History of Red Trains We're St. Augustine's ORIGINAL sightseeing train tour

Since 1953

The Red Trains are one of the oldest attractions in the state of Florida and boasts a past as colorful as the trains themselves. The trains have operated continuously since 1953 and were born from the “Saint Augustine Trailer Train Wars” between H.L. “Slim” McDaniel and Joseph “Joe” McClure. The trains were incorporated in 1967 and later became the property of another Saint Augustine legend, Mr. A.H. “Hoopie” Tebault.

History of the Red Trains in St Augustine, FL
In 2004, Ripley Entertainment, Inc. purchased the trains. Saint Augustine had long been a favorite vacation spot of Robert Ripley who frequently stayed at the Hotel Warden on San Marco Ave. Ripley tried to acquire the hotel as a museum in which to house his collection of oddities in the early 1940’s, but was unsuccessful. In 1950, a year after his death, his dream was achieved and the Castle Warden became the first permanent Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum.

St Augustine City Gates, 1953

Acquiring the Red Trains just seemed a natural progression in growing Ripley’s legacy in this beautiful city. Since 1953, the Red Sightseeing Trains have been yellow, blue, black and finally, red. Through all of the changes, one thing has remained the same. The trains have for years, and will continue to delight and educate visitors to our beautiful city by offering the highest quality tour that is second to none. Our highly skilled drivers and friendly staff welcome you to Saint Augustine and say “All Aboard” for the best tour the city has to offer.

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