The Museum grounds are open 363 days a year, with railway operations every weekend and on some holidays. We also a number of special events throughout the year. Parking is always free.
July 31
Summer Evening Trolley Festival
-and-
Night Time Photography Event
Museum members- it's time again for our annual evening trolley operations, featuring special equipment operations. The fun starts with a "bring your own beef" barbeque, where we provide the side dishes and other fixins' along with the grill, and you bring your own main course to be cooked. We'll start with Hors d'oeurves at 5:30 pm. After dinner its time for trolley rides!
You
must be a Museum member (or a guest of one) to attend this event. You can
buy a membership the day of the event if you wish.
New this year we have added a formal night time photograph session component. Two renowned railroad photographers, Michael Ripley and Steve Crise, will be on hand with professional lighting and will direct photo sessions at the Grizzly Flats turntable and the streetcar street scene in front of the Los Angeles Railway carhouse.
September 11
Railroadiana Swap Meet
Southern California ’s largest outdoor railroadiana meet 9 am to 2 pm. Railroad antiques, collectibles, art, books, model and toy trains.
This is a gated event. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for children 5-11 or; included with all-day pass for trolley and train rides $12 adults, children 5-11 $7. Exhibitors, setup begins at 7 am, bring your own tables and chairs, space available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Non-members exhibitor fee is $18, and helpers are also $18.
October 24
Toy Train Meet
The Toy Train Operating Society Southern Pacific Division is holding their 4th annual Toy Train meet and Barbeque 9am - 2pm. The Toy Train meet is open to all.
Free vendor table space (8:30 am setup), bring your own tables. $7 BBQ lunch will begin serving at 11:30. A Bob Wall special train raffle begins at 1 pm. Lunch and raffle are open to all TTOS SP members and their guests.
November
6 - 7, 11
13 - 14
Day Out With Thomas™
Early Bird Ticket Discount!
Thomas the Tank Engine is here! Day Out With Thomas™ offers an opportunity for children and their grownups to take a 25 minute ride with Thomas the Tank Engine™ and to have their picture taken with Sir Topham Hatt™, the Superintendent of the Railroad. Every event includes Thomas & Friends™ storytelling, a viewing station for Thomas & Friends videos, temporary tattoos, and an Imagination Station.
The activities on site at a Day Out With Thomas™ are for you and your children to enjoy for several hours or more. Please plan your arrival time accordingly. You should arrive no later than one hour prior to your scheduled departure.
Click here for more information and to purchase advance tickets
Special Early Bird Discount: All tickets only $14 before September 1
Steam Operations
Schedule
Click
here for a brief video about the steam engine (YouTube)
Check out the Steam Experience for the ultimate day for any steam fan
Available year 'round
Charter Program
Your group can charter a trolley or train for a very reasonable rate. It makes the perfect school field trip, and hundreds of children from throughout Southern California visit with us each year. Charters normally consist of rides on two different trolleys, a train ride on our mainline, and a guided tour of the Museum grounds (allow 2 to 3 hours).
Charters are offered on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9 am to 1 pm. Due to staffing considerations and other activities at the Museum, certain days are not available for charters.
School Groups: $5.00 per student (through high school), minimum charge is $150.00 (30 students).
Adult Groups: $7.00 per adult, $5.00 per child under age 12. Minimum charge is $210 (30 adults).
Click here for complete details
Available year 'round
Click here for more details
Available year 'round
Locomotive Cab Rides
Among our first happy customers
Cab rides are available on a space available basis during regular operating days. You must be holding a regular ride ticket and there will be an additional charge of $10.00 per person on diesel powered trains, and $20.00 on the steam engine, children must be at least 5 years old to participate. Certain restrictions apply. See the ticket agent for details.
"Run One"
Operate a real locomotive on the museum railway!
More fun than any train simulator!
Rentals are available on weekends, Mondays,
Wednesdays and Fridays. This activity is very popular and sometimes books up
well in advance of available days. Please call
the Museum at (951) 943-3020 for availability. Please note that there
are no "Run Ones" in November.
Rates: Diesel switcher, $190.00 per hour, Southern Pacific U-25-B
3100 is $248 per hour, and Santa Fe FP-45 locomotive 98 is $298 per hour. You will receive instruction and operate the locomotive under the
supervision of one our experienced engineers. Each rental includes one engineer’s cap and certificate of accomplishment plus a huge sense of control!
Reservations required (via credit card) at least two (2) weeks in advance with deposit. No refunds for no shows unless severe weather conditions (Heavy rain, floods, high winds, snow). Normally locomotives will run rain or shine. If in doubt contact the Museum at (951) 943-3020
Up to four (4) persons may share a rental hour. Engineer minimum age is
18, however, 5 years and older may ride along with an adult.
Watch
the video below.
Limited Dates Only !
The Steam Experience
The Steam Experience is the ultimate day for anyone who has ever wanted to operate a real steam locomotive. Participants arrive at 7:30 am and spend the morning with the crew learning about both the engine and helping get it ready for operation. Then it’s off to the Mainline for a full hour behind the throttle! Your Steam Experience will be an unforgettable memory, or it also makes a great gift. Cost is $499, with reservations made through the Museum office, call (951) 943-3020.
2010 Available Dates:
January 16 SOLD OUT
February 20-21 SOLD OUT
March 20-21 SOLD OUT
April 17 -April 18 SOLD OUT
May 15-16 SOLD OUT
Please note: operation of historic equipment is always "subject to availability".
- Updated 7/20/10 -
