Titusville, PA
Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad
4.6· 882 Google reviews
Trip at a Glance
Source checked 2026-08-12- TypeHeritage railroad & tourist attraction
- LocationTitusville, PA
- Rating4.6 ★882 Google reviews
- UpcomingSat, Sep 26
About Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad
Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad is a nonprofit heritage excursion through the valley where the modern petroleum industry began. Its regular 27-mile round trip leaves the early-1890s Perry Street freight station in Titusville, travels through Oil Creek State Park at roughly 10–12 mph, pauses briefly at Rynd Farm, and returns after about three hours. Narration interprets oil-boom communities and industrial remains, while an operating Railway Post Office car, First Class lounge, Coach cars, and a weather-dependent open-air gondola add distinct ways to experience the route. The railroad does not sell e-tickets or accept online reservations; official advance sales are handled by phone, email, or printable form.
Ways to Ride
Choose the visit that fits your groupFamilies, first-time visitors, oil-history travelers, scenic riders, and railfans
Regular Oil Creek Valley excursion
Ride the 27-mile, roughly three-hour narrated round trip from Titusville through Oil Creek State Park, with Coach, First Class, and weather-dependent open-air options.
Rail-history visitors, stamp collectors, families, and anyone seeking the line’s most distinctive onboard activity
Railway Post Office car
Address and mail a postcard aboard RPO No. 66 to receive the railroad’s official USPS handstamp while the train moves through the valley.
Cyclists, hikers, paddlers, and active travelers who can manage the logistics and conditions
Hike, bike, or paddle with a one-way train return
Coordinate an eligible June–September outdoor trip with the railroad and Oil Creek State Park; equipment space costs extra and the program is excluded from October and special events.
Adults seeking a social evening excursion rather than the narrated regular ride
Wine Tasting Train — August 14
A 21+ three-hour Coach event departing at 6 p.m. with six to eight wines, light appetizers, and a souvenir glass. Advance reservation is required and tickets are nonrefundable.
Adults and older teens; the operator does not recommend the program for children under 16
Murder Mystery Dinner trains
Remaining listed availability is August 29 and September 5, 12, and 26. Dinner begins at 4:45 p.m., the train leaves at 6:15, and the evening ends around 9:30; availability changes quickly.
Scenic travelers and leaf-season visitors who can book around fast-changing First Class inventory
Fall Foliage rides
October 1–16 departures add weekday 11 a.m. and weekend 10 a.m./3 p.m. options. Arrive one hour early; bikes, boats, and pets are not accepted during October.
Families planning a seasonal trip with age-specific fares and one-hour arrival time
Halloween and Santa trains
Halloween runs October 24 at 11 a.m. Santa trains run November 28–29 and December 5–6 at 1 p.m., with gifts for children 12 and under plus hot chocolate and cookies after the Santa ride.
Upcoming Events
Official schedule information
2026 special-event calendar
Schedule information was checked against the linked official source. Dates, availability, and operating conditions can change. Check the live official calendar ↗
Plan Your Visit
- ArriveArrive 45 minutes before regular June–September rides and one hour before October or special events. Boarding gates close five minutes before departure
- ParkingFree parking is beside the station and Caboose Motel. Accessible spaces are limited, and staff direct visitors to overflow areas when needed
- AccessibilityStation platforms have ramps or level boarding and staff can assist, but the antique passenger cars are not wheelchair accessible. Murder Mystery equipment specifically has no wheelchair space. Call before travel to discuss needs
- Remaining Regular DatesAfter August 12, regular 11 a.m. rides remain August 15, 16, 19, 22, 23, 26, 29, and 30, plus September 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, and 27. Recheck same-day changes before travel
- October Fall DatesFall Foliage rides run October 1–16 on Wednesdays through Sundays only: October 1–4, 7–11, and 14–16. Weekdays depart at 11 a.m.; Saturdays and Sundays at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
- Holiday HorizonHalloween Train runs October 24 at 11 a.m. Santa Trains run November 28–29 and December 5–6 at 1 p.m. No later 2026 train dates were published when checked
- Duration And RouteRegular round trips cover 27 miles in approximately three hours from Titusville through Oil Creek State Park, including a short Rynd Farm stop
- Regular FaresFirst Class is $40 for all ages. Coach is $22 adult, $20 senior age 60+, $16 child age 2–12, and free under age 2. A $50 Coach family special is published through September. Add the operator’s $6 handling fee per advance order
- Event FaresWine Tasting is $45 and Murder Mystery Dinner is $80. Halloween and Santa First Class are $47; Coach is $27 adult, $25 senior, $21 child age 1–12, and free under age 1. Verify prices and availability when calling
- ReservationsThere are no online reservations or e-tickets. Call 814-676-1733 or use the official printable email/fax form. The operator warns that third-party e-ticket sellers are scams
- BoardingBoard at Perry Street Station, 409 South Perry Street. The office and mailing address at 117 North Franklin Street is not a boarding location
- Weather And ChangesThe open-air gondola depends on weather, and the railroad reserves the right to cancel or change rides for circumstances beyond its control. Confirm when severe weather or a specific car matters
- Hike Bike PaddleEligible June–September regular rides offer one-way returns for hikers, bicyclists, and paddlers: $13 adult, $11 child, plus $5 per bike, kayak, or canoe. This is unavailable during special events and all October rides
- RefundsAdvance tickets are nonrefundable. Event reservations and sold-out First Class inventory are especially time-sensitive; confirm the current terms during the official phone booking
Find the Depot
The Trains
The operator’s current rolling-stock pages identify two ALCO S-2 diesel switchers: No. 75, built in 1947 and leased from the New York & Lake Erie, and No. 85, built in 1950 and acquired by the Oil Creek Railway Historical Society in 1999. Railway Post Office car No. 66 was built in 1927; the operator describes it as the only currently operating RPO car in the United States. The public website also lists locomotive 3568 but does not publish enough current text to support an operating-status claim, so this guide does not infer one. A 1930 Pullman, Coach cars, a climate-controlled First Class Wabash lounge, and a weather-dependent open-air gondola form the visitor fleet. Equipment assignments and availability can change.
History
Oil Creek Railway Historical Society formed to preserve the route and interpret Oil Region rail history.
The society acquired 13.5 miles of railroad property on June 6 and ran its inaugural excursion on July 18.
Drake Well and Rynd Farm stations were completed, and rehabilitation began on Perry Street Station.
Petroleum Centre was added as a flag stop along the park route.
The operator recorded its 750,000th passenger on July 28.
See full history
Oil Creek Railway Historical Society formed in 1983 to preserve rail service and tell the Oil Region story. On June 6, 1986, the society acquired 13.5 miles of former railroad, buildings, and related property. Its inaugural public excursion ran July 18, 1986, and the operator records 33,950 passengers in that first season. Seven coaches were purchased and reconditioned during the following winter, while Drake Well and Rynd Farm stations were completed in 1987. Rehabilitation of the early-1890s Perry Street freight station began in November 1987, and Petroleum Centre became a flag stop in 1989. The operator marked its 750,000th passenger on July 28, 2018. Today the 501(c)(3) combines public excursions, preservation, station interpretation, and an operating postal car.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the remaining regular 2026 rides?
Regular 11 a.m. rides remain on selected Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays through September 27. October uses a separate Fall Foliage schedule from October 1–16.
Can I buy tickets online?
No. The railroad does not offer online reservations or e-tickets. Call 814-676-1733 or use its official printable reservation form.
Are third-party e-tickets valid?
The operator explicitly warns that websites claiming to sell OC&T e-tickets are scams. Use only the official phone, email, or fax process.
Where do trains board?
Perry Street Station at 409 South Perry Street, Titusville. Do not go to the 117 North Franklin Street office and mailing address.
How long is the ride?
The regular round trip covers 27 miles and lasts approximately three hours, including a short stop at Rynd Farm.
How early should I arrive?
Arrive 45 minutes before regular June–September rides and one hour before October or special-event trains. The gate closes five minutes before departure.
What do regular tickets cost?
First Class is $40 all ages. Coach is $22 adult, $20 senior 60+, $16 child age 2–12, and free under 2. Advance orders add a $6 handling fee.
Is the train wheelchair accessible?
The platforms have ramps or level boarding, but the antique passenger cars are not wheelchair accessible. Call ahead to discuss staff assistance and the assigned equipment.
Is parking free?
Yes. The operator lists free parking beside the station and motel, limited accessible spaces, and staff-directed overflow.
Can I take a bicycle, kayak, or canoe?
On eligible June–September regular rides, with advance coordination and a $5 equipment fee. This is unavailable during special events and all October rides.
Can I bring a pet?
Pets are not accepted on October Fall Foliage rides. Confirm the current service-animal and pet rules by phone for any other departure rather than assuming.
Which locomotive will pull my train?
The official roster documents Nos. 75 and 85, but assignments can change. Gallery photos document the railroad and do not guarantee a particular locomotive.
What is the Railway Post Office?
An operating postal car where visitors can mail a postcard and receive the railroad’s official USPS handstamp.
Are advance tickets refundable?
No. The operator states that advance reservations are nonrefundable; confirm all event-specific terms when calling.
Why is the Caboose Motel not a nearby card?
It is a relevant operator-owned stay, but no reusable current photo license was found. The listing is being held until owner-approved media can support a complete page.
Sources & Verification
Source-checked August 12, 2026. This free profile has not yet been claimed or confirmed by the operator.
- Official operator homepage for route, station facilities, onboard options, Railway Post Office, and nonprofit ownership
- Official 2026 regular schedule, fares, boarding, reservation method, and one-way trail service
- Official FAQ for timing, parking, accessibility, station hours, boarding, handling fee, and onboard experience
- Official special-event catalog and current public event set
- Official Fall Foliage schedule and operating restrictions
- Official Murder Mystery dates, sold-out status, timing, fare, age, and access terms
- Official Halloween Train details
- Official Santa Train dates and visitor details
- Official rolling-stock roster and Railway Post Office description
- Official organizational and operating history
- Official contact page distinguishing station, office, phone, and email
- Wikimedia Commons rights-cleared Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad media
