When you hear the deep hum of a biodiesel engine or see a blast of smoke from a steam engine, you’ll know your trip up Mt. Washington aboard the historic Cog Railway is about to begin. Knowledgeable and entertaining engineers and brakemen and brakewomen will answer questions as you chug up the Northeast’s highest peak, passing through forests, by wildlife and ravines and through three climate zones until you reach the summit. Included in the thrilling ride is Jacob’s Ladder, the steepest railroad trestle in the world. A museum at the base station and a visitor center at the summit provide history about the 152-year-old railway, the first mountain-climbing cog railway in the world, as well as an interactive weather exhibit. Trains run from late April through November.

Here’s a great way to explore New Hampshire’s beautiful White Mountains region: See it by train! And not just any train: the vintage train cars of the Granite State Railway have been taking visitors on an 80-minute round trip along the banks of the Pemigewasset River for 37 years along tracks that date to the late 1800s. As the train rumbles through the woods, you can see kayakers, swimmers and fishermen enjoying the river in the spring and summer. In the autumn, the region’s well-known foliage season brings spectacular colors. Then Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive after Thanksgiving to meet and greet passengers aboard the Santa Express on weekends through mid-December.