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4 reviews for Railtown 1897 State Historic Park
I am a rail history nut, so I expected to pretty much lose my mind upon entering Railtown 1897 S.H.P. Though the park is amazing, I think I need to go back in cooler weather to appreciate the trains on display. I am a city mouse unaccustomed to such heat, and I surprised myself by losing interest in the guided tour halfway through.
The tour guides and staff were friendly and did their best to keep everyone's spirits up during the heat, but I would caution anyone who is going to think their plans carefully with regard to heat. I think due o the location of the park, there doesn't seem to be respite from the heat anywhere in the park (even in the shade, the air was still and stifling), although I imagine that a steam locomotive trip (weekends only) may have perked me up a bit.
I really like that the building is original, despite previous fires and damage, and think that more interpretative signs about the building would pique visitor's interest. I was also interested in the freight trains still using the industrial lead and would suggest adding some signage making the connection between past and present rail traffic. The roundhouse is beautiful, and the restoration work on the various locomotives is amazing!
You don't have to be a movie fan, train fan or California history fan to enjoy a fantastic family day here, but chances are you will leave one, both or all three.
This railroad, aside from offering an hour long tour pulled via steam engine, has one of the last operating roundhouses in the US. The trains have been used for many movies and TV shows such as Petticoat Junction and Back to the Future.
Aside from the railroad allure there are also live demonstration of what it was like for the people living and working in the Gold Rush era. Entrance and train rides are super cheap as it was only $8 for adults and kids are only a few bucks. There are also self guided walking tours of the historic town replica.
In my opinion this is one of the coolest things in the California Central Valley for a tourist or anyone whom lives in the valley and hasn't ever seen it yet. Makes for a really fun day that you will never forget.
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CHO-CHO, CHUG-CHUG-CHUG, CHO-CHO!
LOOK OUT, WILD FLOWER TRAIN COMING DOWN THE TRACK!
ALL ABOARD! ALL ABOARD! THE WILDFLOWER TRAIN!
In the Spring this STEAM POWERED TRAIN departs at 4:30 on two special Saturday excursions. The one-hour trips into California's SCENIC GOLD COUNTRY take you into the hills and meadows to view the SPRING WILDFLOWERS.
Kids will love this SPECIAL TRAIN RIDE that includes Park Rangers from the New Melones Recreation Resource Center. I too loved this train ride and it has been a L-O-N-G T-I-M-E since anyone but my mommy would consider me a kid!
A special stop is included where passengers can get off and scatter wildflower seeds in a meadow. P.S. I brought mine home - it was kosher to do so!
Check the website for the dates of the Wildflower Excursion next spring. Get your reservations in early. There are only two weekends that the wildflowers are cooperative and blooming (how in the heck they know when that is going to be, beats me!). There are only a limited number of trips and a limited number of seats. You are going to want one!
Website: http://www.parks.ca.gov
Check the link for the WILDFLOWER TRAIN!
CHO-CHO, CHUG-CHUG-CHUG, CHO-CHO!
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Honestly, I can't put my finger on why exactly this is a 4-star train ride, compared to all the others we've taken. Maybe it's just that it's hotter than stink in them California Hills in summertime, which is when we were there. And not a lot of shade to cool you off. But come to think of it, the ever-so-nice volunteer staff were selling homemade rootbeer floats on the lawn, so that was nice.
The full size round-house with turntable is really cool. They call this the "Movie Railroad" because the locomotives and cars have appeared in more than 200 movies and TV shows. They do have a nice museum-type display here, but it's nowhere near the size and scope of the Cal RR Museum in Sacramento (with which it is affiliated).
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