All aboard the California State Railroad Museum's popular excursion railroad--the Sacramento Southern Railroad.   2013 marks the 30th consecutive season the excursion trains have been operating in Old Sacramento. Train rides include closed coach cars, open-air gondolas and a first-class observation car pulled by vintage diesel locomotives from the Museum's collection. 

Days of operation: Saturdays and Sundays; April 6 through September 29, 2013
Hours of operation: every hour on the hour, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Departure location: Central Pacific Railroad Freight Depot in Old Sacramento (located on Front Street between J and K Streets).
Tickets: Regular Coach:  $10 adults, $5 youths (ages 6-17), ages 5 and under ride free. 
                First Class El Dorado Car:  $15 per person, ages 5 and under ride free

Advance Sales for First Class Tickets - Buy Here

The El Dorado Observation Lounge Car

Ride in First Class style aboard El Dorado, an elegant 1920s Southern Pacific observation lounge car. Sit back in luxury and air conditioned comfort or step outside on the observation platform for a beautiful view of the Sacramento River.  Enjoy a scenic, 45-minute ride along the Sacramento River as you are served lemonade and cookies!  

Since 1984, more than one million guests have taken a ride aboard the Sacramento Southern Railroad, served by all-volunteer crews fully trained and certified under Federal Railroad Administration regulations.  Each spring, the Sacramento Southern Railroad takes center stage as visitors enjoy the sights, smells and sounds of authentic locomotives as they roll along the levees of the Sacramento River.  Appealing to all ages, the experience offers guests the chance to experience train travel from an earlier era.

Excursion trains depart from the Central Pacific Railroad Freight Depot in Old Sacramento (located on Front Street between J and K Streets). Guests are treated to a six-mile, 45-minute roundtrip excursion along the levees of the Sacramento River pulled by vintage diesel locomotives.

Regular Coach excursion train tickets are $10 adults, $5 youths (ages 6-17), ages 5 and under ride free. For passengers desiring a ride aboard the First Class El Dorado - a beautifully restored 1920s lounge observation car which offers large picture windows, plush seating and air conditioning - tickets are $15 per person - children 5 and under ride free.

During the operating season, April - September, tickets for Sacramento Southern Railroad excursion train rides are available on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 10:30 a.m. at the Sacramento Southern Railroad ticket office, located on Front Street between "J" and "K" Streets in Old Sacramento. To reserve the entire First Class car for a regularly scheduled train ride, April through September, please call 916-445-2560.

Members Ride Free!
Members of the California State Railroad Museum
ride free in coach seating. 

Click here to learn more about Membership