Barnstable, MA
Cape Cod Central Railroad
At a Glance
- TypeHeritage railroad & tourist attraction
- LocationBarnstable, MA
- Rating4.2 ★387 Google reviews
- UpcomingThu, Aug 13
About Cape Cod Central Railroad
A heritage train glides along the Cape Main Line between Hyannis and Buzzards Bay, offering scenic views of Cape Cod’s shoreline, marshes and historic villages. The service features family‑friendly scenic, brunch and lunch trips, an elegant dinner experience praised by the Food Network, a Polar Express holiday run and a Summer Concert Train.
Upcoming Events
Plan Your Visit
- ParkingPaid lot · street parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible entrance · accessible restroom · accessible parking
Find the Depot
The Trains
Cape Cod Central's consists are built for sightseeing and table service rather than around a marquee locomotive: the railroad runs the daily Shoreline Excursion sightseeing trains, a Family Supper train, brunch and lunch trains, and an elegant dinner train the Food Network has rated among the top three in the nation. Trains work the MassDOT-owned Cape Main Line, with excursions from downtown Hyannis toward the Cape Cod Canal in spring, summer, and fall; since 2006 the company has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Cape Rail Inc., which also operates the Massachusetts Coastal Railroad freight carrier.
History
See full history
The Cape Cod Central Railroad begins operation in 1999 as a heritage excursion service on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. In 2006 the company becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Cape Rail Inc., which also controls the Massachusetts Coastal Railroad that provides the actual train operations. Control of Cape Rail Inc. and its subsidiaries passes to Chicago‑based Iowa Pacific Holdings in October 2012. A notable service milestone occurs on November 21 2009 when the railroad runs a dinner train on the Falmouth Line via North Falmouth. Its Elegant Dinner train later earns a Food Network ranking as one of the nation’s top three dinner‑train experiences.
Around the Depot
Massachusetts riders on the Cape Cod Central Railroad can also reach the Chatham Railroad Museum about 21 mi off and the Edaville Railroad roughly 23 mi away.
Getting There & Staying Nearby
Optional trip extras from our travel partners.
Rent a Car
Most heritage railroads sit well off the interstate. Picking up a rental at the nearest airport is usually the easiest way in.
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Tours & Activities near Barnstable
Tours
Guided tours, day trips, and things to do around the area, bookable in advance through Viator.
Browse nearby tours →Bookings made through this link support usatrainrides at no extra cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Cape Cod Central Railroad located?
Cape Cod Central Railroad is located in Barnstable, MA.
How do I get tickets to Cape Cod Central Railroad?
Tickets and current schedules are available on the operator's official website at https://www.capetrain.com/.
When is the next event at Cape Cod Central Railroad?
The next scheduled event is "Cape Cod Excursion Train - Departing Hyannis" on Thursday, August 13, 2026. See the full upcoming-events list on this page.