With the holidays here, it’s the perfect time to find a great gift for the train lover in your life!
Fortunately for you, we know a thing or two about giving gifts to railfans. Our basement is packed with HO scale model trains, and our Christmas tree is currently surrounded by packages that may or may not include a variety of train-related gifts.
We have all the knowledge you need.
For inspiration, check out our list of the best gifts for train lovers—and get your holiday shopping done today!
Note: We have not been paid for any of the products, companies, or manufacturers mentioned below. Anything we’ve listed is completely of our own accord!
Table of Contents
Train-Themed Magazines
New Train Photography Gear
Train-Themed Board Games And Puzzles
Train-Themed Books
Railroad Memorabilia
Train-Themed Art
Gifts From The Station Inn
The Best Gifts For Train Lovers: 27 Ideas They’ll Appreciate
Before getting started, consider this:
Does the train lover in your life appreciate experiences or things?
If they prefer experiences, you may want to consider something like a trip to The Station Inn, where they can watch 50 trains pass by every single day, or a train-themed board game or puzzle.
And if they appreciate things, pay close attention to our memorabilia and art sections!
Train-Themed Magazines
The railroad community has a ton of great magazines for railfans. From those who love model trains to people who venture outdoors to capture the perfect train photograph, you’ll find the ideal subscription for your loved one!
To get started, here are some great publications from Trains.com:
1. A Subscription to Trains
Trains is an internationally read magazine that was first started in 1940, and it’s built a reputation for engaging articles and eye-catching photos. Online, you’ll find a wide library of videos that’ll keep your railfan entertained for hours on end as they dive deep into specialized railroad topics.
Subscription Pricing: Starting at $39.95/year
Subscription: Subscribe Here
2. A Subscription to Classic Toy Trains
Classic Toy Trains is the go-to subscription for train fans of all ages. Read stories about brands like Lionel, American Flyer, Marx, and others, while getting access to detailed product reviews and Q&A columns from industry experts.
Subscription Pricing: Starting at $37.95/year
Subscription: Subscribe Here
3. A Subscription to Classic Trains
Classic Trains is one of the premier resources for rare railroad photography from previous generations—which are accompanied by articles of intriguing untold stories from railroad history.
Subscription Pricing: Starting at $26.95/year
Subscription: Subscribe Here
4. A Subscription to Model Railroader
Model Railroader has been the industry-leading model train magazine since it first launched all the way back in 1934. Each issue is packed with step-by-step modeling and construction tips; photo tours of model train layouts; detailed product reviews; and much, much more.
Subscription Pricing: Starting at $39.95/year
Subscription: Subscribe Here
5. A Subscription to Garden Railways
While Garden Railways has become a fully online publication dedicated to large-scale trains in outside gardens, you can still access nearly 40 years of digitally archived issues by becoming a subscriber. Dig deep into Garden Railways for product reviews, plant indexes, and much more.
Subscription Pricing: See site for details.
Subscription: See site for details.
For even more ideas, check out some of our favorite options from White River Productions:
6. A Subscription to Railfan & Railroad
Railfan & Railroad packs the excitement of being trackside right into a magazine. Tap into the latest industry news, captivating expert columns, and striking color photography.
Subscription Pricing: Starting at $24.00/year
Subscription: Subscribe Here
7. A Subscription to Railroad Model Craftsman
Railroad Model Craftsman isn’t just a magazine; it’s an institution. After more than 90 years in circulation, this popular publication offers news, product reviews, construction tips, and more!
Subscription Pricing: Starting at $24.00/year
Subscription: Subscribe Here
New Train Photography Gear
If you have a professional train photographer in your life, you should ask them if there is anything special they’ve been eyeing up to add to their gear before you spend money.
But if you have a novice photographer in your life, or someone who’s just begun dabbling in photographing trains, here are a few products they’ll adore:
8. Camera Phone Tripod
Anyone who’s ever photographed trains knows there can be a lot of waiting in between shots—and that’s when a tripod can become especially useful. A tripod allows you to set your camera phone in just the right position for catching countless passing trains, and you don’t need to worry about shaky hands or losing the ideal perspective.
Our Pick: JOBY Compact Action Kit
Price: $89.95
Buy Now: JOBY
9. Camera Phone Gimbal
If you’re unfamiliar with the word, a gimbal is simply a camera stabilizer. Basically, a gimbal uses a collection of motors and sensors to stabilize the camera regardless of the operator’s movement, allowing them to capture steady camera footage.
Our Pick: Hohem iSteady M6 Smartphone Gimbal
Price: $159
Buy Now: Hohem
10. Video Drone
Video drones are a train photographer’s secret weapon. Our pal Craig Hensley is a renowned train photographer and videographer, and he frequently uses drones to capture that unique bird’s eye view of passing trains. As an example, just check out this reel of his visit to The Station Inn:
Give your favorite railfan that same excitement with a video drone of their own! Yes, these can be expensive. And, yes, you often need permission to fly in certain areas. And while we can’t give you permission to film anywhere you’d like, we can direct you toward an affordable starting option:
Our Pick: DJI Mini 3
Price: $419
Buy Now: DJI
Train-Themed Board Games And Puzzles
Bring the thrill of trains right into your home! These board games and puzzles will provide hours of train-full fun.
11. Ticket to Ride
Embark on an exciting cross-country adventure with Ticket to Ride, the award-winning board game that combines strategy, competition, and endless fun! Build your train routes across iconic cities, collect cards to claim your tracks, and outsmart opponents to complete your destinations. Perfect for players of all ages, it’s easy to learn, quick to play, and endlessly replayable—making every game night unforgettable!
Price: $54.99
Where to Get It: Asmodee
12. Switch & Signal
Get a taste of the railroad life in this cooperative, family-friend game! You and your friends will work to control multiple trains while coordinating their schedules, testing your collective abilities as conductors.
Price: $33.10
Where to Get It: Zatu Games
13. Village Rails
Develop your railroads through quiet English countrysides—and learn how to accommodate the needs and requests of the grumpy locals! This fun, engaging game will give you a small taste of the business end of the railroading world, as you’ll be responsible for making strategic decisions against your “company’s” limited budget.
Price: $19.37
Where to Get It: Amazon
14. Custom Jigsaw Puzzles
If you have a train photographer in your life, turn their favorite photos into interactive entertainment by transforming them into custom puzzles! You can honor their eye for art while creating an unforgettable family memory as you all assemble their puzzle.
Price: Starting at $29.99
Where to Get It: PuzzleYOU
Train-Themed Books
Have a train lover who also loves books? Consider these railfan favorites:
15. Conrail And Its Predecessors – Brian Solomon
Conrail rose from the bankrupt ashes of multiple failing railroad companies to become one of the biggest organizations in America. Take a journey on Conrail’s remarkable history!
Price: $14.00
Where to Get It: Trains.com
16. The Men Who Loved Trains: The Story of Men Who Battled Greed to Save An Ailing Industry – Rush Loving Jr.
This award-winning book details the business dealings and journeys of some of America’s most legendary moguls in the railroad industry—including individuals from the 2000s.
Price: $28.93
Where to Get It: AbeBooks
17. Horseshoe Curve: Sabotage And Subversion In the Railroad City – Dennis P. McIlnay
Most railfans know about the famous Horseshoe Curve, but few know its connections to World War II espionage. This is truly a unique gift idea for train lovers!
Price: $9.70+
Where to Get It: AbeBooks
18. Trains: Photography of the Golden Age of Railroading – Lucius Beebe & Charles Clegg
This wonderful book offers a beautiful collection of historic train photographs that capture the golden age of American railroads.
Price: $36.99
Where to Get It: Trains.com
19. Around Cresson and the Alleghenies – Anne Frances Pulling
The Allegheny Mountains and railroad history go hand-in-hand, leading to an era of industrial prosperity. Dig deep into the region’s rich history with more than 200 rare images from another time.
Price: $18.74
Where to Get It: Arcadia Publishing
20. Train: The Definitive Visual History – DK
Enjoy a visually stunning book featuring the evolution of trains, from early steam locomotives to modern high-speed trains.
Price: $40.00
Where to Get It: RiverRun Bookstore
Railroad Memorabilia
Railroad memorabilia offers a tangible connection to the history and culture of railroading. Whether you’re shopping for a collector, a history buff, or someone who loves vintage charm, these items are timeless and meaningful gifts. Here are some ideas to consider:
21. Vintage Railroad Signs
These signs can include authentic or reproduction railroad signs that once adorned train stations, depots, or railcars. Common signs include “Stop, Look, and Listen,” station names, and directional plaques.
Where to Find Them: Train World
22. Railroad Lanterns
Consider gifting lanterns used by railroad workers to signal trains or light their way at night. Some are vintage kerosene lanterns, while others are battery-powered replicas. Regardless, they’re sure to surprise and delight the train lover in your life!
Where to Find Them: Vermont Lanterns
23. Historic Railroad Documents and Tickets
Whether you find old train tickets, timetables, maps, or even employee rulebooks from famous railroads, these paper artifacts offer a fascinating glimpse into the everyday operations of railroads in bygone eras. They’re perfect for collectors who enjoy preserving pieces of history.
Where to Find Them: Collectors Weekly
Train-Themed Art
The train world is filled with incredible photographers, painters, and other artists committed to capturing the magic we’ve all come to love in railroading.
That’s part of the reason why we launched our Artist-In-Residence program, which invites artists to connect with our area, the railroad, and the rich and diverse history and cultures of Blair, Cambria, and Huntingdon Counties.
24. Photography From Michael Froio
Michael Froio is our first artist-in-residence, and he has a knack for capturing stunning, emotional portraits of trains, railways, and infrastructure. Just take a look at this photo of the Summit of the Alleghenies:
An example of Michael Froio’s breathtaking photography.
You can order prints directly from Michael Froio through his website, making them great gifts for train lovers.
Gifts From The Station Inn
We’re admittedly a little biased, but we believe some of the best gifts for train lovers are available right here at The Station Inn. Some ideas to consider:
25. Book A Stay At The Station Inn
If you’re unfamiliar with our bed and breakfast, here’s what you should know: We’re a railroad-themed inn tucked away inside Cresson, PA, right along the busy Norfolk Southern railroad that traverses the famous Horseshoe Curve—which is only a few miles away.
The Station Inn has become a hotspot for railfans throughout the country, and these enthusiasts congregate to chat about trains, explore the region’s railroad attractions, and get a front-row seat to the four lines that run in front of our front porch.
With so much activity on the railway and such close proximity to the trains, our location is an especially wonderful getaway for professional and amateur train photographers looking for their next great adventure.
Learn more about The Station Inn or use the button below to make a reservation:
Be warned! Once your loved one stays here, they may want to come back over and over and over again. Here’s a snippet of a recent review:
“In some ways it is hard to believe I just finished my 35th visit to the Station Inn since 1998; but ever since that first visit in July of 1998, I have been captivated. With the trains, the great breakfasts, railroad books and memorabilia, lots of history, and attractions […] there is so much to do. Meeting up with friends who have become a family is an added bonus. What I felt from one of those first visits is still true today: The Station Inn is a great place for R & R – rest and relaxation, railfanning and railroading.”
26. The Station Inn Gift Certificate
If you’re not quite ready to book a stay at The Station Inn on someone’s behalf, help gift them an unforgettable vacation with a gift certificate to The Station Inn!
Available in three different monetary values, The Station Inn gift certificate can be used for making a reservation or in our gift shop (which we’ll discuss in a moment).
Grab your gift certificate below!
To give you an idea of the value of staying at The Station Inn, here’s how one guest summarized their stay:
“This was our first time staying at the Station Inn. If you love to watch trains and are a train buff, then this is the place for you! Sitting right across from the three tracks mainline of the Norfolk Southern Railroad you have plenty of action all the time.”
27. The Station Inn Swag
In case you haven’t picked up on it yet, we have plenty of guests who return year after year simply because they love being here. If you have someone who visits The Station Inn on a regular basis, check out our online store!
We have everything a fan of the Station Inn could want: shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, and more! Visit our online shop to find the best gifts for train lovers:
