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California Scenic Train Rides (2024) : A Complete Guide

Last revised: December 10, 2023

By:  Adam Burns

If interested in California scenic train rides the guide here provides that information as well as a brief history of the state's railroads. 

Although its first did not appear until the mid-1850's ( nearly 30 years after the  Granite Railway was formed on March 4, 1826 ), California has an illustrious history with trains. 

It began with the Gold Rush and grew exponentially after the Transcontinental Railroad's completion. 

According to an in-depth analysis  Trains Magazine  published in its January, 2007 issue entitled, " Great Railroading: State-By-State ," the state really was " Like Nowhere Else On Earth! "

In time it was served by five major "Class I's" (Southern Pacific, Union Pacific; Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe; Western Pacific; and Great Northern), enjoyed a healthy industrial base, contained rich agricultural lands, and eventually encompassed a network of more than 8,000 route miles.  

As a result, California now offers several scenic train rides ranging from the noteworthy Napa Valley Wine Train and Fillmore & Western to the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad and Niles Canyon Railway. 

There are also numerous museums, such as the California State Railroad Museum which houses the last preserved "Cab Forward" steam locomotive.  

Please note!   The information here pertains only to California train rides pertaining to vacation and tourism destinations.  If you are interested in intercity/long distance rail travel please visit  Amtrak's website .

State Rail History

It could be rightfully argued California single-handedly settled the West. 

Its lands remained in territory status for only two years ( following their sale from the Mexican government as part of the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ) before it achieved statehood on September 9, 1850 as the 31st state of the United States. 

Nearly a decade would pass before a bordering territory would gain a similar status (Oregon, granted statehood on February 14, 1859). 

While the "Gold Rush" (which began after James W. Marshall found the rare metal at Sutter's Mill in Coloma on January 24, 1848) brought tens of thousands of prospectors (eventually totaling around 300,000) it was rich farmland, within the San Joaquin Valley, and seaside ports (totaling 840 miles) that transformed California into the country's most successful economy. 

Its involvement with the iron horse predated the Transcontinental Railroad's completion by more than a decade. 

The Sacramento Valley Railroad is identified as the state's first to file articles of incorporation as a common-carrier when it was formed on August 4, 1852.

-  California's very first railroad put into operation was the Arcata & Mad River Railroad, established in 1854 and opened its first two miles in 1855.  It was built by private interests to load lumber schooners in Humboldt Bay near Arcata . -

Four years later, on February 22, 1856, the Sacramento Valley was opened from Sacramento to Folsom (22.9 miles). 

In time, the SVRR would join the sprawling Southern Pacific network, a system which came to define California.

The SP'S heritage began with the Central Pacific Railroad, which completed the western leg of the Transcontinental Railroad. 

It was the vision of Theodore Judah who loosely formed the "Central Pacific Railroad Company of California" on November 1, 1860. 

Unfortunately, Judah was later. outmaneuvered by the "Big Four" consortium of Charles Crocker, Collis P. Huntington, Mark Hopkins, and Leland Stanford. 

He had approached them about securing needed financing for the project but they quickly took over the endeavor after realizing its monetary potential. 

They subsequently incorporated the Central Pacific Railroad of California on June 28, 1861 to " construct a railroad and telegraph line from the Pacific coast, at or near San Francisco, or the navigable waters of the Sacramento River, to the eastern boundary of California. " 

With the passage of the Pacific Railroad Act, signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln on July 1, 1862, the CP adopted the agreement on October 7th and formally accepted it through the Department of the Interior on December 24th.

With the government's support the CP was provided land grants and federal loans for the purpose of establishing a connection with the Union Pacific (building west from Omaha, Nebraska) somewhere near the Sierra- Nevada Mountains. 

The two sides, through federal remediation, eventually settled on Promontory Summit, Utah and the Transcontinental Railroad was formally completed on May 10, 1869. 

To learn more about this endeavor please click here .  According to the book, " The Routledge Historical Atlas Of The American Railroads " by author John F. Stover, in time California was crisscrossed with ribbons of steel rail that had peaked at more than 8,300 miles by the 1920's. 

The Southern Pacific was always the state's primary rail provider but several other notables would also reach its borders including:

• Western Pacific (its main line paralleled the SP from San Francisco/Sacramento to Salt Lake City)
• Santa Fe (served all of the state's major cities)
• Union Pacific (originally accessed only Los Angeles)
• Great Northern (completion of its "Inside Gateway" to Bieber on November 10, 1931 offered a link to the Bay Area in conjunction with the Western Pacific)

California was also home to several short lines, the world's largest interurban (Pacific Electric Railway), and several logging operations.  Today, it's network totals 4,803 miles according to the Association of American Railroads.

• Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad

This little operation is based in Los Gatos and provides 1/3rd-scale California scenic train rides. Its history is not that of your typical scale railroad; it all began with William "Billy" Jones, a longtime Southern Pacific. 

In 1939 he located and acquired an 18-inch gauge steam locomotive designed for the Venice Miniature Railway in Venice Beach, California. 

Jones then used the little steamer to establish a miniature railroad of his own to host rides for the public. 

After he passed away in 1968 a local group formed a non-profit organization called the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad, Inc. to continue operating his collection at the Oak Meadow Park and Vasona Park in Los Gatos. 

It reopened in July, 1970.  Today, the railroad maintains an engine house, depot, and even a water tank while offering trips over 1 mile of track. 

They operate nearly year-round but have various hours depending on the seasons.  The attraction has become so popular it now hosts more than 100,000 visitors annually!

• Calico & Odessa Railroad

Another small railroad, this tourist attraction is based in Yermo and operates a 2-foot, 6-inch narrow gauge line through the ghost town of Calico, California (in its heyday this community produced over $20 million in silver ore from 500 local mines during a 12-year period). 

The Calicao & Odessa is based from the actual Waterloo Mining Railroad, a local narrow-gauge system which hauled this silver ore from Calico to the mills of Daggett during the 1880's. (It does not, however, utilize the original right-of-way.)

• California State Railroad Museum

Not surprisingly, scenic train rides can be found at one of the state's biggest train attractions.  Perhaps few other museums, except the Illinois Railway Museum, rival the California State Railroad Museum in terms of size, scope, and collection. 

With a history dating as far back as 1937, it's based in Sacramento and remains one of the city’s top tourist destinations, seeing over a half-million visitors annually (a testament to just how interesting and engaging railroad museums can be).

Given the sheer size of CSRM's collection it would not be possible to cover it all here in a brief paragraph.  Thanks to the numerous resources available, of which few other museums are privy, CSRM is large enough to contain a number of various operating departments.

While it tends to spotlight and feature historic pieces related to California, or western railroads overall, it also highlights railroad history in general (including the Transcontinental Railroad). 

Finally, you can catch a train ride while there!  They offer excursion trips using an 0-6-0 steam locomotive, operating from the spring through late Summer, every hour on Saturday and Sunday. 

• California Trolley & Railroad Corporation

This museum, located in San Jose, was established in 1982 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  Its primary mission aims at preserving the memory and history of rail transportation in the Santa Clara Valley. 

The group has two noteworthy steam locomotives under their care, Southern Pacific 4-6-2 #2479 (Class P-10) manufactured by Baldwin in 1923 and Southern Pacific 0-6-0 #1215 (Class S-10) also built by Baldwin (1913). 

They are currently working towards the complete restoration and operation of the former while the latter will remain a static display piece. 

In addition, they operate a number of trolleys on a short stretch of track.  Finally, their long term goals involve opening the San Jose Steam Railroad Museum which will maintain Southern Pacific's historic, six-stall Lenzen Roundhouse and turntable.

• California Western Railroad, "The Skunk Train"

The famed  Skunk Train , one of California's most popular scenic train rides, operates from Fort Bragg to Willits (where a connection was once made with the now-defunct Northwestern Pacific Railroad). 

The heritage of this trackage, which totals 40 miles, can be traced back to the Fort Bragg Railroad that began operations in 1885 for the purpose of moving redwood logs from the rich forests of Glenblair to a mill at Fort Bragg. 

After various name changes it became the California Western Railroad on December 19, 1947.  Following many years moving timber products the CWR discontinued freight operations in 2001. 

The carrier had operated passenger trains for many years and essentially transitioned into a tourist attraction, particularly after freight service ceased.  The railroad operates both steam and diesel locomotives year-round while also hosting a number of special events.

• Carolwood Barn & Museum

This organization, located in Griffith Park, Los Angeles looks to preserve Walt Disney's vast collection of scale model trains, one of his longtime interests. 

The barn in which these displays are housed holds particularly historical significance.  It was built in 1950 by Disney, himself, at his home in Holmby Hills, California, replicating a similar structure at his family's farm in Marceline, Missouri. 

The building acted as a workshop, used to maintain his 1/8th scale live-steam railroad, the so-called "Carolwood Pacific Railroad." 

A few years later he went on to build the now world-renowned attraction, Disneyland, although the barn always remained on his property. 

Today, it continues to feature his original works and is open the third Sunday of each month from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.  Admission and parking to the museum are both free of charge.

• Colma Historical Association

This organization, which launched in 1993, is housed within the Southern Pacific's restored wooden depot in Colma, originally completed between 1863-1870. 

They are open throughout much of the week and there is no admission.  The entire grounds include three additional buildings; the main museum, freight depot (built between 1904-1905), and blacksmith’s shed. 

Please note this group is not primarily centered around railroad preservation. 

While they do have some displays relating to trains it also features historic embalming equipment, blacksmithing items, typewriters, and information concerning Colma's 14 different cemeteries. 

There are also quilts on display, vintage buttons, telegrapher items, period clothing, and numerous photos from year's past.  It is an interesting place with a little of everything to see!

Fillmore & Western Railway (Closed - June 28, 2021)

Found just up the coast from Los Angeles, the Fillmore & Western offered several different excursions, from dinner trains to murder mystery specials.

The railroad was best known as the location of many featured films, television shows, and various commercials.  Until operations ceased on June 28, 2021 when its leased expired, this number had totaled more than 400!  

The history of the trackage, which totals 28.25 miles connecting Piru with Saticoy, dates back to the Southern Pacific. 

The state's most famous railroad completed the line in 1885, which remained its primary corridor between San Francisco and Los Angeles until 1904. 

Today, the right-of-way is owned by the Ventura County Transportation Commission. 

• Folsom Valley Railway/Folsom City Zoo

The Folsom Valley Railway is part of the Folsom City Zoo in Folsom, California. 

The train ride has been in operation since 1970 and utilizes an authentically-scaled steam engine and cars (12-inch gauge) running on about 4/5-mile of track. 

In June, 1978 the operation was taken over by Mylon Thorley from the original owners, the Sherman brothers.  A little over a decade later there was another ownership change when, on January 1, 1991, Terry Gold acquired the little attraction and he remains the caretaker today.   

There are currently two locomotives on the grounds; a 4-4-0 named " Cricket " (built by Erich Thompson of Berkeley Hills, California in 1950) and 4-4-2 #3001 (a project launched by Alan Shelly in 1938, it was later finished more than a decade later in 1949).

If the weather permits the railroad operates during select days of the week every month of the year.

• Fort Humboldt State Historic Park

Based in Eureka, this state park (since 1977) carries the goal of preserving the region's logging history.  

Specifically their mission statement is " ...to create awareness and appreciation for the impact of timber, logging, and railroads on the settlement and growth of Humboldt County. " 

In addition, since the grounds are within a former Army fort, military history is presented here as well.  Of their many attractions the group offers scenic train rides, or speeder trips, during the summer months.  

They also have two small, standard-gauge (4 feet, 8 1/2 inches) steam locomotives on displa:

• Elk River Mill & Lumber 0-4-0 #1, named the " Dolly Varden " (built by Marshutz & Cantrell [National Iron Works] in 1884)
• Bear Harbor Lumber Company 0-4-0RT #1 (manufactured by Marshutz & Cantrell [National Iron Works] in 1892)

The park's website states it is open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

• Irvine Park Railroad

The Irvine Park Railroad is situated in Orange, California and offers scale-California train rides (1/3-scale) throughout much of the year (except major holidays, including Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day) within the Irvine Regional Park. 

This recreational venue is also home to numerous other outdoor activities such as the Orange County Zoo, paddle-boat and bike rentals, pony rides, and numerous hiking trails. 

The railroad began in 1996 and has transformed into one of their most popular attractions, running a sort of semi-circle loop over a portion of the property. 

Also, be sure to visit the park for special events, such as their Easter Extravaganza , events for Halloween, and a special "Christmas Train!" 

Finally, visit their website to learn more about hosting parties on the grounds (which includes pavilion/moon bounce rentals and even enjoy an outdoor get-together at the "Locomotive Loop").

• Knott's Berry Farm

Don't let the name fool you!  Scenic train rides can be found at this tourist attraction. 

Knott's Berry Farm provides a laundry list of family activities and is essentially a theme park.  Some of these include a roller-coaster, water slides, and virtual reality game. 

They even have the Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant (opened in 1934) and a hotel accommodations.  Finally, one of their very popular attractions is the Calico Railroad, which operates tours around the park. 

This is not a scale-train ride.  The equipment is actual, full-size locomotives and cars operating on three-foot ("narrow-gauge") track. 

The equipment is particularly noteworthy and historic.  They include:

• Operational 2-8-0 #41 (originally built for the Rio Grande Southern in 1881 by Burnham, Parry, Williams Company [Baldwin Locomotive Works] as a Class C-19 "Consolidation" which spent many years in Colorado) 
• 2-8-0 #340 under restoration (originally built for the Denver & Rio Grande in 1881 by Burnham, Parry, Williams Company [Baldwin Locomotive Works] as a Class C-19 "Consolidation")

There are also a pair of 24-inch gauge locomotives on the premises including 0-4-0T #3 (built by the Vulcan Iron Works in 1908) and 4-4-0 #83 (this locomotive is operational and was built by Crown Metal Products in 1982)

• LARail.com, Inc.

One of the most luxurious of scenic train rides can be found through LA Rail, designed to whisk passengers back in time and experience what rail travel was like during the industry's "Silver Age" of streamliners. 

The cars operate largely between Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and San Diego running as part of Amtrak consists. They also offer long-distance trips from time to time. 

Please check their website to learn more about these adventures. 

Their current fleet includes Pacific Sands (10-roomette, 6-bedroom Pullman sleeper), Silver Splendor (Vista-Dome lounge-diner), Pacific Trail (44-seat coach), Overland Trail (39-seat club/lounge), and Tioga Pass (open-observation business car).

• Laws Railroad Museum

This museum (operated by the Bishop Museum & Historical Society) is based in Bishop and housed within the city's preserved Carson & Colorado Railway depot (built in 1883). 

The C&C was a very noteworthy narrow-gauge (3-foot) system that, according to Dr. George Hilton's book, " American Narrow Gauge Railroads ," operated some 293 miles from Mound House, Nevada to Keeler, California. 

Construction on the project began from the Virginia & Truckee's (the C&C's parent company) main line at Mound House on May 31, 1880 and had reached Keeler three years later in July, 1883. 

Like the V&T, it was built primarily to handle the silver mining boom and then later served a quick flurry of gold mining activity. 

In March, 1900 the Southern Pacific acquired the property for $2.75 million, converted it to standard gauge, and reincorporated it as the Nevada & California Railroad (May 11, 1905). 

Afterwards, the line was extended to Mojave in 1910. The museum's most significant display piece is Southern Pacific 4-6-0 #9, a narrow-gauge steam locomotive manufactured by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1909.

• Lomita Railroad Museum

This museum, housed in a beautiful replica (constructed in 1966) of Boston & Maine's depot that still stands in Wakefield, Massachusetts. 

They have also built a full-scale water tank on the property, a device commonly used by steam locomotives to gather water along the tracks. 

Finally, several pieces of rolling stock can be found on the grounds including a Southern Pacific tender, Union Pacific caboose (built in 1910), Santa Fe caboose, Union Pacific boxcar, and Union Oil tank car. 

Their featured attraction is preserved Southern Pacific 2-6-0 #1765 (M-6) which sits on display next to the building.  This little "Mogul" was built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1902. 

In addition to these there are various displays on-hand to peruse.  The museum is open Thursday through Sunday, offers tours for groups and schools, and charges admission for ages 3 and over.  To learn more please visit their website.

• Napa Valley Wine Train

One of the most popular scenic train rides, and well known throughout the country, is the Napa Valley Wine Train. 

They offer one of the best dinner train experiences you can enjoy anywhere featuring a wide range of options (including wine, of course) aboard their train which operates through the beautiful Napa Valley region. 

The train itself is operated by the Napa Valley Railroad, a reborn entity tracing back to 1864.  It originally connected Calistoga and Crockett (48 miles).

The purpose of the original, just like today, was to bring tourists to Napa Valley (in this case to Calistoga, a resort city). 

If you find yourself vacationing or traveling through this region's famous vineyards you may want to consider stopping for a visit to this very posh train, which spares no expense in the meal and journey!

The Napa Valley Wine Train was initially started in 1987 by local preservationists and railroad enthusiasts among stiff opposition from local communities.

After a lengthy court battle the railroad won out and was granted the right to operate the then ex-Southern Pacific trackage between Napa and St. Helena. 

• Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum

This organization is based in Nevada City and its mission is to preserve the region's narrow-gauge history, which was predominantly centered around the logging industry.  

They have a rather substantial collection on the premises with many pieces restored.  Of particular note is their preserved 2-6-0 #5, built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works for Carson & Tahoe Lumber & Fluming in 1875. 

They also feature another steamer, 2-6-2 #5, manufactured by the Lima Locomotive Works in 1911 for Williamson & Brown Land & Lumber Company (a few years later, in 1916, it was sold to the Argent Lumber Company Railroad of Hardeville, South Carolina). 

Other pieces of rolling stock include a pair of small Plymouth diesel switchers, a modern 0-4-0 steam locomotive, an operating "rail bus" car, and various other freight cars.  To plan a visit and learn more please visit their website.

• Niles Canyon Railway

The Niles Canyon Railway features a number of different scenic train rides on its 1 hour, 15 minute round trips, pulled by both steam and diesel locomotives. 

It is one of many tourist lines in the state providing excursions on a former Southern Pacific (SP) route.  This particular corridor extends a little under 10 miles with a history that can be traced back to the Civil War era.  

The SP discontinued service in the mid-1980s and subsequently abandoned the line.  However, thanks to the hard work of many volunteers a section was rebuilt a few years later and today provides a popular tourist attraction for thousands.

The railroad has since grown to the point it now hosts several specials throughout the year.  Noteworthy among its collection are four operating steam locomotives:

• Robert Dollar 2-6-2T #3 (manufactured by American Locomotive in November, 1927)
• Quincy Railroad 2-6-2T #2 (built by American Locomotive in 1924)
• Clover Valley 2-6-6-2T #4 (manufactured by Baldwin in March, 1924 it is one of only a few Mallet locomotives currently in operation)
• Southern Pacific 4-6-2 #2472 (built by Baldwin in 1921, listed as Class P-8)
• Pacific Southwest Railway Museum

This museum is operated by the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum Association (PSRMA) with two locations, Campo and La Mesa. 

Throughout much of the year they offer excursions via a 16-mile round trip over trackage originally built by the San Diego & Arizona Railway (SD&A). 

It was later sold to the Southern Pacific in 1932 whereupon the property became known as the  San Diego & Arizona Eastern Railway. 

There are two preserved depots maintained by the PSRMA, a former SD&A wooden structure in Campo and San Diego & Cuyamaca Railway trolley building, built in 1894, which served La Mesa. 

The museum maintains a fairly sizable collection of steam and diesel locomotives along with an assortment of other equipment. 

Their notable pieces include Coos Bay Lumber 2-8-2T #11 (built by Alco in 1929) that is under restoration and an eclectic collection of diesels. 

• Poway-Midland Railroad

Located in Poway, the Poway-Midland Railroad operates on a 0.5-mile segment of track in the city's park using a 0-4-0 steam locomotive (originally built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in April, 1907 for Cowell Cement) and a trolley car. 

The arrangement carries an usual 3-foot, 6-inch narrow-gauge alignment.  This little organization, owned by the city, and headed by the Poway–Midland Railroad Volunteers, Inc., has been open since 1991. 

According to the railroad, its history can be traced back to a Colonel John Porter who built a small attraction on his property near Aubrey, known as the "Rattlesnake Creek Railroad." 

He passed away in 1980 before the idea could be fully put into operation.  However, the city subsequently purchased his railroad in 1986, which led to the volunteer group's formation and eventual operation of the property. 

Some of their other better known pieces include an 1894 Los Angeles trolley car, Fairmont Speeder built in 1956, and a cable car manufactured in 1906 that originally operated in San Francisco.

• RailGiants Train Museum

This museum is located in Pomona at the Fairplex and operated by the Southern California Chapter of the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society (the oldest railroad preservation society in the United States, the R&LHS was founded in 1921).  

They have a large outdoor collection available to see and peruse.  The group's most famous piece, Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 "Big Boy" #4014, was reacquired by UP in 2013 for restoration and operation as part of its heritage steam fleet. 

Their other noteworthy locomotives include:

• Outer Harbor Terminal Railway (Santa Fe) 0-6-0 #2 (Schenectady Locomotive Works, 1887)
• Fruit Growers Supply Company 3-truck Climax #3 (Climax Locomotive Works, 1909)
• United States Potash Company 2-8-0 #3 (Baldwin Locomotive Works, 1903)
• Santa Fe 4-6-4 #3450 (Baldwin, 1927)
• Southern Pacific 4-10-2 #5021 (American Locomotive, 1926)
• Union Pacific 4-12-2 #9000 (American Locomotive, 1926)
• Union Pacific SD40-2C #3501 (Electro-Motive, 1972; this unit, fully operational when it arrived, was traded to the museum for 4-8-8-4 #4014)
• Union Pacific DDA40X "Centennial" #6915 (Electro-Motive, 1986)

The museum is open on the second full weekend of each month; 10 AM - 5 PM.

• Railtown 1897 State Historic Park

Railtown 1897 is located in Jamestown offering excursions pulled by steam locomotives and restored vintage railroad equipment. 

They house their collection within the town's historic shops and roundhouse.  Excursions are offered throughout much of the year with special events also hosted. 

These trips are presented under the name of the Sierra Railway, with ties to this trackage.  It dates back to 1897, originally projected to connect the California Central Valley with the Gold Country foothills. 

At its largest length the railroad ran 57.43 miles from Tuolumne (serving the West Side Lumber Company's mill there) to Oakdale where interchange was established with the Southern Pacific and Santa Fe. 

The name "Rail Town 1897" first appeared in 1971 when the railroad began marking excursions and slowly grew from that time forward. 

In 1982 California's Department of Parks and Recreation purchased the property, renaming it as Railtown 1897 State Historic Park.  Today, they offer a wide range of trips and special events throughout the year.

• Redwood Valley Railway

Located inside Tilden Regional Park at Berkeley the Redwood Valley Railway offers miniature train rides on weekends year-round and weekdays during the summer. 

The attraction has been around for many years; it all began in 1952 when Erich Thomsen established the Tilden South Gate & Pacific Railway, a 12-inch gauge system (later expanded to 15-inch in 1968). 

Today, the railroad operates 1.25 miles of track and draws over 160,000 passengers a year. 

There are five, live-steam locomotives which pull the trains: 

• 0-4-0 #2 named Juniper
• 2-4-2 #4 named Laurel
• 4-4-0 #5 named Fern
• 2-6-2 #7 named Oak
• 4-6-0 #11 named Sequoia  (all of these machines were manufactured locally at the organization's Redwood Valley Shops; the newest is 2-6-2 #7 built in 2006)

These miniature railroads have become increasingly popular over the years, particularly the more authentic venues with live steamers and scale-structures/equipment.

• Roaring Camp Railroads

The Roaring Camp offers a number of different scenic train rides to experience. They also host special dinner trains throughout the year featuring entertainment.

What became the Roaring Camp & Big Trees Narrow Gauge Railroad was the dream of F. Norman Clark who wanted to bring back the majesty of the steam locomotive. 

His idea began in the late 1950s when steam was all but gone from main line railroads.  Eventually, Clark located a 2-Truck Shay in Dixiana, Virginia that had long been removed from service and rusting away. 

The Shay was a classic geared steam locomotive, created by Ephraim Shay in the late 19th century and designed to pull heavy loads at slow speeds up steep, circuitous, and poor trackage.  

This made it ideal for service in the timber industry while it also found use in other applications.  After acquiring it in 1958 he located nearly 200 acres of ground for lease on the Big Trees Ranch in Santa Cruz County near Felton.  

This area is home to a preserved virgin stand of giant redwoods, part of which now comprises the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.  

With property acquired Clark set about constructing a 3-foot, narrow-gauge railroad that totaled just over 3 miles.  Whether intended or not he was able to add to its realism by featuring very steep grades on the route, some of which topped out at over 9%! 

In 1985 the Roaring Camp & Big Trees Narrow Gauge expanded its business when it launched the Santa Cruz, Big Trees & Pacific Railway.  

This new system took over the former Southern Pacific's Felton Branch between Felton and Santa Cruz, a one-time narrow-gauge system.  

With declining customers and washouts SP cutback the line to Rincon, which was later restored to Santa Cruz under Mr. Clark. 

Fox River Train

The Fox River Train , previously known as the  Sacaramento RiverTrain , is based out of West Sacramento, features upscale dinner train packages offering entertainment with your meal during the three-hour trip.  They also provide special trains and events throughout the year. 

The history of this line can be traced back to a noteworthy interurban, one of the longest end-to-end system of its kind, the Sacramento Northern Railway (SN). 

It's so-called "Woodland Branch," originally built by the Northern Electric Railway, ran 16-miles from West Sacramento to Woodland and remains in operation today. 

The SN would later join one of California's largest railroads, the Western Pacific.  In 1991, WP-successor Union Pacific sold this trackage to the Yolo Shortline Railroad which went on to merge with the Sierra Railroad in 2003 and began hosting the current dinner train after that time.  

• San Francisco Cable Car Museum

As its name implies this museum tells the rich history of San Francisco's cable cars, which were first put into service in 1873.  

While these machines are not traditional railroads they have played an important role in the city's transportation needs for well over a century.  

Today, they function largely for nostalgia/tourism purposes. The museum contains two notable cars within its collection; a former Sutter Street Railway grip car and trailer manufactured in the 1870's and another grip car belonging to the Clay Street Hill Railroad. 

The latter company holds the distinction as the first to be successfully put into service when it began running on August 1, 1873 along Clay Street. 

Its construction was financed by Andrew Smith Hallidie while the line was engineered by William Eppelsheimer.  In 1888 it became part of the Ferries & Cliff House Railway.  The system remained in operation until February 15, 1942.  Admission is free with varying opening hours.

• San Francisco Municipal Railway

Arguably the most interesting of all scenic train rides is the San Francisco Municipal Railway.  Perhaps nothing more is as quintessentially San Francisco as the city's cable cars, which have been in nearly continuous service since 1873.  

The Municipal Railway keeps alive this important part of the city's history and it remains a popular tourism draw today.  The system covers a nearly 50 square-mile region and hosts more than 240 million riders annually. 

There are currently 82 different lines in service which are covered via bus, trolleybus, light rail, streetcar, and cable cars.  

• Santa Maria Valley Historical Railway Museum

This organization, established in 1999, is located in Santa Maria and has a small collection of equipment on hand, including a small miniature railroad offering rides to the public.  

According to their mission statement they are " ...dedicated to the preservation of the railroad heritage of California, the Central Coast, and the Santa Maria Valley. "  The museum is open every second and fourth Saturdays of each month from Noon to 4 PM.

• Sonoma TrainTown Railroad

This little operation, located in Sonoma and within a small theme park, offers a range of miniature train rides operating on the 15-inch scale. 

The two locomotives featured include 2-6-0 #1 (built by Winton Engineering, 1960) and 4-6-4 #5212.  The railroad can trace its history back to 1958, founded by Stanley L. Frank of Oakland. 

As a successful businessman who held an MBA from Harvard, Frank sought to establish a 10-acre outdoor attraction which would enable the public to ride miniature trains.  It began operation in 1968 and has evolved into a popular entertainment venue ever since. 

While there be sure to visit their carousel and scale-roundhouse which houses the locomotives and other equipment! 

TrainTown is open throughout much of the year although their dates vary depending upon the seasons.  To learn more and plan a visit please check out their website.

• Southern California Railway Museum

Another one of the most scenic train rides available is found at the Southern California Railway Museum, formerly known as the Orange Empire Railway Museum. 

This organization has a substantial collection of preserved equipment and also offers excursions powered by steam locomotives, trolley cars, and diesel locomotives. 

Their noteworthy pieces include:

• Nevada Central Railroad 2-6-0 #2 (named the " Emma Nevada " it was manufactured by Baldwin in 1881)
• Waimanalo Sugar Plantation Company 0-4-2T #1 (manufactured by Baldwin in 1883 and then known as  Pokaa , it later worked on the Grizzly Flats Railroad in San Gabriel, California, whereupon it was renamed  Chloe )
• Belle Point & Reserve 0-4-4RT #1 (manufactured by Burnham, Williams [Baldwin] in 1894)
• Mojave Northern Railroad 0-6-0T #2 (built by Davenport Locomotive Works in 1917)
• Ventura County Railway 2-6-2 #2 (built by Baldwin in 1922 this locomotive is operational)
• Union Pacific 2-8-2 #2564 (Class MK-10 it was built by Alco's Brooks Works in 1921)
• Santa Fe FP45 #98 (built by Electro-Motive in 1967)
• Southern Pacific U25B #3100

There are also historic streetcars originally belonging to the Pacific Electric and Los Angeles Railway (LARy).  Finally, they offer excursions over 1.5 miles of right-of-way as well as a 0.5-mile dual-gauge "Loop Line."  

• South Coast Railroad Museum

Based in Goleta this museum is situated inside the former Southern Pacific's beautifully restored two-story wooden depot built in 1901.

The structure is not at its original location and is currently on display at  300 North Los Carneros Road in the Los Carneros County Park).

During the railroad's construction of its so-called "Coast Line" linking San Francisco with Los Angeles (a corridor that continues seeing considerable usage today). 

This particular depot is based from SP's standard "Combination Station No. 22 plan," a design widely used by the company during the late 19th through early 20th centuries. 

The museum contains a few pieces of rolling stock and states their primary goal is to " focus on the history, technology, and adventure of railroading " within the local region. 

If interested in planning a visit they are open during Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 pm.

• Sierra Railroad

Also operated by the same organization that owns the Skunk Train and Roaring Camp the Sierra Railroad offers their Sierra Railroad Dinner Train, which features both dinner and entertainment.  To learn more please visit the RailTown 1897 listing above .

• Tehachapi Depot Railroad Museum

This organization is housed within a beautiful replica of a Southern Pacific, single-story wooden depot.  It was completed in 2009.  

The attractive facility features a very large collection of historic artifacts inside, all of which is presented to a very high quality. 

What's more, it's free to the public.  While there be sure to take a moment and watch the countless Union Pacific and BNSF Railway trains passing by on a regular basis. 

This very busy route has remained a vital rail corridor dating back to the SP and Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (Santa Fe) era, a setup which persists under UP (owner) and BNSF (leaser). 

The line's most striking feature is a grand loop whereupon trains pass over themselves (originally featuring 15 tunnels) to keep grades manageable.  If you would like to learn more about the museum please visit their website.

• Travel Town Museum

The Travel Town Museum is located at Griffith Park in Los Angeles.

Just as they proclaim the organization truly does have the largest collection of preserved steam locomotives in the western United States with some fourteen pieces on display.  

The museum if free and open to the public.  The heritage of this organization dates back to the 1940's when Charley Atkins and a group of railfans wanted to display an authentic steam locomotive next to the miniature train ride at the park. 

They ultimately began with two pieces; Los Angeles Harbor Authority 0-4-0T #31 built by the Davenport Locomotive Works in 1921 and Consolidated Rock Products 0-6-0 #1 built by Alco's Cooke Works in 1925. 

On December 14, 1952 the Travel Town Museum opened and their collection slowly grew from that point forward.

• Western America Railroad Museum

The Western America Railroad Museum (WARM) is based in Barstow with an aim to preserve rail history in the Pacific Southwest (Southern California) region.

The organization is housed within the preserved brick Harvey House (these facilities were spearheaded by the legendary Fred Harvey during the 1870's as a means of providing passengers meals during their trips in a time that pre-dated the modern dining car) and Santa Fe station, originally built in 1911. 

The building carries a wide range of functions including being an active Amtrak stop, home to the Barstow Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, and location of the Route 66 Mother Road Museum. 

The WARM features a wide range of railroad artifacts such as timetables, uniforms, tools, and even artwork.  Also be sure to see their collection of preserved rolling stock outside!

• Western Pacific Railroad Museum

In junction with static displays you can also find scenic train rides at the Western Pacific Railroad Museum.  Located in Portola the WPRM is the premier organization preserving the memory of the Western Pacific.  

They have a very large collection of original WP equipment on hand, many of which are not only preserved but also in operable condition.

The history of the Western Pacific Railroad Museum begins in 1983 when the Feather River Rail Society was formed to preserve the history of the Western Pacific, which only a year earlier had disappeared into Union Pacific.

A year later the society created the Portola Railroad Museum as a means of having a permanent site to both display their growing collection of equipment as well a place where visitors could come to see and learn about the WP.

The original museum was named after the town of Portola, which was once a locomotive servicing and maintenance facility for the WP along the eastern edge of its "Feather River Canyon" route in northern California (east of the famous Keddie Wye and "Inside Gateway" route). 

Today, the organization features a collection of over 35 locomotives and 80 pieces of rolling stock. It is well worth the visit!

• Western Railway Museum

The Western Railway Museum, led by the Bay Area Electric Railroad Association (BAERA), operates trolley service on a former segment of the Sacramento Northern Railway's main line near Suisun City. 

The history of BAERA began long ago when a local group of railfans from San Francisco loosely started the group in 1946 to preserve the region's interurban and streetcar history. 

In 1958 they obtained a collection of used traction equipment following the Key System's closure and subsequently acquired former SN property at Rio Vista Junction. 

With property secured, they formally launched the BAERA, a non-profit organization. 

The operating arm of the group was known as the California Railway Museum, which later became the Western Railway Museum to eliminate confusion with the California State Railroad Museum. 

Today, they have since acquired 22 miles of the former SN trackage and opened a visitor's center in 2001.

• Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad

This narrow-gauge operation, operates 4 miles of ex-Madera Sugar Pine Lumber Company trackage near Fish Camp, California in the Sierra National Forest.

It all began in 1961 thanks to the vision of Rudy Stauffer who rebuilt part of the network ( Which peaked at 140 miles running all over the mountains to reach timber reserves.  Its fleet totaled seven locomotives and more than 100 log/skeleton cars. ) that had closed and been removed in 1931 due to the Great Depression and loss of timber reserves. 

The organization has two operating Shay geared steam locomotives, both of West Side Lumber heritage; 3-Truck #15 built by the Lima Locomotive Works in 1913 and 3-Truck #10, also manufactured by Lima in 1928. 

Finally, during select times throughout the operating season the railroad operates specials known as the Moonlight Special , which feature dinner and entertainment. 

• Sacramento RiverTrain

SteamLocomotive.com

Wes Barris's SteamLocomotive.com is simply the best web resource on the study of steam locomotives. 

It is difficult to truly articulate just how much material can be found at this website. 

It is quite staggering and a must visit!

© Copyright 2007-2024 American-Rails.com. All written content, photos, and videos copyright American-Rails.com (unless otherwise noted).

Want a Relaxing Alternative to a California Road Trip? Hop on a Train.

From rides through redwood forests to wine country, these train trips through california offer plenty of adventure..

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The Pacific Surfliner takes travelers 351 miles along the California coast, but other trains explore different parts of the state.

Photo by Cory Woodruff/Shutterstock

With a coastline over 1,000 miles long north to south, California is an enormous and geographically diverse state, well known for scenic road trips . But consider exploring the state in a different way to remove the stress of potential gridlock in car traffic and gain a novel perspective: by train .

The state’s railroad offerings include historic journeys through redwood forests, luxurious wine trains, and Amtrak routes along the vibrant Pacific coastline and beyond. Here are five of the most scenic train rides to take in California.

1. Pacific Surfliner

• Where: San Diego to San Luis Obispo

Amtrak’s iconic Pacific Surfliner offers a 351-mile trip through San Diego , Orange, Los Angeles , Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties, with stretches of the route abutting the Pacific coastline in Southern California.

Head from San Diego through Anaheim (a useful port of call for Disneyland), then up through L.A.’s historic and lively downtown environment. Next is Santa Barbara—the so-called American Riviera for its coastal views, fine wines, and film festivals. The end of the line to the north is San Luis Obispo, known for outdoor activities, farm-to-table dining, and world-class wineries.

How to do it

• Book a trip: pacificsurfliner.com

The Pacific Surfliner route offers five daily round-trip services between Santa Barbara and San Diego, and 13 between San Diego and Los Angeles. Prices start at $16 for a single leg of the journey. Many stations are within walking distance of key attractions; various transit providers also offer free bus connections to Pacific Surfliner passengers .

Extend the trip with a longer stay in downtown Los Angeles, which has abundant hotel options, including the historic Hotel Figueroa , one of the city’s oldest; it opened nearly a century ago as lodging for professional women travelers, a rarity for the era. The Spanish adobe-style building has 268 rooms and suites and offers a lively, creative scene with top-notch food and drink outlets.

2. Coast Starlight

• Where: San Diego to Seattle

Up for a long haul on Amtrak? Take the famous Coast Starlight all the way through California (with the possibility of continuing to Oregon and Washington). The entire 35-hour route goes from Los Angeles to Seattle with views of snow-peaked mountains, green forests and valleys, and stretches of the Pacific Ocean, too. It’s widely considered one of the most beautiful train trips in the country.

• Book a trip: amtrak.com/coast-starlight-train

Travel the entire route, and the Coast Starlight will be a starting cost of about $100 to $150, or closer to $200 for a business-class seat. There’s also the option to sleep aboard, with the cost of a roomette about $700, or a family room about $1,300—which includes meals, water, and coffee.

3. Napa Valley Wine Train

• Where: Napa Valley

Visiting California’s wineries in Napa can be a nuisance and potential hazard by car. Instead, hop aboard the private Napa Valley Wine train , a 36-mile winetasting loop with wine and artisanal food cooked to order on board.

The train includes vintage Pullman rail cars restored with mahogany paneling, brass accents, etched glass partitions, and posh armchair seating that evokes the glamorous rail travel of the Gilded Age.

• Book a trip: winetrain.com

Choose from three- or six-hour daytime journeys or a two-hour dinner ride. The new “Tasting on the Rails” trip launches in May, with tickets starting at $395. The experience will include a three-hour journey aboard the 1915 Pullman Lounge car, complete with an observation platform exclusive to guests of this experience, as well as a seven-course meal and seven wine pairings from the valley.

The wine train is located in downtown Napa , which is only a 15-minute walk from the Andaz Napa . The Hyatt property offers 141 guest rooms, with hardwood hickory floors and midcentury furnishings. The hotel bar, the Mercantile Terrace, has a bar menu and firepits with a convivial atmosphere.

The Skunk Train offers two journeys year-round: the Wolf Tree Turn and and Pudding Creek Express.

Photo by photosgenius/Shutterstock

4. Skunk Train

• Where: Mendocino

This train goes back to the 1880s, when it ran along the Fort Bragg Railroad to make transporting lumber easier in Northern California’s Mendocino County . That was the genesis of what is now commonly known as the Skunk Train (for the pungent fumes it once emitted). Now, it offers dreamy rides through the majestic redwoods with a heavy dose of nostalgia; the views have remained largely unchanged since its original days.

• Book a trip: skunktrain.com

The train offers an array of trips starting at $50. The seven-mile round-trip Pudding Express departs from the Fort Bragg depot and runs along the estuary of the same name, where blue herons, ospreys, egrets, and more wildlife all make their homes.

Or spend a unique day on the tracks by railbike: These are nearly silent, electric-powered two-person railbikes that breeze along the serene track. Prices start at $265 per bike.

5. River Fox Train

• Where: Sacramento

Originally built in 1911 by Northern Electric Co., the River Fox Train now offers an opportunity for visitors to explore the Sacramento River along a 10-mile stretch of track through Yolo County’s countryside. Theme rides range from beer and wine experiences to murder mystery trips to holiday excursions. Think riverfront views and ivy-draped woodlands. And like its sister Skunk Train in Mendocino County, this track also offers the whimsical railbike experience.

• Book a trip: riverfoxtrain.com

Prices for the train start at $59 for adults and $29 for kids. Railbikes start at $109, which covers two riders midweek. The train boards in West Sacramento. Make a trip of it with a stay at the Citizen Hotel in Sacramento, with curated political art throughout and architecture from George Selland, the first state architect of California.

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Train Travel: Seeing Southern California on the Pacific Surfliner

Get a unique view of California by traveling down the coast on Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner and explore the towns along the way.

December 18, 2022

As you sit back in a train and watch the multitudinous landscapes pass by while enjoying the company of great friends, it’s difficult not to be swept away. There is something nostalgic about train rides that evokes a sense of simpler times. As you cruise along the Southern California coastline aboard the Pacific Surfliner , it becomes clear that the experience has more to do with the journey than the destination. 

While a trip to San Diego may take longer by train, the ability to skip L.A. traffic, avoid long airport security lines, or let go of the focus that long road trips require is well worth the additional time. Listening to the rhythmic sounds of the train chugging along redefines relaxation in a way that must be experienced to be believed; it could very well be the white noise you need from the fast-paced reality we all claim as our own.

Everything You Need To Know About The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner departs from San Luis Obispo and passes through Santa Barbara , Glendale , and Los Angeles before arriving at its final destination, San Diego . If you’re taking a direct train from San Luis Obispo to San Diego it will take between nine and ten hours to make it to your final destination . Depending on what time you plan on arriving in America's Finest City, you have a few options to choose from as the Pacific Surfliner schedule is pretty flexible. The earliest train moves from SLO at 3:45 a.m. and arrives in San Diego at 1:35 p.m., while the last one leaves at 3:40 p.m. and arrives at 1:35 a.m. So crack open that book you have been wanting to get to for months, pick up your phone only to capture the moments, and get to know old friends (or yourself) a little better while aboard the train.

When it comes to prices, Pacific Surfliner tickets taking you from SLO all the way to San Diego cost between $61 and $76. Prices vary, of course, depending on where you get on the train and where you get off. With so many stations, though, getting on and off the train in any city you desire is easy to do. After all, spending some time in the awesome cities in between allows you to have the ultimate California train trip experience. Here’s every stop you need to make along the way, and what to do at each.

First Stop: San Luis Obispo 

Before boarding the train and leaving the city behind, check out a few of the unique San Luis Obispo attractions . Bubblegum Alley is a must-see spot for adventurous souls; the 70-foot walls of the famed alleyway are lined with chewed gum from the hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. If you want to leave your own mark, choose your favorite color of gum and get to chewing. After visiting this interesting attraction, grab a cup of coffee at a neighboring cafe, savor a slice of cake at the Madonna Inn, or check out the local art galleries before heading to nearby beaches. At San Luis Obispo beaches you can go surfing, rent a kayak, or lounge on the sand before your train arrives and the real trip begins.

Second Stop: Santa Barbara

Spend some time in this coastal gem to walk around the historic mission, visit the animals at the Santa Barbara Zoo, and relax on the city’s best beaches . However, an especially unique item is experiencing the Eat This, Shoot That food tours offered in Santa Barbara and Solvang; for the best of Santa Barbara’s most delectable secrets go for the Funk Zone tour. While you’re in the area, you’ll also want to explore the nearby Channel Islands. Kayaking through the islands is considered one of the coolest things to do in Santa Barbara, especially since it’s also the best way to discover the unique fauna and flora of the area . Santa Barbara’s charming hotels and laid-back lifestyle make it an easy place to stay for a day or two, so plan your Pacific Surfliner schedule accordingly to ensure you don’t miss out on all that Santa Barbara has to offer.

Third Stop: Ventura

Next on your Pacific Surfliner stops list is the charming beach town of Ventura . Catch some waves at Surfers Point to meet the locals and see why this town is among the best in the state. The palm trees and coastal views provide the quintessential California vibes, inspiring residents and visitors alike to break out their longboards and paddleboards and spend every moment possible outside. You can head into the local bike shops to pick up your very own beach cruiser. This mode of transportation will allow you to immerse yourself in the rest of the cities along the way and will be a great reminder of your time in the quaint town of Ventura. Pro tip : Reserve space for a bicycle when you plan your Pacific Sufrlined beach  trip so your desired train can accommodate it.

Fourth Stop: Los Angeles

While there are many worthy stops between Ventura and San Diego, Los Angeles is one of the most iconic cities in the state and is definitely worth exploring over a day or two. Whether you’re an LA native, first-timer, or frequent visitor, there’s plenty you haven’t yet discovered. The art galleries , eateries, and boutiques here are one of a kind, making it easy to fill an entire weekend with different experiences. From shopping in Beverly Hills and celebrity spotting to going on the best Hollywood hikes and catching some waves in Santa Monica , there are infinite possibilities in Los Angeles .

Fifth Stop: San Diego

You have finally arrived at the last destination on your Pacific Surfliner adventure: Santa Fe Depot (which is centrally located in downtown San Diego and a short drive away from Balboa Park , Seaport Village, and Waterfront Park). You can also take the ferry over to Coronado island to wander around the charming boutiques, spend a night at the historic Hotel del Coronado , play a round of golf, and enjoy some much-needed relaxation time at the beach. 

The journey home is sure to be as beautiful as the train ride to San Diego, whether you decide to make multiple stops along the way or to go back directly. And luckily, there are plenty more train trips—including the Coast Starlight, which ventures to Seattle, and the California Zephyr, which heads halfway across the country to Chicago—that give you an opportunity to see other parts of the state as well.

Disclaimer:  California.com  is not receiving any type of compensation for reviewing any of the products or services mentioned in this article.

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Train Travel

Another fun way to explore California is to travel by train. It is a great way to enjoy the scenery instead of focusing on the road ahead. Amtrak’s legendary Coast Starlight and Pacific Surfliner trains follow ultra-scenic routes up and down the coast. The Capitol Corridor provides an easy east-west route across Northern California, while the San Joaquin line slices through the broad and sunny Central Valley with connections to Yosemite National Park and other destinations. Along the way, there are options to link to Amtrak Thruway buses, which serve more than 90 destinations statewide. (Plus, you can disembark and hire a car at major stops for additional exploring.) Depending on the route, you may be able to book a space in a special sleeping carriage, with access to an exclusive dining car.

Local & Scenic Railways

Though Amtrak is the largest train service in the state, it is not the only one. In Northern California, Caltrain has regular service between San Francisco and San Jose. In Southern California, Metrolink offers service on seven regional lines that connect L.A., Ventura County, Antelope Valley, San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange County, and the Inland Empire. Trains dedicated to certain themes and in specific locales, such as the Napa Valley Wine Train, also provide a unique way to see some of California’s première destinations.

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These Steam Trains Bring You From the Towering California Redwoods to the Pacific Ocean

Riding from 300-foot-tall redwoods to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk might be the best way to sightsee in California.

Chelsee Lowe is a Los Angeles-based writer with an obsession with good eats and interesting stories. She regularly contributes to Travel + Leisure , TravelAge West , Ventura Blvd , and L.A. Parent , writing about food, family travel, and more.

California's iconic coastal redwoods are majestic: They are the tallest trees on Earth, often growing more than 300 feet high and living as long as 2,000 years. Back in the mid-1800s, the logging industry in the West relied on trains to move the redwoods' tremendous tree trunks from the coastal forests and mountains to flatter, inland regions. Today, coastal redwood forests are preserved, of course, but in some places, trains continue to move on down the track, helping nature buffs (and train buffs) enjoy these scenic areas via locomotive.

VSCC and Walter Scriptunas

In Felton, California, about seven miles outside of the Santa Cruz, Roaring Camp does just that. Trains have run here since 1875, so guests today get a feeling for life back then, with historic engines pulling them through the redwood forest along narrow-gauge grades — and so close to redwood trees you can almost touch them. 

The trains are working pieces of history themselves. One of the few operating steam trains here is Dixiana. Named for the Virginia area it served for years as a mining train, Dixiana is a two-truck steam engine that makes that cartoon-famous (and wildly loud) “toot, toot” when the conductor releases the steam valve. It pulls open-air cars along its route — a slow ride, as it would have been back in the day. The wind may not blow your hair, but you’d be hard-pressed to beat your view.

There are two journeys available at Roaring Camp. Diaxana carries guests for 75 minutes up Bear Mountain and back to the village. For a longer experience, try the three-hour ride connecting Roaring Camp to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk . You can start your ride at either of these stops, then enjoy a trip to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, through a gorge and 19th-century tunnel as you go. This route is part of the historic Santa Cruz Big Trees & Pacific Railway, operating since 1875.

Families heading to Roaring Camp can tack additional kid-friendly activities onto their day. There’s gold panning and candle making, for example, plus lots of outdoor space to run or picnic.

Reserving train tickets in advance is suggested. Prices start at $25 for kids (those under age two are free) and $40 for adults. There’s a full calendar of special events, too, including educational weekend rides in March, an Easter Egg Hunt in April, and themed dinner and movie nights throughout the year.

The 9 Best Train Rides in Northern California

Northern California is a railroad buff’s paradise, as there are many steam and diesel locomotives still in operation today. Your choices range from luxurious dinner trains through Napa Valley Wine Country to relaxing trips through the California Redwoods . For railroad fans who want a behind the scenes look, there are museums where you can view massive locomotives and almost every other kind of railroad equipment.

The California State Railroad

BenFranske/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 3.0

The California State Railroad Museum is located in Sacramento. Excursion trains run through Old Sacramento in April through September. The Museum's other train option, Sacramento Southern Railroad runs a 6-mile loop along the levees of the Sacramento River. The locomotives can be either steam or diesel, depending on the tour, and the rolling stock consists of vintage passenger coaches and converted freight cars.

Check the California State Railroad Museum Foundation website for information about special excursion trains, such as the Halloween Spookomotive Train Ride in October and The Polar Express in November and December.

Railtown 1897 State Historic Park

 A Yee/Flickr/CC BY 2.0

Railtown 1897 State Historic Park is located in Jamestown, in the heart of California's Gold Country . The park features a preserved roundhouse and locomotive repair shop, both of which are still functional and guided tours are available. 

Many movies and TV shows have been filmed at "The Movie Railroad," including High Noon , ​ Unforgiven , Death Valley Days , and Petticoat Junction .

Steam-powered excursion trains run every weekend from April to October. Trains depart the Railtown Depot on the hour for a 6-mile run through the Sierra foothills. Special and seasonal trains, such as Santa's Starlight Express, operate at other times during the year. 

Western Pacific Railroad Museum

 Paul Sullivan/Flickr/CC BY-ND 2.0

The Western Pacific Railroad Museum in Portola houses a large collection of locomotives, rolling stock, and a collection of items from the historic rail line. Among the collection is the UP 6946, the largest diesel locomotive ever built, and historic equipment from the famous California Zephyr. The Museum is a great "hands-on" place for kids, with touching and exploring encouraged.

Train rides are conducted on diesel locomotives, and there are also special seasonal trains, such as the Santa Train in December. 

Sacramento River Train

Jack Snell/Flickr/CC BY-ND 2.0

The Sacramento River Train offers a number of options for 28-mile, 3-hour trips along the Sacramento River. Trains board in Woodland, just north of Sacramento. Depending on the trip you choose, this excursion train offers brunch, lunch, and dinner in two dining cars.

There are numerous special trains throughout the year - check the website for the calendar and trip details . 

Napa Valley Wine Train

The Napa Valley Wine Train is the height of luxury and takes riders on a trip to St. Helena and back, and of course, stopping at wineries along the way. The views are wonderful, and each guests’ ticket includes a four-course meal. The train offers special events such as “Rock the Rails” where they bring in popular musical acts to perform on the train and private twilight tours as well.

Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad

Ian Gratton/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 2.0

This tiny railroad spans only 4 miles, but what it lacks in distance, it makes up with gorgeous vintage steam trains bustling through majestic redwoods. 

Sierra Railroad Dinner Train

Drew Jacksich/Wikimedia Commons

Fancy a murder mystery dinner? How about brunch? The Sierra Railroad Dinner Train is located between San Francisco and Yosemite National Park and offers a wide variety of themed train rides through the beautiful Central Valley countryside. 

Fort Bragg Skunk Train

The name may not appeal to everyone, but the Fort Bragg Skunk Train has plenty of family-friendly, nature-themed train rides that can last up to four hours. 

Roaring Camp Railroads

If you have dreams of spending some time at the beach, ride the Roaring Camp Railroad from the Santa Cruz Mountains, through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, all the way down to the famous Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk . 

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25 Places To Ride Trains in Northern California

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Enjoy our list of exciting list of train rides in Northern California. The list includes tourist railroads, dinner train rides, steam train excursions, kids trains, and railway museums that offer train rides. We might have missed out on some Northern California train rides. If you know of any, big or small, please let us know so we can add them to the list.

Northern California Train Rides

Napa Valley Wine Train

The Napa Valley Wine Train runs along a line built in 1847 to take visitors to the Calistoga resort. Today, the train runs as far as St. Helena and is rated one of the top twenty rail journeys in the world. Travelers view the vineyards while riding in vintage 1915-1947 Pullman Dining, Lounge, or Vista Dome cars.

Sonoma Train Town

Parents and grandparents will appreciate the budget-friendly prices while the kids revel in the carnival-like atmosphere. There is a small fee for park rides and train tickets but no general admission fee for visitors who prefer to keep their feet on the ground and skip the rides.

Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad

The railroad track is about a mile long, and rides last about eight minutes. Adults can relax and enjoy the nostalgia while children ooh and aah as the locomotives pass over the bridge at Los Gatos Creek and continue adjoining Vasona Park.

Skunk Train-Fort Bragg

The train trip from Fort Bragg is called the Pudding Creek Express and is a seven-mile round trip.  The Willits train is called the Wolf Tree Run and is a 2-hour round trip. Passengers enjoy beautiful Northern California scenery with views of redwood trees and the Noyo River.

Niles Canyon Railway

Historic Niles Canyon Railway runs from Sunol to Niles and back, offering departures and arrivals from both towns on most Sundays throughout the year. The Pacific Locomotive Association has railroad equipment on display and alternates between steam and diesel locomotives on Sunday runs.

Redwood Valley Steam Train

The Redwood Valley Steam Train has been operating within Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley for more than fifty years. It’s a fully operational miniature railway with a fleet of replicas of significant steam engines from the past. The railroad has one and a quarter miles of track to run these trains.

Placerville & Sacramento Valley Railroad

The Sacramento Valley Railroad offers train and motorcar rides along a section of Southern Pacific’s Placerville Branch railroad right-of-way. Rides last 30 to 45 minutes and feature scenic views of the Sacramento Valley.

Oakland Zoo Train

Experience a unique adventure at the zoo by hopping on the “Outback Express Adventure Train.” This exciting train ride takes you through the “Wild Australia” exhibit, where you can observe several emus and wallabies native to the Australian outback. The train ride is the only way to see these animals in the zoo, so don’t miss out on this opportunity!

Folsom City Zoo Train

Folsom Valley Railway is adjacent to the zoo and is a perfect place to end your day trip. This fun little train is the only 12-inch gauge railroad in the United States. A miniature steam engine pulls open-air rail cars along with a mile-long track.

Nevada City Railroad Museum

This narrow-gauge railroad is a sight to behold for model railroad fans. It’s well maintained by volunteers who strive to preserve rail history in this area. See a fantastic display of rolling stock, tunnels, buildings, and more. Train rides on select weekends during the summer season. Seasonal events year-round.

Western Railway Museum

Western Railway Museum allows visitors to ride historic streetcars and interurban electric trains from California and other western states. Streetcars loop the shaded picnic grounds. Interurban cars run over the restored main line of the old Sacramento Northern Railway.

Northern California Train Rides San Jose Trolley

San Jose used to have a vast electric trolley car system with 130 miles of track. By 1938, the streetcars were replaced by automobiles and buses. Today, visitors to San Jose’s Kelley Park can ride restored trolley cars on most weekends. Tracks run from the trolley barn through the park to Happy Hollow Park and Zoo.

Yosemite Sugar Pine Railroad

Yosemite Sugar Pine Railroad is an exciting 4-mile railroad excursion at Yosemite Park’s south gate on Highway 41. Ride into history where powerful locomotives hauled massive log trains through the Sierra Mountains.

San Francisco Zoo Little Puffer

San Francisco Zoo’s little puffer train is older than the zoo itself. It started as a tourist train along the beach in Santa Cruz in 1907.  In 1925, the little puffer started a 50-year run shuttling guests around the zoo. The train was retired in 1978 and returned to service at the zoo in 1997.

Sacramento River Fox Train

The Sacramento River Fox Train runs from West Sacramento 10 miles to the outskirts of Woodland and back. The Train starts at the edge of the Sacramento River and then travels through fertile farmland for five miles before it reverses back to the train depot.

Roaring Camps Railway

Roaring Camp’s steam engine collection is among America’s oldest and most accurately preserved regularly scheduled passenger service trains. Roaring Camp offers two different tours to suit your tastes. The Roaring Camp & Big Trees is a steam-powered narrow-gauge line using Shay and Heisler locomotives.

Jamestown 1897 Park

Jamestown 1897 State Historical Park’s one-of-a-kind experience affords visitors a unique understanding of jumping aboard authentic steam and diesel locomotives. Ride in vintage passenger coaches on a six-mile, 40-minute round-trip ride through the scenic Sierra Nevada foothills.

Gilroy Family Gardens Train

Bonfante Railroad at Gilroy Family Gardens is a narrow-gauge railroad pulled by a 1/3 scale replica of an 1863 C.P. Huntington steam locomotive. The stops at two stations as it circles the theme park. Highlights of this train trip include the greenhouse, a tunnel, a waterfall, and a bridge.

Shadowbrook Restaurant Capitola

Shadowbrook features an inclined elevator that takes guests from the parking lot to the dining room adjacent to Soquel Creek. Riding the funicular railway is a fun start for an evening of dining at the historic Shadowbrook Restaurant.

Casa de Fruta Train

Casa de Fruta’s Narrow Gauge Railroad runs on a two-mile-long track adjacent to Pacheco Creek.  This little train trip is extensive for a miniature train and lasts about 20 minutes. Casa de Fruta also features a carousel and a kind of playground. And, of course, there is the original fruit stand and a 24-hour restaurant on the premises. 10021 Pacheco Pass Hwy, Hollister, CA 95023

Northern California Train Rides Cover Apple Ranch

Cover’s Apple Ranch Narrow Gauge Railroad traveled past a pond and threw two tunnels around the ranch.  Trains run on Saturday only along the 1,800-foot track and cost only $2.00 per person: cover Apple Ranch 19211 Cherokee Rd Tuolumne, CA 95379.

Pixie Express Train

Pixie Express is one of three rides at Pixie Woods Children’s Park in Stockton. This fun little train travels through Pixie Forest,  past Frontier Town, and around the park’s lagoon. Rides on the train only cost a few dollars. If you live in the area, you can buy a season pass and ride all day.

Swanton Pacific Railroad

Swanton Pacific Railroad features one-third-scale steam locomotives from the 1915 San Francisco Panama-Pacific International Exposition. The museum is open twice each year for special event days. They also host private events. Swanton Pacific Ranch is located in Santa Cruz County and is owned by Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

Timber Heritage Association Eureka

Timber Heritage Association offers speeder rides on the fourth Saturday of June, July, August, and September.  This scenic four-mile round-trip ride runs along  Humboldt Bay to Manila. The speeder is run along Waterfront Drive in Old Town Eureka on special occasions. The association houses its collection at the historic Roundhouse in Samoa, California.

Howarth Park Train Santa Rosa

Howarth Park is a 138-acre community park in Santa Rosa , California. The park features an excellent fishing lake, a small amusement area with a carousel, an animal farm, pony rides, and a miniature train. The train takes visitors on a quarter-mile ride with a tunnel and a bridge. There is a small fee to ride the train—kids 12 and under ride for free with an adult.

Closed but not forgotten  The Sierra Railroad ,  the third oldest railroad in North America

More Places to Ride Trains

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Our network of three train services work together and help you travel to more than 100 amazing destinations throughout California. Learn more:

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Convenient Connections To Even More Exciting Destinations. Go Further.

Amtrak San Joaquins Fresno county is the heart of California, home to a diverse community, and once you’re here, it’s easy to see why. From thrilling outdoor adventures to the heartland of farm-to-fork dining.

capitol corridor & amtrak san joaquins America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital features new restaurants, plentiful farmers markets, home-grown breweries, colorful street murals, Gold Rush-era family attractions, or a sunset walk along the river.

San Luis Obispo

pacific surfliner & capitol corridor Spend time in nature hiking or biking, visit local landmarks like Bubblegum Alley, or browse boutique shops in downtown—San Luis Obispo has something for everyone.

amtrak san joaquins With iconic waterfalls, giant sequoias and awe-inspiring cliffs, Yosemite National Park is one of the most beautiful parks in the country.

San Francisco

capitol corridor & amtrak san joaquins Awe at San Francisco’s most famous landmarks such as, The Golden Gate Bridge, The Palace of Fine Arts, Alcatraz, Fisherman’s Wharf, hop on a cable car, and enjoy the endless food options.

capitol corridor Lake Tahoe offers a wide variety of pretty epic vacation experiences year round, including skiing and winter sports in colder months and boating and beach activities in summer.

Los Angeles to San Francisco overnight train a step closer to reality

Rendering courtesy Dreamstar

LOS ANGELES - A luxury, high-tech overnight train connecting travelers between Los Angeles and San Francisco is one step closer to reality. 

Newport Beach -based transit startup Dreamstar Lines announced it has signed an agreement with Union Pacific Railroad allowing it to operate its trains on Union Pacific's tracks linking Southern California and the San Francisco Bay Area.

"Our collaboration with Union Pacific Railroad is a significant milestone for Dreamstar Lines and for the future of private rail travel in the United States ," said Joshua Dominic, CEO of Dreamstar Lines, Inc. "By launching this service, we are not only offering a luxurious and eco-friendly travel option but also revitalizing the rich heritage of overnight rail travel in America."

According to Dreamstar, the train cars will offer private rooms, lay-flat beds, in-room showers, high-speed Internet access, and food and drink service. 

The company is also exploring an "add-on auto transport service" allowing travelers to bring their own cars on board to make travel even easier once they arrive at their final destination after the overnight journey, but did not give further details.

"An ostensibly two-hour flight, when one accounts for travel to and from airports, check-in and security, can take up to six hours total. With next-generation sleeper trains, the same distance can be covered in just two or three "waking" hours – and they’re not spent crammed into an 18-inch wide airline seat," the company said in a press release.

SUGGESTED COVERAGE: Vegas-California bullet train gets major funding

Brightline West, a high-speed train project that would connect Los Angeles to Las Vegas, just won a massive $3 billion grant from the Biden Administration.

Dreamstar must also sign agreements with Caltrain - the commuter rail line serving the San Francisco Peninsula and Santa Clara Valley (Silicon Valley) - and Metrolink, Southern California's commuter rail system serving Los Angeles , Orange , Riverside , San Bernardino , and Ventura counties, as well as to Oceanside in San Diego County. 

The company plans to start service - if all goes according to plan - as early as summer 2025.

Meanwhile, work is progressing on two other separate train projects in California - Brightline West's Las Vegas to Los Angeles bullet train , as well as the state's high-speed rail project. 

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Climate Forward

Trains are cleaner than planes, right.

The surprising carbon footprint of an Amtrak trip across America.

By Hiroko Tabuchi

Recently, I did something I’ve long dreamed of. I took the train across America.

The views were majestic, particularly as we swayed through the West. The Wi-Fi was bad, and the food not much better. But I wanted to do it partly because trains are cleaner than flying.

But when I got back home and crunched the numbers, I discovered something surprising: it would have been less polluting for me to have flown.

As a climate journalist, I often fly to report my articles, but I’ve always worried about the climate cost. Flying in jets that burn a lot of fuel is probably one of the most polluting things we do. By taking a flight to report on a problem, I’m basically making that problem worse by causing tons of planet-warming emissions that are heating up our planet to dangerous extremes.

So when I started to work on a story that would involve spending time with two climate scientists at Stanford University — one who wants to rid the school of fossil fuel funding, the other fully funded by Exxon — I wondered whether I could try something different.

What if I traveled from New York to Stanford by train, a method of transportation that generally has a far smaller climate footprint ?

The most direct route was to take the Lake Shore Limited train to Chicago, then the California Zephyr from Chicago to Emeryville, Calif., just outside San Francisco.

That 3,400-mile journey would take a daunting 72 hours. But I convinced my editors to let me use a work day, plus a few vacation days, to take the trip.

I was set. And I was doing my part to save the planet. Right?

Wrong. In short, I took a train across America and ended up emitting more planet-warming emissions, not less. I’ll explain why in just a bit.

The journey itself was epic . I boarded a packed train at New York Penn Station and was quickly speeding along the Hudson River at sunset. After a train change in Chicago, and traversing Iowa and Nebraska, we reached the Colorado Rockies. Our ascent from the flat plains to the green forests, then through the snow-capped Rockies, the deserts of Utah and the panoramic Sierra Nevada, was nothing short of magical.

It was also a slog. A sleeper cabin would have cost more than $2,000, so I was in an upright seat the entire trip. (Compression socks helped.) That still cost $600, about the same price flying the same route would have cost during the holiday season. I’d heard that the dining car was expensive, so I brought along vegetable sticks, crackers, cheese, hummus, instant noodles and miso soup. I tried to work on the Lake Shore Limited, but the Wi-Fi was down. There was no internet at all on the California Zephyr.

But then I did the math on my emissions.

A nonstop flight from New York to San Francisco emits, on average, about 840 pounds of carbon dioxide per economy class passenger, according to Google Flights, whose data is independently reviewed . That’s equivalent to burning 420 pounds of coal, or more than the annual emissions of someone living in Cameroon. Air travel is wildly polluting.

But what about trains? I tracked down several estimates of carbon emissions per passenger-mile, including Amtrak’s official estimate. What I got back: My cross-country train journey had emitted somewhere from 950 to 1,133 pounds of carbon dioxide per passenger.

There are a few reasons for this result. Amtrak is far cleaner than flying where its tracks are electrified, along the Northeast Corridor, from Washington to Boston. But outside the Northeast, Amtrak trains run on diesel, a highly polluting fuel.

What’s more, Amtrak’s trains are decades old. (Its single-level Amfleet cars were built in the late 1970s.) Add to that generous seat pitches, large old-fashioned private rooms for longer-distance trains, a longer, winding route across the country and “per-passenger-mile emissions go through the roof,” said Justin Roczniak , a co-host of “Well There’s Your Problem,” a podcast about engineering.

Amtrak is still the more climate-friendly option for the vast majority of travelers, who on average travel 300 to 400 miles, said Olivia Irvin, a spokeswoman for the rail company. (That is, not many people are crazy enough to go cross-country by train.) A 2022 Department of Transportation study found that traveling by train from Los Angeles to San Diego generated less than half the emissions , per passenger, of flying, or driving. For Boston to New York, an electrified route, taking the train generated less than a fifth the emissions of flying or driving.

It’s when journeys start getting longer than about 700 miles that planes start to gain an advantage on trains. Planes burn the most fuel when they take off and climb to altitude. That makes short flights very inefficient — you’re burning all that fuel only to travel a short distance. (Some countries, like France and Spain , have tried to ban the shortest flights when rail alternatives are available.)

Longer flights also tend to use larger aircraft, which provide economies of scale. And aircraft have become more fuel-efficient over the years. But choosing flights with several connections, for example, can quickly add to your footprint, because you’re taking off and landing multiple time

Flights for the same route can differ in terms of emissions by a factor of three, according to Dan Rutherford, director of research at the International Council on Clean Transportation, who advises Google on its flight emissions calculations. And comparing air and train travel can be tricky: Amtrak does not provide emissions estimates for different seat classes. Airplanes also emit other pollution like nitrogen oxides and soot, and form contrails , all of which warm the planet further.

And experts agree that aviation is going to be one of the hardest industries to decarbonize. With trains, electrification is already readily available. The technology is there. China, for example, has managed to electrify 70 percent of its train lines over the past decades and made them faster, too. And as the electric grid gets cleaner by adding more solar and wind, so will trains that run on electricity from that grid.

An electric, long-distance passenger plane is much further in our future.

Whether Amtrak will ever electrify outside of the Northeast corridor is another question, however. In America, tracks are owned by freight companies, which have resisted electrification. (Freight trains are also why some Amtrak trains stop frequently to make way. And all that stopping and starting makes America’s passenger trains even less energy-efficient.) Amtrak is currently updating its fleet with newer diesel trains, albeit ones that are less polluting and slightly faster.

One thing I did learn during my cross-country train journey: There are still a lot of Americans who love trains. The trains I took were booked solid. Among my fellow travelers were a college student traveling to see her long-distance boyfriend, and grandparents on a family trip (but they didn’t want to travel by car with their grandchildren).

But would I travel cross-country by train again? Probably not, unless Amtrak electrified the route. We can only dream.

More climate news

Only 57 oil, gas, coal and cement producers accounted for 80 percent of global fossil fuel carbon emissions in the last decade, a new report reviewed by Axios shows .

The Biden administration’s $7.5 billion investment in electric car charging has only produced seven stations in two years, The Washington Post reports .

Most of the European Union’s embattled farming subsidies go to meat and dairy products, researchers reported in The Conservation .

An earlier version of this newsletter stated incorrectly the train’s route after leaving Chicago. It traversed Iowa and Nebraska, not Indiana and Nebraska.

An earlier version of this newsletter also described incorrectly the pollution from airplanes. It contains nitrogen oxides, not nitrogen.

How we handle corrections

Hiroko Tabuchi covers the intersection of business and climate for The Times. She has been a journalist for more than 20 years in Tokyo and New York. More about Hiroko Tabuchi

Learn More About Climate Change

Have questions about climate change? Our F.A.Q. will tackle your climate questions, big and small .

“Buying Time,” a new series from The New York Times, looks at the risky ways  humans are starting to manipulate nature  to fight climate change.

Big brands like Procter & Gamble and Nestlé say a new generation of recycling plants will help them meet environmental goals, but the technology is struggling to deliver .

The Italian energy giant Eni sees future profits from collecting carbon dioxide and pumping it  into natural gas fields that have been exhausted.

New satellite-based research reveals how land along the East Coast is slumping into the ocean, compounding the danger from global sea level rise . A major culprit: the overpumping of groundwater.

Did you know the ♻ symbol doesn’t mean something is actually recyclable ? Read on about how we got here, and what can be done.

An old rail track in Northern California could become a 300-mile hiking trail

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More than a century ago, a railroad was constructed to shuttle passengers and redwood logs between San Francisco and Humboldt Bay.

Now the since-abandoned train track could be transformed into a 307-mile pathway through remote, wild country along California’s North Coast, a move advocates hope will create a world-class outdoors destination and jump-start the economy.

The Great Redwood Trail moved closer to realization this week with the release of a document mapping out the planning, construction and management of the trail in Mendocino, Trinity and Humboldt counties, or the northern portion of the envisioned path. Segments in Sonoma and Marin counties will be planned separately.

“I would put it in the category of the Pacific Crest Trail, the Appalachian Trail — these large, landscape-scale trails that provide an experience for people to see areas that they just would never have access to otherwise,” said Caryl Hart, chair of the California Coastal Commission and board member of the Great Redwood Trail Agency , which is tasked with developing the path.

If realized, the project would be the longest so-called rail trail in the country, generally following the defunct track through towering redwoods and along rushing rivers teeming with salmon . The relatively flat trail would accommodate hikers, bikers and horseback riders while potentially providing an economic infusion to small towns struggling amid the decline of logging and rise of legal cannabis .

Officials say it’s probably 20 years away from completion but will move forward section by section. Tribes are being consulted to guide the project, officials said, but some have claimed they’re being sidelined .

Hart said there’s currently no means of taking a continuous walk through vast stretches of coast redwoods — the tallest trees on Earth.

“And that’s what this is going to provide, where you can be in the forest for long periods of time,” she said, “and it really is a magical, spiritual experience.”

Seeds of the vision date to the 1980s, when the Northwestern Pacific Railroad was struggling to stay afloat. Local advocates started thinking about turning the troubled line into a trail, said Steve Madrone, board vice chair for the Great Redwood Trail Agency, then a Blue Lake City Council member who was among those pushing for the concept.

The state tried to prop up the railway, but in 1998 federal officials ordered it closed due to safety concerns. As hopes to restore it fizzled, enthusiasm for developing the trail climbed. In 2018, a law passed recognizing that the corridor could become a long-distance trail. About three years later, the Great Redwood Trail Agency was created to shepherd the transition of the 231-mile northern stretch.

Most of the trail is still just a dream, but there are some strollable segments in Ukiah, Eureka, Arcata and Blue Lake. The more than 500-page master plan identifies 40 segments across the North Coast and ranks them by feasibility, impact and readiness. Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit, or SMART, is overseeing the southern portion of the project, where the path will mostly follow a commuter rail line.

Generating particular excitement among planners is the prospect of opening up Eel River Canyon, abutting the nearly 200-mile Eel River, which runs along the northwestern coast not far from the Pacific Ocean. While it snakes through some major population centers, it’s relatively unknown due to inaccessibility and lack of infrastructure, said Marin County Supervisor Mary Sackett, board chair for the Great Redwood Trail Agency.

It’s likely to carry the highest cost of all the segments because it is remote and requires the removal of railroad debris that has washed into the river.

Besides providing access to a natural gem, “I think that this is the only chance we have to clean up that past history,” Sackett said.

Advocates say it could also be an economic lifeline for remote hamlets. Planning documents estimate the trail would bring in more than $102 million annually, with out-of towners eating, recreating and sleeping in areas that are currently off the beaten path.

Sackett said illegal cannabis — concentrated in Humboldt, Mendocino and Trinity counties — once brought in an influx of migrants and money, even as the industry devastated the environment. Hopes of large tax payouts from legal grows largely fizzled, she said.

“It really brings an opportunity for great economic vitality in some of these small areas that have been really negatively impacted by the cannabis industry,” Sackett said.

Some local agencies and community members worry the trail could increase wildfire risk and create safety hazards for trekkers, as well as invite homeless encampments and trespassing. The master plan offers potential strategies to address those issues, including coordinating with law enforcement, social services and other public agencies.

Madrone, a supervisor for Humboldt County, said tribes of Eel River Canyon have expressed significant anxiety about how the trail could affect their cultural resources and sacred sites. In January, the Ukiah Daily Journal reported that a group of Wailaki descendants and their allies, calling themselves the Kinest’e Community Coalition, demanded to be a given a more prominent seat at the table.

There are discussions about possible tribal co-management of areas of the trail, Madrone said, adding that there are promising examples of successful partnerships in other areas the line runs through, such as Humboldt County.

“There’s a lot of concern on the part of tribes, and rightfully so, about what it all means,” Madrone said. “So we have our work ahead of us to really deliver on building really strong partnerships.”

The period for public comments on the master plan runs through June 3. Next steps include kicking off a process to secure an environmental permit for the whole master plan. Individual projects may need additional environmental review, but Madrone said having the broader permit should speed things up and lower costs.

Travel & Experiences

This secret hike through California’s giant redwoods will take you to another world

Tips for visiting the spellbinding Grove of Titans in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.

June 23, 2022

Lila Seidman is a reporter focused on California wildlife and the outdoors for the Los Angeles Times. Since joining The Times in 2020, she has investigated mental health policy and jumped on breaking news. A native Angeleno, Seidman holds a bachelor’s degree from Reed College and a master’s degree from Pepperdine University.

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Trains Vs. Road Trips: Comparing The Two Based On Cost

Trains can compete with road trips on cost on some routes, but the devil is in the detail and road trips are typically cheaper overall.

• Train travel in the US can be competitive with road trips in cost, especially considering sleeper options and fuel prices.
• Trains offer a nostalgic and relaxing way to travel, while road trips provide more flexible exploration opportunities.
• While a cross-country train trip may be cheaper than a road trip, additional costs for meals and accommodation can add up rapidly.

Compared to much of the world, the cost of gasoline in the United States is relatively cheap, while the cost of train travel is comparatively expensive. But does that mean that trains are always more expensive than road trips in the United States? It turns out that American train journeys can still be competitive with road trips (with a few caveats).

The national long-distance train operator in the United States is Amtrak. Amtrak connects 46 states and three Canadian provinces and in the future, Amtrak will be offering a number of high-speed train routes . The sleeper accommodations onboard long-distance Amtrak trains can make it a relaxing alternative to driving long distances, but that doesn't necessarily mean train travel is cheaper than a road trip.

Trains Vs Road Trips An Alternative But Very Different Way To Travel

Trains offer a nostalgic and relaxing way to travel, while road trips are more flexible.

According to AAA Gas Prices, the average cost of gasoline per gallon was $3.63 for regular gasoline in April 2024. This means that the direct fuel costs of traveling by road on some routes are similar to train travel. For example, a car that gets 27 miles per gallon will cost around $24 to drive the 175 miles from Seattle to Portland, Oregon. The Amtrak ticket for the same route is $27 for Coach Class.

• Cost of Gasoline: $3.63 per gallon (regular)

Comparing the cost of a road trip with a train trip is a little complicated. Some trains are overnight trains, so passengers can choose to sleep in their coach class seats or upgrade to a Roomette or Bedroom for the night. Those going by car really need to get a hotel for the night (although camping and even free camping may be options).

One of the biggest limitations of train travel in the United States is the comparative lack of convenient and cheap mass transit at the destinations. Those getting off a train will often find it difficult to explore without a car unless they are exploring the larger cities like NYC, Chicago, and the Bay Area.

One option is to get a tour, but this adds significantly to the expense.

Here's How Much A Scenic West Coast Train Trip Will Cost

Maine to california coast to coast road trip, a 10-day portland (me) to la road trip will cost approx. $1,620 to $2,000 including approx. $517 for gasoline.

An epic coast-to-coast 10-day road trip from Portland, Maine to Los Angeles , California can expect to cost around $1,620 to over $2,000 for fuel, food (budgeting on a food allowance of $40 per day), and budget accommodation. The direct cost of fuel is around $517.

Road Trip: Portland, ME to Los Angeles:

• Fuel: Approx. $517
• Total Costs: Approx. $1,600 to over $2,000 for a 10-day trip

Expenses are estimated for single travelers. The average cost per traveler on a road trip drops when shared with other road trippers, but remains somewhat constant when traveling by train.

Some of these expenses can be reduced by spending more time driving and therefore reducing the estimated 11-day journey.

What To Know About Mexico's New Passenger Train Service (And How To Ride)

Maine to california coast to coast train trip, a 3-day nonstop train journey from portland (me) to la will cost from $274 plus food and transfers.

It is possible to book an Amtrak ticket from Portland, Maine to Los Angeles, California. But strap in, this is going to be a long ride. The journey is split into three trains and takes some 77 hours and 43 minutes or over three days of nonstop train travel.

• Duration: 77 hours 43 minutes (3.5 days)

Amtrak: Portland, ME to Los Angeles:

• Coach Class: From $274
• Business Class: From $286
• Private Room: From $1,587

This suggested itinerary theoretically makes train travel cheaper than a road trip. The Amtrak Coach-class ticket starts at $274 — considerably below the expected $517 cost of gasoline for the same route. Amtrak Coach-class tickets do not include complimentary meals (although Private Rooms do include meals and other perks ).

Passengers have the option of packing their own meals to reduce expenses or purchasing their meals on Amtrak (or a mixture of both).

Amtrak offers many vacation packages that include excursions and hotel accommodations, although these are typically more expensive than a road trip.

Surprisingly, Amtrak lists Business Class tickets for this route as starting from $286.

Private Rooms for the Portland, Maine to Los Angeles route start at $1,587 — which is at the lower end of the expected cost of the road trip. But this is still not comparable to the road trip listed above (with its reckoned on a 10-day trip). On a road trip, people are free to explore and discover various attractions en route. This train trip is just on the train with no exploring.

That being said, it is possible to break the train journey into segments and explore. But this will not only drive up the cost of the train ticket, it will also add more expenses for hotels and perhaps the cost of renting a car.

When it comes to epic train journeys, the United States has many coast-to-coast train journeys to select from plus many other scenic and international journeys. But it will typically work out cheaper to have a road trip (especially when the costs are shared with others in the car).

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News & Reviews News Wire Caltrain fully energizes electrified corridor

Caltrain fully energizes electrified corridor

51-mile San Francisco-San Jose route now fully available for test operations

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SAN FRANCISCO — Caltrain’s entire 51-mile electrification corridor between San Francisco and San Jose, Calif., has been successfully energized and tested for the first time, the commuter rail agency has announced. The milestone in the project by Caltrain, power company Pacific Gas & Electric and contractor Balfour Beatty enables full-speed testing of the electric trainsets along the entire corridor in preparation for electrified revenue service in September.

“This is a momentous step in the Caltrain Electrification project as we approach the launch of electrified service in fall 2024,” Caltrain Executive Director Michelle Bouchard said in a press release . “We want to thank PG&E and Balfour Beatty, as well as all of Caltrain and TASI’s dedicated employees and consultants for their help and coordination with this historic achievement.” [TASI is the contract operator of Caltrain services.]

The project involves two main traction power substations, in San Jose and South San Francisco, along with one switch station and seven parallel stations to distribute and regulation the electricity for the overhead catenary wire system. PGE built double-circuit 115 kV transmission connections from its substations in South San Francisco and San Jose to the Caltrain main power stations; rebuilt its substations to support Caltrain’s request for redundant transmission feeds; and upgraded three PG&E and two third-party remote end substations.

“We’re proud of collaborating with partners like Caltrain to bring safe, affordable, clean, and electrified transportation from San Jose to San Francisco and every hometown along the way,” said Teresa Alvarado, PG&E regional vice president of South Bay and Central Coast.

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7 thoughts on “ caltrain fully energizes electrified corridor ”.

Great! Plan toride when the electrics begin service. Having experienced serious quality commuting on the IC Electric from childhood on, seeing Caltrain go electric is way cool.

Can’t wait for the blackouts to leave people stranded in the blistering heat 🤣

I always want Caltrain electrifications and California High-Speed Rail in California and I always love Caltrain electrifications and California High-Speed Rail in California.

What is their top speed? What is their source of electricity?

Yes and yeah of course Caltrain Electrifications and California High-Speed Rail in California.

Yes and yeah of course California High-Speed Rail in California.

I always want Caltrain Electrifications and California High-Speed Rail in California and I always love California High-Speed Rail in California.

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California's high-speed rail project moves step closer to becoming reality

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Traveling from Los Angeles to the Bay Area in under three hours is one step closer to becoming a reality.

The board of directors for the California High-Speed Rail Authority is releasing a request for proposals to build the nation's first 220 mph electrified trains.

They hope to award a contract by the end of this year and have already requested proposals from two pre-qualified firms, Alstom Transportation, Inc. and Siemens Mobility, Inc.

This is possible, in part, due to the record $3.1 billion federal grant the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded in December 2023, which included funding for new electric trains.

By the end of the decade, officials behind the project hope there can be electrified high-speed trains in service .

The project's development has created more than 13,000 construction jobs, mostly in the Central Valley, and has environmentally cleared 422 miles for construction of the high-speed rail program from the Bay Area to the Los Angeles Basin, according to officials.

They authority says the project will eventually extend into rail connections with Sacramento and San Diego.

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• LOS ANGELES
• NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
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• PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
• HIGH SPEED RAIL

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