Train Rides - California State Railroad Museum

Summer Excursion Train Rides along the River

All aboard the California State Railroad Museum’s popular excursion railroad—the Sacramento Southern Railroad. 2017 marks the 34th consecutive season the excursion trains have been operating in Old Sacramento. Train rides include closed coach cars and a first-class observation car pulled by either Granite Rock No. 10 steam locomotive or one of our vintage diesel locomotives from the Museum’s collection.

Click here to reserve tickets.

Days of operation: Saturdays and Sundays; April through September
Hours of operation: Every hour on the hour, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (weather permitting)
Departure location: Central Pacific Railroad Freight Depot in Old Sacramento (located on Front Street between J and K Streets).
Tickets: Regular Coach: $12 adults, $6 youths (ages 6-17), ages 5 and under ride free.
First Class Car: $20 adults, $15 youths (ages 6-17), ages 5 and under ride free.

*Please note: weekend excursion train tickets are available for pre-purchase online, except for the day of the excursion. No tickets are available for pre-purchase online the day of the train ride. Tickets are available on the weekends on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 10:30 a.m. at the Sacramento Southern Railroad ticket office. For more information about the Train Ride, call the Membership Department at (916) 445-5995.

Ride in First Class Style!

During Summer Weekend Excursion Train Rides, enjoy a scenic, 45-minute ride along the Sacramento River and sit back in luxury and air conditioned comfort as you are served refreshments in first class style. Each operating day we will be pulling one of our three elegant first class cars: The El Dorado, The French Quarter, and The Audubon Dining Car.

Explore First Class Cars

Since 1984, more than one million guests have taken a ride aboard the Sacramento Southern Railroad, served by all-volunteer crews fully trained and certified under Federal Railroad Administration regulations. Each spring, the Sacramento Southern Railroad takes center stage as visitors enjoy the sights, smells and sounds of authentic locomotives as they roll along the levees of the Sacramento River. Appealing to all ages, the experience offers guests the chance to experience train travel from an earlier era.

During the operating season, weekends April – September, tickets for Sacramento Southern Railroad excursion train rides are available to purchase online during the week or on a first-come, first-served basis on the weekends starting at 10:30 a.m. at the Sacramento Southern Railroad ticket office, located on Front Street between J and K Streets in Old Sacramento. To reserve the entire First Class car for a regularly scheduled train ride, April through September, please email [email protected]

Farm-to-Fork Cocktail Train

Celebrate Farm-to-Fork in rail-related style! Showcasing the rich history and deep connection between agriculture and the railroad, the third annual Farm-to-Fork Cocktail Trains are scheduled for September 23 and 24. Due to high demand, we’re adding a second train! Guests will enjoy a leisurely first-class train ride as well as exquisite locally prepared appetizers and beverages. Space is limited for this special event and all train ride guests must be at least 21-years-old. Registration will open in August. Members will receive an advance purchase opportunity prior to general public sales.

Tuesday Train Rides

As an expansion of the weekday train ride program for local school groups, the California State Railroad Museum offers excursion train rides to the general public on select Tuesdays. Two train ride times are available at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on the scheduled Tuesdays when the trains are running (generally February-May and October).

2017 Tuesday Train Schedule: Tuesdays, February 28-May 2, and October 3-31

All excursion trains depart from the Central Pacific Railroad Freight Depot in Old Sacramento (on Front Street between J and K Streets). Tickets cost $12 for adults, $6 for youth (ages 6-17) and free for children ages 5 and under. Weekday train ride tickets are only available in person on a first-come, first-served basis at 10:30 a.m. the day of the train ride at the Sacramento Southern Railroad ticket office. For more information, call (916) 323-9280.

Spookomotive Train Ride

Join us for three special weekends in October for the annual Spookomotive Train Ride! This delightful, not frightful train is just the ticket for the family. Ride the train along the levees of the river and listen to a whimsical Halloween story while the “skeleton” crew passes out a special toy treat for each child. On the return trip, rock to the music of creepy, crawly Halloween songs. The diesel-powered train is decorated for the season with cornstalks, scarecrows, skeletons, bats and spiders.

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride

Events Polar Express Frequently Asked Questions

Relive the magical journey of THE POLAR EXPRESS™ on an hour-long train ride to the North Pole. Enjoy hot chocolate and delicious cookies as you ride along with many of the story’s characters; such as the Train Conductor, the Dancing Waiters, and a ghostly Hobo. Once you reach the North Pole, the jolly old elf — Santa himself — will come on board to give each passenger a silver sleighbell, the “first gift of Christmas”. THE POLAR EXPRESS™ in November and December, and tickets go on sale to the public on October 1.

Learn more about THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride.

Become A Member Today

Members of the California State Railroad Museum ride free in coach seating on the regular weekend excursion train ride and a discounted ticket for the Spookomotive Train Ride!