Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad — Attraction in Abilene

Unfortunately, this attraction is run like a train wreck. Pun intended. Because we live so far away, we called a couple days ahead to make sure we would get tickets on the day we planned to come. They said to make sure to come by 1pm, because they have been known to sell out. They assured us that they do not sell tickets until one hour before each excursion. So, we got up earlier than usual and hit the road. Our van full of children were so excited! We pull up before 1 pm and are met with signs that the 2pm ride is sold out! We thought it had to have been left from the day before, because of what we were told. No, it wasn't. They told us that they already sold all the tickets to people who were waiting that morning in the rain. Look, I get it. I'm a mom, too. It would stink to wait like that, but would a store open early on Black Friday because people are waiting the in the icy rain or snow? I can tell you from experience: absolutely not! If you say you open at 1, you open at 1! How do I answer my children who are absolutely crushed and asking over and over, "Mommy, why did they lie to us?" I can't. Dishonesty is never excusable. What was most disconcerting, though, was the lack of empathy or any kind of resolution. They could have easily offered a mini excursion for all of us that "missed the train" when the 2 pm train got back. They could have let us cash in our Sunflower Summer tickets for a later date. If those were impossible, they could have offered a steep discount for a later date. On a final note, I hope they realize the importance of online reservations in this day and age. This would have prevented all of this! I really hope they do better next year. What a waste of time and money that we will...

The Abliene & Smoky Valley Railroad has been on my wish list for quite a few years - and I finally took a solo-mini-vacay (in early July) and checked quite a few things off my list for this area! I REALLY enjoyed the ride - the volunteers would visit with the guests in the train cars and we had a couple great conversations. They also named the towns/states where people called home: and that made each of us know a little bit about each other during our journey. Some were local. Not everyone was local. Some people lived more then 900miles away and was "just passing through - and saw there was a train to ride!" yay!

The train ambled down the track towards Enterprise as the history of the train, train cars, Abilene, Enterprise, and surrounding area - for me, it was like a traveling history museum (with A/C!) I enjoyed it, (the history, the friendliness, RIDING IN A TRAIN!!, A/C, the sights, seeing the different crops growing, and the gift shop/flour mill in Enterprise!)) ((I know quite a few of my age range would without a doubt, be stuck to their phones their entire time -- but I could count that quite a few of my close friends (Go Boomers!) would certainly enjoy this traveling museum)) --- all in all, I appreciated choosing this as part of my vacay, and apricated hearing...

The people were very nice. But, the train broke down about a mile after leaving, and we were stuck for an hour in super hot July weather. Then, we were towed back to the station, we didn't even make it to Enterprise. We used the Sunflower App to ride, so it was free, but we won't go again. A lot of people were mad and got off the train and walked back. Someone asked if this happens a lot, and they acknowledged that it is an old train and it happens. Again, the workers were really nice, and we enjoyed the Old Abilene Town next door. It was super disappointing though. If you're like us, and you have a new baby and a small child, I'd avoid this. Especially since they acknowledged that "it happens." I don't know how often it happens, but it was miserable!! We heard from someone else that was there (people who had to pay, and didn't use the Sunflower App) that they were denied a refund. So, ride at your own risk! We are from Wichita, and we spent 3 hours round-trip driving to go make a special trip to ride this train, and it was a huge disappointment. Again, everyone was nice, but like I'd avoid it with kids, especially when it's hot. It was free, but a huge let down and waste of a day and gas money. I feel bad for the people that paid and didn't even...