adjoining Amazing Maize Maze.
Best nearby attraction: Just across from the station is the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, with its vast buildings and outdoor displays. Kids can climb into engine cabs and old rail cars and learn about the history of the United States as told through its trains.
Rail details: Strasburg Rail Road, 717-687-7522; strasburgrailroad.com; $11 for adults, $6 for children ages 3 to 11

Colorado: Durango to Silverton
On board: Katy Koontz and Colby McLemore and Katy's daughter, Sam Friedlander, 11
The train: The coal-fired, steam-powered Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad winds through a stunning gorge and beneath the snowcapped Rockies on an all-day round-trip.
Most memorable sight: Chugging around a horseshoe curve, we got an eye-popping view of the Animas River 400 feet below.
Best nearby attraction: The colorful old mining town of Silverton (where you stop for a little over two hours before the return trip) is a National Historic Landmark. We had an excellent lunch at the Shady Lady.
Best spot to sit: The vintage cars protect you from cinders, but the open-air cars offer much more fabulous panoramic views. To minimize the soot, sit in the last car.
Rail details: Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, 888-TRAIN-07; durangotrain.com; $65 for adults, $35 for children ages 5 to 11