Most people probably don’t realize the first steam powered, scheduled passenger train to run in America was in South Carolina. In the mid 1830s, a rail line from Charleston ran to Hamburg (near Augusta), Columbia and Camden. The new form of transportation was so popular that trains and railroads sprang up all over the state, some of them with tracks as short as 10 miles.

Today, with the exception of Amtrak, there's only one historic passenger train in the Palmetto State, at the South Carolina Railroad Museum in Winnsboro.
Facebook/South Carolina Railroad Museum
Here, you can take the only scenic train ride available in the whole state (except for Amtrak).
Facebook/South Carolina Railroad Museum
The train runs on five miles of historic track, pulled by a diesel locomotive through the countryside of this small town, ending up at the old Anderson Quarry.
Facebook/South Carolina Railroad Museum
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Ride in the open air for some wind on your face, or sit in the comfort of one of the passenger cars, either way the ride is adventurous and fun.
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The Museum has some special events you'll love, like their Valentine's Dinner Train and their BBQ Train. The most popular train rides are the ones with Santa, the rides to the pumpkin patch and the Easter train.
On rare occasions, the museum will feature "guest locomotives," providing opportunities for steam trains to run for a weekend.
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The last working train in the state (except Amtrak) is called the Rockton, Rion & Western, and you'll want to put this adventure on your bucket list.
Facebook/South Carolina Railroad Museum

Have you ridden the Rockton, Rion & Western at the South Carolina Railroad Museum? We’d love to hear about your experience in our comments. For more information on the train, upcoming events and to purchase tickets see their official website.

For more outdoor adventure in the Palmetto State, head to this thrilling swinging bridge canopy walk.

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