TICKETING AND POLICIES
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The office opens about 30 minutes before the first scheduled run. We recommend buying your tickets online. here. Special event trains sell out fast!
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We will try our best to get you on another train on a space available basis. Please keep in mind that during the holiday season, space is extremely limited due to the populatrity of our events. Please send us an email to make arrangements.
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Yes we do!
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You must print the confirmation sheet that you received via the email address you provided us. On the day of your trip, you bring that confirmation sheet to our ticket window and you will receive the tickets that you have paid for. This is very important that you remember your confirmation sheet. A confirmation sheet is not a train ticket. **NOTE FOR THE HOLIDAYS and SPECIAL EVENTS: If tickets are not redeemed 5 minutes before your departure time, you run the risk of having your seats sold to a waiting list of walk ups. We will try our best to get you on the next train. Please allow yourself plenty of time!
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All tickets are NON-REFUNDABLE after purchase!
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The handling fee is a fee that is collected by the ticketing company that we use to provide our customers the convenience of advance online sales. This fee is not applied to tickets bought at the ticket window.
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At this time we do not offer any such discounts.
THE TRAIN EXPERIENCE AND AMENITIES
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The normal run from West Chester to Glen Mills and back to West Chester takes about 90 minutes round trip unless otherwise advertised.
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Yes all trains makes one 20 minute stop at the historic Glen Mills station before returning to West Chester. During this stop riders may explore the station and our picnic grove along the Chester Creek.
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No, none of our trains have rest rooms in them. There are portable facilities at the Market Street station and at Glen Mills station.
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All seating on our trains is unreserved, meaning no assigned seating. For parties with large groups, the only way we can guarantee seating together is for the group to board together. Our crews will not “save seats” nor will we allow passengers to do so. This is especially true for our busy trains during the holidays! Passengers will be seated by our train crew as they board.
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We can make accommodations on our trains but we do have some restrictions. The doorways on our vintage equipment are typically not wide enough to accommodate power chairs, but may be able to accommodate a portable wheelchair. We do not have a wheelchair lift or high level platforms. Wheelchairs are typically lifted by our crew into our baggage car and lead through the train to their seats. Please ask your ticket agent for further assistance.
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We only allow service animals on our trains. In all other cases, please leave Fido at home!
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Riders are encouraged to use carriers instead of strollers. If a stroller is absolutely necessary, the stroller will be stowed by the Conductor.
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At this time we are not offering a snack bar on board.
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Yes you may bring food on the train. We ask that you please be courteous of our train crew and others and please do not leave trash or food on the train. Our all volunteer crew does not appreciate cleaning up messes!
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Our coaches were built between 1931 to 1932 for the Reading Railroad. They were redone with new seats, floors and ceilings in the mid 1960s. They were originally painted Blue and Cream, and were given the term Blueliners.
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None of our coaches have air conditioning but they all have windows that open.
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Yes our coaches have heat in them during the cold months. Please be advised that even with heaters, it may still be slightly on the cooler side inside our coaches. Dress for the weather outside!
TRIP PLANNING AND STATION LOGISTICS
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ALL trains board at Market Street station in West Chester. The address for GPS navigation is:
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No. We only operate on the days listed on our calendar shown HERE.
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All joking aside, this funny question does come up! Consistent with most rail travel, trains operate on a fixed timetable, so the 2PM train really does leave the station at 2PM! Passengers are encouraged to arrive at least 15 prior to departure.
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There is ample parking available at Market Street station free of charge.
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Please allow yourself at least 15 minutes before your train’s scheduled departure. West Chester Railroad does its best to adhere promptly to our schedule. If you miss your scheduled train, we will try our best to get you to board the next train if seating is available.
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Due to limited and hazardous parking at Glen Mills Station, ALL trains will originate at West Chester Station ONLY.
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In many cases yes. We run our trains rain, shine or snow. Only in certain cases where operating conditions could be hazardous do we cancel trips.
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Yes! Our dining car may be rented during scheduled runs (some restrictions apply). Our whole train can also be rented for an unscheduled charter trip.
More information. -
We always need volunteers! Please click here to find out more.