Historic Rail Tours - Ride on historic trains through some of California's most scenic landscapes. You might also bump into some very colorful characters.

Don't miss this opportunity to go on a short train ride through the Golden State. Experience the vintage rolling stock and period atmosphere. Steam locomotives, diesel enginges, and sometimes even trolleys are used for these rail tours.

1880 Roaring Camp Railroad
Santa Cruz Beach Train
Redwood Forest Steam Train
This logging village, founded in 1842, was named Roaring Camp for its wild ways. 25 years later the local redwoods were protected from logging activity and in 1875 the first steam engine train tour rides were started. Watch for the many special event rides, moonlight dinner rides and local festivals during the year.

Sacramento Southern RR
California State Railroad Musuem - Old Sacramento
Every weekend April-September, ride behind a real steam locomotive. The Sacramento Southern RR departs every hour for a six mile scenic roundtrip departing the giant CSRM Complex of meticulously maintained railroad exhibits.

San Diego Railroad Museum - Campo CA
Large collection of vintage locomotives and railcars. Train rides run twice a day on Sat/Sun (and some holidays) on a 16-mile loop pulled by a vintage diesel or steam locomotive. Once or twice a month a special 3-hour excursion runs to Tecate, Mexico.

Shasta Sunset Dinner Train - Mt Shasta CA
Guests take a nostalgic three hour train ride through spectacular scenary featuring elegant dining aboard restored vintage rail cars. Special events include the fall Pumpkin Trains and New Years Eve Dinner Train.

Skunk Train - Fort Bragg CA
One of the Most Scenic Railroads in North America. The view from the restored rail cars is pretty much unchanged: towering trees, deer drinking from the Noyo River, an isolated fisherman's cabin peeking from the forest. With occasional whistles as it chugs through tunnels, over bridges and past open meadows, the train follows the coastal "Redwood Route" as it has since 1885.

Smith Ranch & Julian Railroad
Pioneer adventureland recreates life of the early 1800's including working ranch, train rides and a tour of their 1870's gold mine. The original miners had actually used wooden railroad track.

Sonoma Traintown Railroad
Traintown is a children's amusement park featuring a four mile train ride, carousel, ferris wheel, petting zoo, roller-coaster and other attractions.

Yreka Western Railroad
The Blue Goose - Scenic Excursion Train
Excursion's depart from the 1889 Yreka Depot and run up the Shasta River Valley to Montague Railroad Museum.

California VIP Railroad Tours
Explore the Golden State - (Keyword: California Rail Tour)

More California Raillines
Funzone for adults and children:
Swanton Pacific Railroad - Monterey Bay - 1/3 scale steam locomotives built for the 1915 Exposition.

Rail Tour Festivals
Dunsmuir Railroad Days [JUL] Mount Shasta - Historic Train show and rides

USS Midway [CV-41] -
Aircraft Carrier - Scout Group Sleepover
The USS Midway was the longest-serving carrier in the history of the U.S. Navy. Today she has embarked as a museum, tribute and education center. This museum features over 28 exhibits and excess to many important areas of this great warship. Midway is available for a variety of military ceremonies including reenlistments, retirements, change of commands, promotions, pinnings, and commissionings.

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U.S.S. Hornet Museum [CV-12]
Historic Aircraft Carrier that played a major part in the Pacific Sea Battles of World War II, the Vietnam War and was later instrumental in the recovery of the Apollo 11 and 12 astronauts. Today this floating museum features ship tours and exhibits of historic vintage and modern combat aircraft and weaponry and a exciting flight simulator ride. Sleepover activities available for families and youth groups in the crew quarters with meals served in the mess hall.

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California State Historic Parks
Discover the role railroading played in the history of our state.

California Modern Rail Service

California Amtrak
Passenger Rail Service
Amtrak California (CDTX) is a brand name used by the Caltrans Division of Rail for all state-supported Amtrak rail routes within California. It also includes an extensive network of Thruway Motorcoach bus connections, operated by private companies under contract.
Amtrak Website
Amtrak California - CalTrans Rail Info
Carnames - names of Amtrak California Railcars.

California Zephyr - Chicago to San Francisco - Daily Run
California Capitol Corridor - San Jose / Oakland / Sacramento / Auburn - Multiple daily runs
Coast Starlight - Seattle / Sacramento / Los Angeles - A Grand West Coast Adventure - Daily Run
Pacific Surfliner - San Luis Obispo / Santa Barbara / Los Angeles / San Diego - equipped with bicycle and surfboard racks / multiple dialy runs
San Joaquin Valley - Multiple Daily Runs
Southwest Chief - Chicago to Los Angeles - daily run
Sunset Limited - New Orleans to Los Angeles - 3x weekly
Texas Eagle - San Antonio to Los Angeles - 3x weekly

Union Pacific Railroad [UP]
Union Pacific operates North America's premier railroad franchise, covering 23 states in the western two-thirds of the United States.
Railroad Website - Company Services
Careers at Union Pacific - Current Job Listings
UPRR History - History and Photo Gallery
Union Pacific Historical Society - past and present.
UP YouTube Video - Longest UP Fright Train - Montebello CA.

Burlington Northern & Santa Fe [BNSF]
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway operates services and in the mid and western United States.
BNSF Website - Company Services
Careers at BNSF - Current Job Listings
BNSF Store - Official accessories, apparel and collectables
BNSF YouTube Video - Monster BNSF Stack Train at Metrolink Commerce Station in Southern California.

California Metro Light Rail Service
Commuter Shortline Service
Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority [VTA]
North County Sprinter [NCTD] - San Diego

California Raillines
Central Oregon and Pacific RR - Weed CA - operates the Siskiyou Line from Springfield Jct. (Eugene), Oregon to Black Butte,California and the Coos Bay Line.
Sacramento Valley RR - Shorthaul rail service in Sacramento.
Sierra Northern RR - Shortline freight service serving Sacramento Valley.

California Railroads
Amtrak California - Passenger Rail Service
California High Speed Rail Authority - state agency planning future high speed rail network.
North Coast Railroad Authority - Mendocino Co

California Rail Blogs
Feather River Rail Blog
California High Speed Rail Blog
California Train Photo Gallery - Photos News and info on Trains in California. Union Pacific Trains Photos and California Maps. BNSF Trains Photos and California Maps.
Rail Passenger Association of California and Nevada

California Rail Service Contractors
Summit Signal - Willits CA - a railroad signaling and construction company
Industrial Railways - San Pablo CA - railroad track contractors, designers & engineers.

Corte Madera California Marin Suites Hotel
Location: Corte Madera Town Center - Tamalpais Dr exit from US-101
This resort hotel features heated outdoor pool / a fitness center with a dry sauna / and a business center with a computer and printer. In-room amenities include a hair dryer / ironing board and iron / coffee / and a fully equipped kitchen.

California Railroad Museums

California State Railroad Museum - Old Sacramento
A giant six-building complex of historic facilities and unique attractions that is widely regarded as North America's most popular railroad museum. Throughout the year, experience lavishly restored trains, engaging exhibits, and unique special events.

Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum - Nevada City CA
Visitors are offered a docent-led historical tour of the museum, rail yard, and restoration shop. Exhibited in the main gallery is Engine 5, an 1875 Baldwin train engine.

South Coast Railroad Museum - Goleta CA
Museum includes an old Southern Pacific caboose, a 300-square-foot HO model railroad layout, and many other pieces of railroading memorabilia.

Western Pacific Railroad Museum - Plumas County
Feather River Rail Blog
Home to North America's largest and most complete collection dedicated to telling the story of one railroad. It is also one of the few places where you can experience rail history in a truly "hands-on" way.

More California Railroad Museums
Other railroading theme exhibits in the state:
Ferry Depot Museum - Marin Co - Tiburon waterfront railroading history exhibits.
Fortuna Depot Museum - Humboldt Coast - Eel River Valley Railroad History
Sacramento Valley Live Steamers - Rancho Cordova CA - miniature train rides
Folsom Railroad Museum - Growing collection indoor/outdoor railroad exhibits maintained by the Folsom, El Dorado & Sacramento Historical Railroad Association.
Railroad Square Historic District - Downtown Santa Rosa - Restaurant and Antique Row tourism district.
Redwood Empire Live Steamers - Santa Rosa - miniature train rides

Palm Springs Marquis Villas Resort Hotel Location: So Calle Encilla;
Scenic views of the majestic San Jacinto Mountains and set right in the heart of downtown Palm Springs, the Marquis Villas offers complete comfort and charm. Pass the day by the pool set in a beautiful garden courtyard, get a game of tennis, or a good workout at the resort's fitness facility.

Model Railroad Displays

Golden State Model Railroad Museum - Point Richmond CA
10,000 square foot Museum features highly-detailed model train layouts representing prototypical scenery in Northern and Central California. See freight and passenger trains typical of the steam era through modern day diesels.

San Diego Model Railroad Museum - Balboa Park
Worlds largest operating model railroad museum. Besides four enormous scale model railroad layouts, there are many other exhibits and interactive displays.

California Model Railroad Exhibits
High Sierra Model Railroad Club - Chico CA
Los Angeles Model Railroad Society -
Napa Valley Model Railroad Historical Society -
Pasadena Model Railroad Club -
Sacramento Model Railroad Society -
South Shasta Model RR - Gerber, CA -
California Southern Model Railroad Club - Norwalk CA
Western Sierra Model Railroad Club - Kern County Museum

Model Railroad Hobby Shops

Railroad Hobbies - Roseville CA

Bruce's Train Shop - Sacramento CA

Railroad Express - Novato CA