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Step aboard a restored 1930s train at South Woodstown Station for exclusive rail access to Bil‑Dol Farm. Pick sunflowers, ride a tractor wagon, and get lost in a patriotic corn maze—an ideal short fall day trip for families and photographers.
Step aboard a restored 1930s train at South Woodstown Station for exclusive rail access to Bil‑Dol Farm. Pick sunflowers, ride a tractor wagon, and get lost in a patriotic corn maze—an ideal short fall day trip for families and photographers.
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Operated by Woodstown Central Railroad · Salem, New Jersey
On crisp autumn weekends in Salem County, New Jersey, the U‑Pick & Maze Train: A Bil‑Dol Farm Experience turns a short trip into a full-sensory fall day. Departing from South Woodstown Station at 650 Alloway-Woodstown Road, guests board a restored 1930s excursion train for a roughly 20‑minute ride through forests, pasture, and working farmland before arriving at Penton Station, a historic whistle stop reopened for this event. From there, Bil‑Dol Farm (82 Dolbow Rd, Salem, NJ 08079, USA) unfolds with sunflower rows, cattle pastures, and a patriotic corn maze laid out across tilled fields.
The program blends slow-rolling rail nostalgia with hands‑on farm time. The train provides a narrated regional history and railroad anecdotes while you watch fields slide past the car windows; at Penton Station the farm crew greets riders and divides groups for a tractor-pulled wagon tour around barns, flower beds, and livestock. Sunflower U‑Pick is the heart of the visit: guests receive a Bil‑Dol Farm flower cup and pruning shears and are escorted into fields where bright, stalky blooms stand above the tilled earth. Picking is limited to the cup size, keeping the experience family-friendly and sustainable.
A custom patriotic corn maze occupies about 45 minutes for most visitors. It’s broad enough for kids to run and puzzle through yet intimate when mist and low sun create long shadows across the stalks. Expect roughly two hours on the farm, then a relaxed return trip back to South Woodstown Station; total experience time is about 2 hours and 45 minutes. The event runs on select dates in September, so tickets sell quickly.
Practical notes: the excursion uses historic railcars that do not meet modern ADA accessibility standards; guests should be able to board and disembark independently or with assistance from their party. Restrooms are available onboard and at the station; the train horn sounds at road crossings as required. Weather can shift the farm activities—fields can be muddy after rain—so dress in layers and wear sturdy shoes.
Why book it? Few experiences pair exclusive rail access with active farm time: the restored 1930s equipment, the reopened Penton whistle stop, and Bil‑Dol’s working farm operations create a short, vivid immersion into South Jersey agriculture. Families, photographers, and anyone curious about local food and railroad history will find this a charming, hands-on way to spend a fall afternoon.
Plan to arrive thirty minutes before departure to check in at the ticket window and browse the Woodstown Central Railroad gift shop; free on-site parking is available. Tickets are sold as a combined rail-and-farm experience and are nonrefundable, so book early. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and a small backpack for picked flowers; consider ear protection for young children during required crossing whistles.
easy.
2–3 hours.
Light walking on uneven farm terrain; suitable for families and most fitness levels
Yes. All passengers, including toddlers, require a ticket; children’s fares are separated into age groups.
Due to historic railcars and farm terrain, accessibility is limited; guests requiring assistance should contact Woodstown Central Railroad or Bil‑Dol Farm before booking.
Yes—restrooms are on the train and a luxury restroom trailer is located at South Woodstown Station.
No. Access to Bil‑Dol Farm for this experience is by train only; personal vehicle access to the farm is not available during the event.
A round-trip train ride, narrated rail history, exclusive Penton Station drop-off, tractor-pulled wagon tour, sunflower U‑Pick (cup-sized), and corn maze access are included.
Trains generally operate in varied weather but severe conditions can cause cancellations; the operator will notify ticket holders by email and social channels.
Penton Station is a historic whistle stop reopened for this limited experience, paired with restored 1930s-era Woodstown Central Railroad equipment.
Flower picking is limited to cup size to reduce impact on the crop; guests are asked to stay on designated paths to protect fields and livestock areas.
Woodstown Central Railroad preserves and operates historic passenger excursions in Woodstown, New Jersey, offering seasonal and private train experiences that highlight Southern New Jersey scenery and rail heritage. Founded and maintained by a dedicated preservation team, the operation runs restored vintage equipment including the 1927 Pennsylvania Railroad Table Car "Mineral Spring" and restored 1930s passenger cars for special events. The railroad offers a variety of scheduled excursions, from short family-friendly rides—such as the Woodstown Fall Fest excursion and the Princess‑Superhero Special—to longer scenic trips like the two‑hour Scenic Rambler and 32-mile roundtrip journeys. Seasonal offerings include the Autumn Leaf Pumpkin Train with pumpkin picking at Fenwick Grove, the Salem Ghost Train with storyteller-led historic tours, and holiday and event-specific runs like the Independence Day Express and Father's Day Express. Private rentals are available for up to 50 guests aboard the Mineral Spring table car, making the railroad a unique venue for birthdays, corporate outings, and group events. Each excursion departs from Woodstown or South Woodstown stations and traverses landmarks such as the Oldmans Creek Trestle and Memorial Lake, offering repeated opportunities for photography and nature viewing. Safety protocols and volunteer-led operations emphasize preservation, education, and community engagement. Ticketed excursions are scheduled seasonally; advance reservations are recommended due to limited seating in first class, deluxe, table car, coach, caboose, and open-air seating options. Woodstown Central Railroad combines authentic historic railcars, curated storytelling, and scenic Southern New Jersey routes to deliver memorable rides for families, history enthusiasts, and railfans. Tickets sell quickly.
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