PARRISH TRAIN FIELD GUIDE
Front-Row Steam: 13 Miles from Parrish to Willow on the Willow Express
A 1.5-hour, rain-or-shine round-trip operated by the Florida Railroad Museum between Parrish and Willow, offering open-air and air-conditioned cars and optional Cab Ride upgrades.
Front-Row Steam: 13 Miles from Parrish to Willow on the Willow Express.
Board the Willow Express—the Florida Railroad Museum’s rolling exhibit—and travel a scenic 13-mile round trip from Parrish to Willow, FL. The museum-run excursion runs rain-or-shine and gives riders the choice of open-air cars or air-conditioned coaches; for a rare perspective you can upgrade to a Cab Ride and sit alongside the locomotive engineer.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
A compact, scenic 13-mile round trip
The Willow Express covers roughly 13 miles round trip between Parrish and Willow, a route timed to last about 1.5 hours—long enough for a relaxed ride and short enough to fit into an afternoon outing.
Open-air cars or air-conditioned coaches
Choose exposed, breezy coach cars for an immersive outdoor ride or opt for air-conditioned seating when you prefer climate control—the museum offers both types of accommodations on the excursion.
Cab Ride upgrade puts you beside the Engineer
For an unforgettable vantage, upgrade to a Cab Ride ticket and sit alongside the locomotive engineer for the run between Parrish and Willow.
What the day feels like
What the Ride Feels Like
The excursion unfolds as a leisurely out-and-back: passengers board in Parrish, settle into open-air or air-conditioned cars, and follow a 13-mile course to Willow and back. The run lasts approximately one hour and thirty minutes and operates rain-or-shine, making for a concise, accessible taste of historic rail travel.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this excursion suits best.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Expect a roughly 1.5-hour excursion on the museum’s scheduled runs; the service operates rain-or-shine.
Dress for sun or rain depending on the forecast and choose open-air or air-conditioned seating when booking; bring anything you need for a short, approximately 90-minute ride.
Boarding and departures take place at the museum’s Parrish location; verify your ticket type—standard coach or Cab Ride upgrade—before arrival.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Willow Express excursion?
The trip lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
What is the route for the Willow Express?
It is a 13-mile round trip running between Parrish and Willow, FL.
Where do I meet for departure?
The meeting location is 12210 83rd St East, Parrish, FL.
Does the train run in poor weather?
Yes—the Willow Express operates rain-or-shine.
What seating options are available?
Passengers can choose open-air train cars or air-conditioned coaches; a Cab Ride upgrade places you beside the locomotive engineer.
Who operates the Willow Express?
The excursion is operated by the Florida Railroad Museum.