School Train Rides

About School Train Rides

All aboard! Join for a round trip ride along the scenic Sacramento River, as you experience railroading first hand as it was in the early part of the 20^th century. Pulled by one of our historic steam or diesel locomotives, this ride is the perfect hands-on compliment to visiting the museum.

Due to limited capacity, we can only book a small number of school groups per day. Please book in advance.

Spring 2027 schedule: Tuesdays and Wednesday from March 2 through May 12.

Train Ride Information

Meet at the Central Pacific Passenger Station at the corner of Front and J Streets in Old Sacramento. Click here for a google maps link.

Trains depart at 10am and 11:30am. You must be on board before departure time. Trains will not be held for a late group.
There must be a minimum of 1 adult for every 10 students for the train ride.
Participants should arrive 30 minutes prior to the departure time.
These historic rail cars are not accessible and cannot accommodate wheelchairs. All passengers must be able to climb a narrow set of stairs to board. Please contact 916-445-5995 for questions about accessibility on the train.
Please contact the CSRM Group Desk if you cannot make your train ride ([email protected] or (916) 323-9274).

How to Reserve

NOTE: Train reservation procedure has changed from last year.

All train rides will be reserved directly through booking specific field trips.

Train rides are available with:

Specific Free Self-Guided appointment times - they will be clearly labeled
All Westward Bound programs

You will not be able to add on a free school train ride to other reservations. Due to limited availability, not all schools will be able to take a train ride.

School train rides are not available for commercial groups or groups not associated with a K-12 school.

Trains depart on time.

All groups should arrive with enough time to use the restroom and board, prior to their departure time. See below for more information.

All Westward Bound groups should go to the Central Pacific Passenger Station first. Block A groups will do the program first in the Station. Block B groups will ride the 10am train first.

If you did not book one of the specific times above or do not have a Westward Bound program: you did not reserve a train ride for your group. Please contact the Group Desk if you have any questions ([email protected] or (916) 323-9274).

Already have a field trip booked?

View Teacher's Guide What do you need to know before you go?

Questions?

Please contact the California State Railroad Museum Group Desk if you have any questions or to make reservations over the phone.

[email protected]

(916) 323-9274