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Niles Canyon Railway - Niles Station
37001 Mission Blvd
(between Duarte Ave & East Nursery Ave)
Fremont, CA 94536
(925) 862-9063
(between Duarte Ave & East Nursery Ave)
Fremont, CA 94536
(925) 862-9063
4 reviews for Niles Canyon Railway - Niles Station
Niles Canyon Railway isn't just for kids, it's for adults too! What a great hidden gem in the bay area, I am not sure how I lived here for 12 years without hearing about this cool little local get away. This is a non-profit ran place with some nice locals who like to show you their big train set. The cars are old and not so nice, however it makes you feel like you are back in the hay day when riding the train was the only way to get across country unless you like riding on a horse.
The staff was very friendly and helpful at the station and on the train, the hot coco on the train was a life saver since it was cold and wet the day we took the tour. I have told many friends about this place since going this last weekend and I am pretty sure I will be back when they have their wine train or for company event.
I've liked trains ever since I was about one... and now that I have 3 little boys of my own, I feel comfortable embracing my inner dork and looking for a wide range of wacky weekend activities. This is a good one.
The Niles Canyon Railway is ostensibly a branch line that brought the original transcontinental railroad from its hub in Sacramento out to the SF Bay. On Sundays the volunteers here run several old school passenger trains between Fremont and Sunol so that you can enjoy some of that old world experience and check out the scenery. There is a lot of good hillside and nature to see out here, though it was likely better before all of the adjoining motorways came to town a few decades back.
The volunteers have also setup small model railroads at both this station and in Sunol so that your little people can have a turn to drive and be entertained while waiting for the big train.
You can board at either the Sunol Depot (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) or here in Fremont for the round trip. The station here in Fremont appears to be under renovation; at this point it is literally a small ticket window and a another small tent for shade on the side of the rails.
Tip: get in line early when the train arrives to score yourself a seat in the covered outdoor car. Best views and shade are a good combo.
All aboard!
First, MAJOR safety precaution as the tour guide pulls out a safari like machete and chops a bottle in half in attempt to wow the crowd with a "ninja like" opening trick... not so much.
Next, better be VIP of you are sitting in the 1949 air conditioned death chamber with little knee space and a loudspeaker of ninja master in your ear.
Better bring your own bottle, the 1 oz pours every 30 min are not conducive to a friendly buzz which is necessary to withstand nijna idiots side comments and the blazing speed (3mph) of the broke ass caboose.
Hope you like the overpass, or 10 oz of cheese slices. They come in packs and ask for a grape? Watch out for Leslie. She's a bit stingy.
Charles gets a shout out. He was chill, however, it was first tour, I'm sure he will turn as sour as the Petit Syrah soon.
Overall, pass Sunol with great speed, head to Danville or Walnut Creek and dine in one of the fine restaurants that will pour you a full glass.
This weekend the hubby, 2 friends, and I took to the rails for a lazy Sunday afternoon ride through Sunol aboard the Niles Canyon wine train (I know who would have thunk.... a wine train in the East Bay.... don't they only have that in Napa??) I had to check it out!!
The ride starts with a the sommiler/ tour guide sabering (basically chopping or slicing it the top off) a bottle of champagne without breaking it (neat-o right??) and telling us a little bit about the tour we were about to embark on. We boarded at 3 pmish and got to choose our seating - TIP: make sure you get in line early since the covered outdoor seating fills up fast and the ride is in the sun most of the time and it gets hot sitting out in the open seating (there is also full covered car seating but we didn't get a chance to check that out).
We chose our seats in the open car after we had received our souvenir glassware and plates. Once the train is ready to go the servers start to pass out the first course of champagne (yummy) and appetizer course (cheddar and pink lady apple). Then the train starts and the tour guide begins to give you the basics on wine tasting 101. About 20-30 mins after that (and every 20-30 mins throughout the trip) you get another wine and cheese pairing totaling 5 altogether. For our trip we tasted 1 champagne, 1 white wine, and 3 reds - but I believe it is different each time you go so you may want to check the website for details.
Some good notes -
1. They feature all locally made wines (our were all from the Livermore Valley area) and were all very tasty!!
2. The scenery was beautiful and relaxing and the guides on the train are very knowledgeable about the area and are more than willing to answer any questions you may have.
3. Each sitting area was private enough that you can have a conversation with your group without really bothering anyone else (or having to hear about anyone else's sordid lives)
4. The price was very reasonable for what you get (2 hour train ride and 5 food/wine pairings).
The bad -
1. The outside seating is in the full sun - make sure to bring a hat/sunblock - we got burned (our fault but keep it in mind)
2. The tour guide talked wayyyyy too much - it was hard to have a conversation since the speakers were loud where we were sitting and he talked practically the whole time (informative - but too much).
3. There are bathrooms on the train but keep in mind when the train stops and you have to use the restroom - so does every one else it seems...
4. They only run this during the summer (the last one will be held for this year on Aug 31, 2008)
** Side note this trip is only for adults 21 and older so keep that in mind when making reservations **
Overall it was a wonderful local experience and a good time was had by all - I recommend this if you want something laid back to do during the summer and especially if you like to try a few different kinds of wine in a laid-back, non-pretentious setting.
