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Orange Empire Railway Museum Inc
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
11 reviews for Orange Empire Railway Museum Inc
11 reviews in English
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Review from Anthony B.
Riverside, CA
Never knew this place existed until I met some of their reps at the IE Food Truck Festival. I'm glad I did!
If you are interested in trains, be it riding them, looking at them, etc. then this is definitely a place of interest. There is a fair bit to see and do overall. They have numerous museum areas as well as trains you can ride on (for a small fee). During some of the rides you are giving a small verbal history.
All this and it's staffed by volunteers. Amazing stuff. The day we visited they were setting up an old school train set on a very large table. The other bit I noticed during my visit here was that they have trains from around the world, to look at, not just within America. -
Review from Stefanie D.
Los Angeles, CA
12/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
Came here for the "Day out with Thomas" event and survived! ... the place was a crowded! Interesting historical Railroad museum that I never knew existed. If your into trains, this is the place for you.
Good for kids and adult train enthusiasts as there are many older trains displayed where you can see and touch and some that you can ride on. -
Review from Scott G.
11/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
Ok, so I had NO IDEA that this is where I was really heading, even as I was on my way! How does that make sense? Well, the bride had booked us "A Day with Thomas." I wasn't really sure what this meant and she was short on details too, so now do you see how the above is possible? All I knew was that we were going to ride a full-size version of Thomas and I knew my little one would love it. Well, it turns out the event was hosted by the Orange Empire Railway Museum.
Now, I have never been to a railway museum and didn't really know what to expect. Basically, think like a large fairground or park that has a bunch of old rail cars and buildings transplanted on it. The property is pretty spread out, so expect to do some walking. And, this is not like a traditional museum where things are all orderly; in fact, in some places it resembles more of a junkyard.
However, if you are like me and are fascinated by the past, it is a junkyard full of wonder. There are all sorts of trains, trolleys, buses and so forth in various stages of disrepair and restoration. Because the place is not very "museum-like" you can kind of free form your way around, board some stuff and certainly get up close and personal.
The highlight for me was seeing an old Red Car from LA in full restoration running on the track within the museum grounds for all to ride and enjoy. I have always been fascinated by the fact that LA, at one time, had the second best rail system in the world and it was all sadly dismantled by the oil and tire industry many years ago in an effort to sell more cars. So, to see this part of my hometown's past in all her glory was pretty darn cool.
I wish I would have had more time there and I wish I would have gone alone. Ha! That sounds bad, but what I mean is that I would really, truly enjoy just hunting and pecking around there and I GUARANTEE that no one else in my family would want to join me. Maybe, someday. Until then, I will ride the Metro, close my eyes and pretend I have been transported back to 1945...Listed in: Only as a parent..., The 909 & Beyond...
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Review from SubPrimeTime T.
Escondido, CA
So we survived the the Day Out With Thomas event here at the Orange Empire Railway Museum.
I guess I underestimated just how popular Thomas was. This place was a madhouse!
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
- The Thomas Train Ride wasn't worth it. You drive two miles through Perris, CA. A few stray dogs, people hiding in bushes, and trash everywhere. I'm not even sure if the kids enjoyed it.
- The other trains and trolleys were fun.
- Food court included California Pizza Kitchen and Carl's Jr.
- No, I wouldn't go again next year.
- Read my previous review on the train museum when Thomas isn't there.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/27/2010
On a cooler day, it's a nice place for a picnic and some train / trolley viewing. On a hot… Read more »
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Review from Alex K.
6/26/2007 1 photo
Back in the late 50's the Los Angeles City council decided that the massive streetcar, tram and subway system we had wasn't necessary. The roads and freeways are clear, the streetcars are dirty and no one fixes them, most everyone can afford an automobile, and gas is so cheap - "Let's replace them all with modern buses!" ...and so they did.
Fortunately for you, a core group of die-hard train buffs managed to get their hands on some property and grabbed a whole bunch of the system before it was sold to Argentina - and have set it up here. Really! It's like a massive train set - but with *real* trains. It shows what a bunch of volunteers can do who really (really) like trains.
Have you ever met someone who was into fixing old classic automobiles and seen what a beautiful job they did with paint, leather & chrome?
This place is like that - but at a level that has to be seen to be believed. Prepare to be amazed. These guys restore old trains with the same dedication to detail. Countless hours, weekends and sweat have gone into making some of these trains look as good or better than the day they were made. Trains and locomotives are just a bit bigger than automobiles - it's damn impressive.
Many have been completely restored so, best of all, you can explore them - inside and out - and ride them, (soon, behind a restored steam locomotive).
I finally made it out here for the first time recently and riding through a glen of trees and a little valley in an old LA street car is a bit surreal. In my lifetime I never saw them. As a kid I only saw bits of track here and there, pictures, stories from neighbors - and was always sort of curious.
The breeze on your face, the creaking of the wood - seeing the map of the old system on the wall, advertisements for long gone restaurants, clothes shops on Wilshire, bars in Hollywood...
Knowing you're seeing, feeling & touching real history (albeit recent history) you could almost convince yourself you were there. I suppose it's a bit like an LA time machine. Not to be missed - a great Saturday.
Website is:
http://www.oerm.org/ -
Review from Tyson F.
East Bay
11/17/2010
We're allowed to wander around train yards, train houses, and in and out of old trains unsupervised. Lots of surprises- I even came across a coffin. My 3 year old daughter may have had as much fun here as she had at Disneyland.
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Review from Mark K.
Temecula, CA
2/20/2010
This place is great for kids. Especially ones who are obsessed with trains. Once or twice a year, you can see Thomas the Tank Engine here.
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Review from Lily S.
Perris, CA
4/13/2011
This is an amazing place. I personally do not have kids yet, so the first time I went was with my boyfriend. If you are looking for something to do with your loved one but do not have that much money to spend, like us because we are college students then this would be something to consider. It is an inexpensive date because it is a free museum and the people there are volunteers and they love what they do so, they make the experience very pleasant they are very knowledgeable as well. I was impressed! The second time I took my godchildren and they had a blast! They also have a lot of trees and tables so that you can also have a picnic and enjoy the scenery. I would definitely recommend to anyone!
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Review from Tom M.
Washington D.C., DC
1/16/2011
This is a huge place with a combination of restored and need-to-be-restored trains. The many restored trains and streetcars look like they just like they did when they came out of the factory 50 or more years ago. Lots to see and do; kids and train buffs will love this place.
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Review from Jennifer D.
Fontana, CA
7/11/2010
We LOVE the train museum. We just got a membership there and held our son's bday party at the caboose! Everyone had such a great time riding trains and exploring the grounds...it was awesome. We have been out there for Thomas the Train, Santa Train a couple little day trips and now my son's party. Great experience every time. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy it under the trees! Hoping to go to the pumpkin train this year!
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Review from Weihan W.
Pleasanton, CA
2/20/2010
Good little place for weekend picnic with small kids. Not crowded at all, so perfect for snapping family pictures.
