Tickets on Sale Now for Two Saturdays Only: April 12 &19
JAMESTOWN, Calif. – With spring in full bloom, Railtown 1897 State Historic Park (SHP) is proud to provide guests with a unique opportunity to experience spring wildflowers from aboard a train pulled by the “Movie Star Locomotive” Sierra No. 3! While the Park is open daily, special Wildflower Train Rides are available on two Saturday afternoons -- April 12 & 19 -- and depart from the Railtown 1897 Depot promptly at 4:30 p.m. Prior to boarding the train, passengers will have the opportunity to learn about the wildflowers of California’s Sierra Nevada foothills. In addition, the Tuolumne County Master Gardeners will have a display at the Park on these special days with information about gardening with native plants.
Railtown 1897’s popular Wildflower Trains feature Interpretive Park Rangers from the nearby Bureau of Reclamation’s New Melones Lake, answering questions and pointing out flower groupings along the way. Wildflower Trains take guests on a six-mile, one-hour roundtrip ride through the scenic, rolling landscapes of California’s Gold Country. Along the way, trains encounter meadows and rolling hills, with such local flora as “meadowfoam,” “goldfields” and other colorful flowers typically in bloom. Train capacity is limited, and advance reservations are suggested. With some open air seating available, wildflower train tickets are available online now at www.railtown1897.org and cost $24 for adults, $10 for youth ages 6-17 and children five and under ride free.
Railtown 1897’s regular excursion trains are operating on these two Saturdays as well with departures on-the-hour from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets for steam train excursion rides are $15 for adults, $8 for youths ages 6-17 and kids five and under are free. All train ride tickets include Park admission and are now available for advance purchase at www.railtown1897.org as well as at the ticket window beginning at 10 a.m. on the day of the ride (based on availability).
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Calendar Announcement
What:
Weekend Steam-Powered Excursion Train Rides
Where:
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, Jamestown
Dates:
Train rides - weekends beginning April 5 through September 2014
Park - open daily
Times:
Train rides - 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Park is open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Cost:
Free on April 5-6 for Calaveras, Mariposa and Tuolumne residents only (with proof of residency)
General: $15 adults, $8 youths ages 6-17, free for children 5 and under
For More:
209-984-3953 or visit www.railtown1897.org
All aboard as Railtown 1897 State Historic Park resumes its popular steam-powered excursion train rides through California’s scenic Gold Country! While the Park is open daily, on weekends beginning April 5-6, guests will enjoy a memorable six-mile, 45-minute round trip ride along the rails of the famous “Movie Railroad.” To kick off the new season, excursion train rides will be offered behind “Movie Star Locomotive” Sierra No. 3 on opening weekend. Plus, local residents from Calaveras, Mariposa and Tuolumne counties can visit the Park and ride completely free with proof of residency this first weekend only. And, Railtown 1897 visitors can also enjoy other opening weekend festivities such as live music, tours of the historic Roundhouse and demonstrations of the historic, belt-driven machine shop and behind-the-scenes tours of work being done on Sierra No. 28. Capacity is limited for steam-powered excursion train rides so guests are encouraged to arrive early. Tickets are available online in advance or in person on a first-come, first-served basis at the ticket window beginning at 10 a.m. on the days the trains are running. After opening weekend, Railtown 1897 SHP plans to offer steam-powered excursion train rides behind Sierra No. 3 on Saturdays and vintage diesel locomotives on Sundays through the operating season. Additionally, diesel train rides will be offered on Wednesdays throughout the summer season (July 9 through August 27). Visitors are encouraged to call 209-984-3953 or visit www.railtown1897.org for updated information.
About Railtown 1897 State Historic Park
Operated by California State Parks with assistance from the nonprofit California State Railroad Museum Foundation, Railtown 1897 State Historic Park offers year-round tours plus train rides weekends April-October. Known as “The Movie Railroad,” the Park and its trains have been featured in hundreds of feature films, TV shows, and commercials. The Park is located at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Reservoir Road in Jamestown, reached by highways 49/108. Railtown 1897 State Historic Park is open daily (except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day) and the Park’s operating hours vary by season: April-October, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; November-March, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. For more information, call Railtown 1897 State Historic Park at (209) 984-3953, or visit our website at www.railtown1897.org
