FAQ
If you don’t see your question here, please feel free to call us at 814-676-1733 and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
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What is the difference between the First Class and Coach?
The First Class car more comfortable seats – more cushioning, cloth covered and can tilt slightly for more comfort. They are more like individual seats and have more legroom. There is also has air conditioning if needed. You are also guaranteed a Tour Guide in First Class; in coach it depends on how many volunteers e have that day. First Class ticket holders enjoy preferred boarding, provided you arrive before general boarding begins. The Coach seats are vinyl-covered, two people per seat, similar to school bus seats. If we don’t have enough volunteers for Tour Guides in each car, passengers will hear the history of the valley via the overhead PA system. Both are enclosed cars – we have just one Open Gondola car, but we do not sell tickets for this car. Anyone on the train is welcome to go out in the open car once the OK is given to ‘walk about.’ Please note: Both the Open Gondola car and First Class car are subject to availability.
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Do I need to make advance reservations and how far in advance?
Excluding our Murder Mystery Dinners, Wine Tastings and Brew Choo rides, which require advance reservations, you can purchase your tickets the day of provided seating is still available. Special Events sell out quickly so early reservations are strongly encouraged. Our October Fall Foliage Rides also sell out very quickly and early, so calling two to 3 months in advance is highly recommended.
Please be aware that seating may not always be available to purchase the day of a regular ride. To guarantee seating, it is recommended to purchase tickets in advance. Advanced reservations can be made by calling the office, Monday-Friday 9 am to 4 pm (May-October), and 9 am to 3 pm during the off season (November-April) at 814-676-1733.
Please note: We do not have e-tickets. Anyone trying to sell you e-tickets for one of our excursions is attempting to scam you.
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Can I cancel my reservation and get a refund, or transfer to a different date?
We have a strict ‘no refund’ policy. Your tickets can, however, be transferred to a different date within 1 year from the original ticket date, depending on availability for that date. Ticket Holders need to call 814-676-1733 to schedule the transfer. If you do not contact us within 48 hours prior to departure, your reservation will be counted as a ‘no-show’ and will not be eligible for transfer to a future date. Handling fees are non-refundable.
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Can I purchase Gift Certificates?
Yes, Gift Certificate purchases can be made by calling our office, Monday-Friday 9 am to 4 pm (May-October), or 9 am to 3 pm during the off-season (November-April) at 814-676-1733. Gift certificates can be purchased in any dollar amount and are available for both the train rides and for overnight stays at The Caboose Motel.
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Where do I board and where does the train go?
Boarding is at our main station, Perry Street Station, which has our Museum, Gift Shop and Concession area, located at 409 S Perry Street, Titusville, PA 16354. Note: the train does not depart from Oil City.
More info and maps on our Find Us page. Our excursions take you through Oil Creek State Park to our Rynd Farm Station (southernmost point of the park) and back. Click here for maps of their park on their website. Arrangements can be made to board at Drake Well or Petroleum Centre for one-way trips. Call for details.
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What are the ride times and prices? What times does the 11 am train leave? How long is the ride?
Our regular schedule and pricing can be found by visiting the Schedule and Ticket Info page. Special Events info can be found on the Special Events and Tours page. There is a $4 handling fee per order.
Like other forms of transportation, trains operate on a fixed timetable, so the 11 am train does leave the station promptly at 11 am; the 1 pm trains leave promptly at 1 pm, etc. Boarding gates will close five minutes before train departures, so we ask that you try to arrive at least 45 minutes prior to departure for regular rides, and 1 hour prior for Special Events to allow time to park and get inside the station for boarding.
Our train rides are 3-hour round-trip excursions, including a short stop at our halfway point, Rynd Farm Station, where ice cream novelties are available for most rides June through October.
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What are the hours at Perry Street Station?
Our Perry Street Station is open only on days our train is running. The hours vary depending on the schedule, but normally it is open by 9 am for rides that depart at 11 am, by 10 am for the 1 pm and by 8 am for the 10 am rides in October. Call our office at 814-676-1733 for more information.
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Do you offer discounts for groups?
We are pleased to offer discounted rates for groups of 20 or more people for our regular rides. For our regular rides, First Class group rate is $35 per person (all ages), and Coach seating group rates are $16 (adults and seniors), and $11 (kids ages 2-12).
There are no group rates for our SpecialEvents. Any bus or tour group make a reservation for any Special Event or First Class for the October Fall Foliage rides, please note there will be a 30% nonrefundable down payment required at the time the reservation is made.
Final count and payment for all group reservations must be made at least 4 weeks prior to departure and payment needs to be made in one lump sum (we cannot accept, for instance, 20 people paying individually just to qualify for the group rate). Call our office at 814-676-1733 for more details.
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Can we rent a car, the entire train or Perry Street Station?
Depending on the event, we can provide you with a cost quote for a single car or an entire train, as well as Perry Street Station rentals. Please call our office at 814-676-1733, and we will be happy to furnish a quote. Car rentals are not available for Special Event or in October, and depend on availability.
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Is it true I can ride one way and bring my bike/canoe/kayak on the train?
Yes, for an additional $5 per bike, bike trailer (for the little ones), canoe or kayak you can bring them aboard and ride one way, and then hike, bike, canoe or kayak back to your vehicle. One way tickets are $13/adults and $11/kids (ages 2-12). Please contact the Oil Creek State Park for information regarding creek conditions and info on their paved hike/bike trail. Click here for more info. You can view a map of their park by visiting their website. Not permitted during Special Events or October due to space limitations.
Please Note: Petroleum Centre bridge in Oil Creek State Park is now open to pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
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Are your cars enclosed? Is there an open car on the train?
Our First Class car and Coach cars are all enclosed. We do have an open air gondola car. Weather permitting, passengers are welcome to spend time there once the conductor has given the ‘OKAY’ to walk about the train. Please be careful when moving in between cars, as the cars can be subject to sudden jerks. All children must be accompanied by an adult when moving through the train. Please Note: Open Air and First Class cars subject to availability.
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Are seats on the train reserved?
No, specific seats are not reserved on the train, seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. If you have a group, plan to arrive at least one hour prior to departure to board together if you would like to sit together, or at least near each other.
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Are there restrooms on the train?
Yes, cars on the train have a restroom. There are also restrooms at Perry Street Station and Rynd Farm Station.
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How fast does the train travel?
The train travels at about 12 mph.
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Food and beverages?
Our Railway Post Office car has snacks and beverages, including popcorn, candy, chips, pop, water, etc. There is a concession area at Perry Street Station. Ice cream novelties and soft drinks are available at our Rynd Farm Station (the halfway point, open June through October only). Please note: During Special Event rides and in October, concessions on the train will go quickly as we typically have 400 to 500 passengers and we simply do not have the space to hold enough food on the train for that many people. You are welcome to bring your own – see below.
You can bring your own snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. Anything that is going to take up space and could cause any safety issues, such as hard-sided coolers, picnic baskets and large bags will not be permitted onboard. No glass bottles/containers. All carry-on items must be small enough to stay on your lap. You can also order box lunches at least 2 weeks in advance to eat on the train. Call us at 814-676-1733 for more details.
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Are dogs permitted on the train?
We do allow dogs on the train in Coach for a $5.00 fee. An ‘On-Train Pet Policy’ waiver must be signed, and someone must stay with the dog at your seat; you cannot walk about the train with your dog. Pets are not permitted for any of our Special Events or in October due to space limitations. Per Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service animals are not considered pets and are permitted in all areas where customers are allowed without a fee. Service animals are animals trained to perform a specific task for the benefit of a person with a disability.
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Can I move about the train?
Yes, once the conductor gives the ok, passengers are welcome to move from car to car. Please be careful when moving in between cars, as the cars can be subject to sudden jerks. All children must be accompanied by an adult when moving through the train. We invite you to check out our Open Gondola car for a great view of the valley. And be sure to visit our Railway Post Office car to mail a postcard right from the train or to grab something to eat or drink.
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Can I smoke on the train?
Smoking is not permitted on any train ride or in any of our buildings at any time. We ask that you smoke at least 20 feet from our buildings and platforms.
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Can I bring my child's stroller, car seat or backpack carrier??
Strollers, car seats and child backpack carriers are not permitted to be in use on the train as they can pose a safety concern. During the ride, strollers and carriers can be stored for your use at the halfway point, Rynd Farm, if needed.
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Is there free parking? Is there ADA parking?
Yes parking is free in our parking lot, located right next to the Perry Street Station and the Caboose Motel. There are a limited number handicap parking spots, so arrive early and have your placard visible.
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Are you handicap accessible?
We are handicap accessible by reservation. All of our stations have floor-level boarding platforms and wheelchair ramps. As our passenger cars are vintage and the doors from car to car are narrow, wheelchair/scooter seating is limited to the Railway Post Office Car, with one attendant. Doors to that car are 33″ wide. Please note: due to limited space on the RPO car, only one attendant per wheelchair/scooter will be permitted and advanced reservations are required.
Murder Mystery Dinners and some Special Events are not wheelchair accessible. Restrooms on the train are not handicap accessible, however they are at Perry Street Station and Rynd Farm Station.
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Are your cars heated? Do they have air conditioning?
Limited heat is now available on the train and in our Perry Street Station. However, we always recommend dressing for the weather. Air conditioning is available on the First Class car only.
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Do you have a picnic area nearby?
There is no picnic area near our Perry Street Station. However, there are picnic tables near Drake Well Museum, which is only about 5 minutes away and at Burgess Park about 4 minutes away. Picnic areas can also be found in various sections of Oil Creek State Park.
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What type of footwear is appropriate?
We suggest wearing shoes that are not open-toed. Even if you think those sandals or flip-flops are super cute, they are not appropriate for wearing on a train.
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Is the railroad a nonprofit?
The Oil Creek Railway Historical Society, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization and invites you to participate as a member. Memberships provide funding for maintenance programs to continue with the updating of equipment and promotion of programs to inform and educate the public on railroading history, economic development of rail freight distribution and its role in the petroleum industry. Click Volunteer Form and Social Member Form to download pdf for more information.