Frequently Asked Questions

A: The Cotton Belt Route is a one and a half hour train ride from the Grapevine Depot on Main Street to the historic Fort Worth Stockyards. Check-in begins at 12:20 p.m. and departure is 12:50 p.m. The train arrives at the Stockyards at about 2:30 p.m. (approximate, subject to delays). For the return trip to Grapevine, check-in is at 4:05 p.m. following the cattle drive, leaves promptly at 4:15 p.m. and returns to Grapevine between 6:30 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. (approximate, subject to delays)

A: The Trinity River Train Excursion is a 45 minute excursion that leaves from the Fort Worth Stockyards and goes to south Fort Worth and back. Boarding begins in the Fort Worth Stockyards at approximately 2:45 p.m., departs at approximately 3 p.m. and returns at approximately 3:45 p.m. During the trip, the train crosses both channels of the Trinity River, goes through Trinity Park and stops in the switchyard at 8th Avenue before returning to the Stockyards. PLEASE NOTE: Due to excessive freight train traffic along the Cotton Belt Route, the Grapevine Vintage Railroad's Trinity River Train Excursion originating in the Fort Worth Stockyards will operate on a day-to-day basis.

A: The Tahwahkarro Creek Train Excursion is a one hour excursion that leaves from the Grapevine Depot and returns to the Grapevine Depot. This train ride takes place on Fridays through August 13, 2021. Check-in is at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. returning to the Grapevine Depot at Noon, 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

A: The train operates Friday, Saturday and Sunday between Memorial Day weekend (May) and mid-August as well as most major holidays. Train excursions take place Saturday and Sunday from Mid-February until Memorial Day weekend and mid-August until the weekend before Thanksgiving. The train does not operate in January due to annual maintenance. Special events as well as rail construction or maintenance may alter this schedule, please check the current schedule for availability.

A: 705 S. Main St. Grapevine Texas 76051

A: The Grapevine Vintage Railroad owns and operates two locomotives. The 1953 diesel locomotive, "Vinny," is used for the regularly scheduled weekly service while the 1896 Steam Locomotive “Puffy," is out of service until the completion of the 15-year inspection and repair. We hope to see Puffy back on the tracks soon!

A: The Tahwahkarro Creek Train Excursion or the Trinity River Train Excursion, are short round trip rides and are a great option for infants and young children.

A: Use of cell phone devices and/or wifi is allowed while the train is in operation or motion. You are not required to put a phone in "airplane" mode. However for safety purposes, two-way radio communication devices that can receive or transmit via open radio frequency channels are not permitted on the train. Use of such devices during a train excursion or while the train is in operation may result in removal from the train.

A: In Grapevine, boarding begins 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time. Please be aware that once the train starts moving, it cannot stop for late passengers. All passengers should be on board at least 15 minutes before departure. Ticket sales stop 10 minutes before the train departs.

A: Boarding takes place on the east side of Main Street at the historic train depot. Please listen to instructions from train staff or follow signage on how to properly board the train.

A: FREE parking is available at the following locations:
-705 S. Main St. (Cotton Belt Depot)
-636 S. Main St. (Behind the Grapevine Visitors Information Center)
-814 S. Main St. (Next to Chill Sports Bar & Grill)
-410 W. Dallas Rd. (Next to Lone Star Hi-Railers locomotive)
-307 W. Dallas Rd. (Behind former Grapevine Police Station)

A: Yes, it is an easy walk to all the shopping and restaurants on Main Street in Historic Downtown Grapevine.

A: All passengers will receive an assigned coach and seat in advanced. If you are traveling with a group (with separate reservations) that wish to be seated together, please call us at +1.817.410.3185. All seating is bench style with two (2) passengers per bench. Bench size in First class is 36” wide and 18” deep, in Touring class the bench size is 41” wide and 15 ½” deep.

A: The First Class coaches include air conditioning and Victorian-style, upholstered seating (bench seat size in First class is 36” wide and 18” deep). Touring class coach includes air conditioning and leather padded bench-style seats with floor-to-ceiling windows (bench seat size in Touring class is 41” wide and 15 ½” deep). Economy class coach provides open-air travel during the summer months with vintage wooden-backed, bench-style seating (bench seat size in Economy class is 41” wide and 15 ½” deep). Although there are ceiling fans, the economy coach is not air conditioned. During the winter months, this coach is enclosed with non-opening glass windows. All coaches are heated during the winter months.

A: The Grapevine Vintage Railroad makes every attempt to adhere to the posted schedules. However, the Grapevine Vintage Railroad cannot guarantee arrival times due to sharing rails with TEXRail, Freight Trains and Amtrak. Delays or cancellations may also occur due to emergency track maintenance. The GVRR is considered an excursion train and is essentially a guest on the tracks and other railroads get higher priority with the dispatcher. The Grapevine Vintage Railroad does not offer refunds or compensation due to delays. On rare occasions, delays can be an hour or longer. Refunds will be given due to cancellation.

A: Tickets are non-refundable. If you missed the train, please call +1.817.410.3185 to reschedule for a different day based on availability. Refunds and reschedules are not offered if you miss the return trip from Fort Worth at 4:05 p.m.

A: Military discounts are available to our armed service men and women and their families. Please call +1.817.410.3185 to reserve tickets with a military discount.

A: The ticket office is located inside the Cotton Belt Depot and is open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Between May 29 and August 14 only, the Depot will have Friday hours from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets can also be purchased in advance online at www.gvrr.com up until midnight the night before the trip or by phone at +1.817.410.3185 (between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.). Tickets may only be purchased in person at the station the day of the trip. We cannot hold tickets by phone or online the day of departure.

A: The ticket booth opens at 1 p.m. and tickets are sold until 2:55 p.m. (Approximately 5 minutes before the train departs.)

A: The Stockyard Ticket office is located inside the Stockyards Station near the center of the building by the train tracks. The address is: 140 E. Exchange Ave, Fort Worth 76164.

A: Yes, one-way tickets can be purchased from the Fort Worth Stockyards to Grapevine based on availability. Passengers riding one way are responsible for any return transportation to the Fort Worth Stockyards.

A: You cannot ride from the Stockyards to Grapevine and back in the same day. It is possible to ride from the Stockyards to Grapevine and return to the Stockyards on a different day. Visit www.GrapevineTexasUSA.com for hotel information or call train sales staff at +1.817.410.3185 for more information on Grapevine’s wonderful selection of hotels.

A: Twelve or more people in a party qualify for the group rate only on the 1:20 p.m. excursion. Groups must be booked in advanced and cannot be sold as walk-ups to receive the "Group Rate". Please call +1.817.410.3579 for more information about group rates, or to make a reservation.

A: Yes, gift certificates are available. To purchase, please contact Brian Gentry at +1.817.410.3579 or email at BGentry@grapevinetexasusa.com

A: A variety of food and drinks including bottled water, sodas, popcorn, hot dogs, candy, cookies and chips are available for purchase. All items are $1 and $2 and may be purchased by credit card only. Outside food and drinks are not allowed on the train.

A: Special consideration is given to those with dietary restrictions due to medical circumstances such as diabetes and food allergies. If you have a special diet due to allergies or for a medical condition, you may bring your own food.

A: Yes. However, the train staff will not have a way to keep formula cool or heat it up.

A: No alcoholic beverages are offered on the regular excursions. Special event excursions or private charters may offer alcoholic beverages.

A: Yes, restrooms are located in the First Class coaches. A baby changing station is located in the restroom of Coach 206. Due to periodic maintenance, Coach 206 may not be in service every day. Please note that restrooms on the train are not wheelchair accessible. Wheelchair accessible restrooms are available near the Grapevine Train Depot and in the Stockyards Station.

A: Yes, for the Cotton Belt Route trip from Grapevine to the Fort Worth Stockyards, train staff will assist with loading, storing and unloading of strollers during the ride. For the Trinity River Excursion, strollers are stored in the ticket booth at the Stockyards and picked up at the conclusion of the ride. GVRR is not responsible for any damaged or lost strollers.

A: No, for safety reasons children must ride in a seat or on the lap of a parent.

A: Yes, both the Grapevine and Fort Worth depots have wheelchair lifts. The train can accommodate up to four wheelchairs per trip. The first class coaches and on board restrooms are not wheelchair accessible. When purchasing your tickets online, please answer the questions concerning wheelchairs and service animals.

A: Yes, passengers can move between coaches during the ride to access the restrooms (located in the First Class Coaches) or the snack bar (located in the Touring Class Coaches). Passengers are asked to remain seated at all other times. Please be aware that the end platforms are off limits to passengers at all times and that passengers may not stand in the vestibules (area between coaches) while the train is moving.

A: Only service animals assisting the handicapped are allowed on the train. Accommodations for service animals are limited to the touring coaches. When purchasing tickets please answer the questions concerning service animals.

A: The entire train is non-smoking.

A: Use of cell phone devices and/or wifi is allowed while the train is in operation or motion. You are not required to put a phone in "airplane" mode. However for safety purposes, two-way radio communication devices that can receive or transmit via open radio frequency channels are not permitted on the train. Use of such devices during a train excursion or while the train is in operation may result in removal from the train.

A: For safety reasons, cab rides are not available.

A: Passengers will have approximately one and a half hours to explore the Fort Worth Stockyards.

A: Yes, the Fort Worth Herd Cattle Drive takes place 7 days a week at 4 p.m. weather permitting. The train will begin boarding at 4:05 p.m. following the cattle drive allowing time for passengers returning to Grapevine to watch before the train departs.

A: The train departs promptly at 4:15 p.m. We cannot hold the train for anyone and the train cannot stop once it begins moving. Please make sure you are back on board by 4:05 p.m. right after the cattle drive concludes.

A: Guests can park in any marked public parking lot in the Stockyards area. Parking fees are set by the lot owner or business, and are not controlled by the Grapevine Vintage Railroad. Parking fees vary in price depending on day of the week as well as special events going on in the area, however most lots are typically $10 to $15 for weekend parking. Please note that the Grapevine Vintage Railroad does not offer compensation or refunds for Stockyards parking fees should a train excursion suddenly cancel.

A: The ticket booth opens at 1 p.m. and tickets are sold until 2:55 p.m. (Approximately 5 minutes before the train departs.)

A: Boarding for the Trinity River Train Excursion is approximately 2:45 p.m. The train will depart at approximately 3 p.m. and the 45-minute trip will return at approximately 3:45 p.m. Due to freight traffic and rail construction, delays and/or cancellations may occur without notice.

A: Yes, unless the trip is delayed. The Fort Worth Herd cattle drive takes place daily at 4 p.m.

A: You cannot ride from the Stockyards to Grapevine and back in the same day. It is possible to ride from the Stockyards to Grapevine and return to the Stockyards on a different day. Visit www.GrapevineTexasUSA.com for hotel information or call train sales staff at +1.817.410.3185 for more information on Grapevine’s wonderful selection of hotels.

A: Yes, one-way tickets can be purchased from the Fort Worth Stockyards to Grapevine based on availability. Passengers riding one way are responsible for any return transportation to the Fort Worth Stockyards.

A: Twelve or more people in a party qualify for the group rate only on the 1:20 p.m. excursion. Groups must be booked in advanced and cannot be sold as walk-ups to receive the "Group Rate". Please call +1.817.410.3579 for more information about group rates, or to make a reservation.

A: The caboose is not available for any rentals at this time. Please check back for updates on rental availability.

A: Cab rides are not available at this time.

A: Train souvenirs may be purchased in the Grapevine Depot, open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Between May 29 and August 14 only, the Depot is also open on Fridays between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Grapevine souvenirs may also be purchased at the Visitor Information Center, located in the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Building at 636 S. Main St. during regular business hours.

A: Day Out With Thomas occurs in the Spring for two consecutive weekends, usually in March or April. Please visit www.gvrr.com for more information and pricing.

A: The North Pole Express runs during the Christmas season. Please visit www.gvrr.com and the North Pole Express page for more information and pricing.

A: The Grapevine Vintage Railroad does accept request for donations, however certain qualifications must be met to be considered. Any donation requests must be made at least a minimum of 45 days prior to your event to allow time for processing and consideration by GVRR. Any requests made later than 45 days prior to the event may be rejected. Any organization or group requesting a donation must be a 501(c)3 non-profit entity. You may be requested to provide your tax exempt letter from the state to verify your non-profit status. A group or organization may only make one donation request per calendar year. Groups/organizations based in the Dallas-Forth Worth metroplex area are given first consideration, however other groups/organizations based in other Texas cities may still make a request. All donation requests will be reviewed by Grapevine Vintage Railroad staff and Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau management personnel to determine approval status. A request may be denied for any reason or without cause. If you have more questions about the donation process or would like to make a request, please contact Brian Gentry at BGentry@grapevinetexasusa.com. Due to the volume of requests received, a response may not be given.