Ongoing Tuesdays (10:00 - Noon) Event -- Railtown 1897 Offers Behind-the-Scenes Shop Tours

JAMESTOWN, Calif. - Railtown 1897 State Historic Park (SHP) will now offer special, behind-the-scenes Shop Tours on Tuesday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon on an ongoing basis beginning March 26, 2013. Interested visitors will be treated to an up-close and personal view of routine maintenance and specialized work happening on current projects in the historic Roundhouse as well as in the Tri-Dam shop (a Cold War-era machine shop used to repair, replace or service parts for operating equipment, cars, steam and diesel locomotives). Keep in mind, parts for steam engines -- and sometimes vintage diesel locomotives -- cannot be purchased and must be manufactured on-site making Railtown 1897 SHP one of the most accessible places around to watch this specialized work being performed. Along with educating visitors about our fascinating rail history, maintaining and repairing steam engines and diesels is an important part of the mission of Railtown 1897 SHP.

The weekly two-hour Shop Tours begin with a brief slide show that provides background of current projects to date. After the video, a knowledgeable volunteer host will guide visitors to the historic shops to meet and ask questions of skilled paid and volunteer staff who are actively working on projects and activities that keep the historic shops alive.

Widely known as "The Movie Railroad" due to the hundreds of films and movies that have been shot on-location at the historic site, Railtown 1897 SHP is home to the Historic Jamestown Shops and Roundhouse of the Sierra Railway. This one-of-a-kind attraction combines industrial heritage and railroad history with the lore of Hollywood's film industry. The Railtown 1897 Interpretive Center, the authentic roundhouse and shops, and the Depot Store (a railroad specialty gift shop) are among the Park's unique year-round offerings.

Open daily, Railtown 1897 SHP Shop Tours are included with Park admission, which is as follows: $5 for adults, $3 for youths ages 6-17 and free for children five and under. More information about the Shop Tours or Railtown 1897 SHP is available by calling 209-984-3953.

May 11, 2013 (11:00 - 3:00) Event -- Railtown 1897 Celebrates Railroading As Part of "National Train Day"!

JAMESTOWN, Calif. - On Saturday, May 11, Railtown 1897 State Historic Park (SHP) will proudly participate in the sixth annual National Train Day, an event designed to celebrate American railroading, trains and train travel in cities all across the country. Coordinated in conjunction with California State Parks and Amtrak®, the event offers a variety of special activities at Railtown 1897 SHP that remains as the only intact steam-era roundhouse and shop facility in California, and one of just two in the U.S.

On National Train Day, visitors to Railtown 1897 SHP will enjoy steam-powered excursion train rides behind the "Movie Star Locomotive" Sierra No. 3 and aboard the famous Caboose No. 7, and behind-the-scenes tours of the historic Roundhouse and Shops. A number of historic locomotives, equipment and vehicles will also be on special display this one-day-only, including the No. 28 & 2 locomotives, historic track maintenance vehicles such as the 1920s Ford Model T custom-adapted for use on the Railroad, and the Hetch-Hetchy 19 car, custom built for use in the construction of the Hetch Hetchy Dam (which will be operational and available for rides). To the delight of Park visitors, the historic belt-driven machine shop will also be up and running on National Train Day so guests can see it in action and understand that on a shortline, much of the work was done "in house" at the shops (with exception of major engine rebuilds).

Except for steam-powered excursion train rides, all National Train Day activities are free to the public with paid Park admission. Railtown 1897 SHP admission costs are as follows: $5 for adults, $3 for youths ages 6-17 and free for children five and under. All train ride tickets are available for advance purchase at www.railtown1897.org as well as at the ticket window beginning at 10 a.m. the day of the train ride (based on availability). Capacity is limited for tickets for the steam-powered excursion train rides so visitors are encouraged to arrive early. Excursion train rides are available hourly from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and tickets aboard "Movie Train Consist" (enclosed suburban car and caboose)" are $15 for adults, $8 for youths ages 6-17 and kids five and under are free. More information about Railtown 1897 SHP is available online or by calling 209-984-3953. More information about National Train Day is available by visiting www.nationaldaytrain.com.

May 12, 2013 (11:00 - 3:00) Event -- Railtown 1897 Gives Moms the Star Treatment on Mother's Day With Train Rides Behind Sierra No. 3 and Complimentary Commemorative Chocolate Bars

JAMESTOWN, Calif. - Railtown 1897 State Historic Park (SHP) plans to treat moms extra special this Mother's Day -- on Sunday, May 12 -- by pulling out the famous "Movie Star Locomotive" Sierra No. 3 for weekend excursion train rides and also giving away complimentary commemorative Belgian chocolate bars to all mothers who take a train ride (while supplies last). For those wanting to treat mom extra special on Mother's Day, there will be a first-class train ride available as well.

With beautiful wildflowers still in bloom on Mother's Day, Railtown 1897's excursion trains will depart on-the-hour from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The six-mile, 45-minute roundtrip ride takes passengers through the rolling Gold Country foothills, passing through meadows and along grassy hillsides covered with ancient oak trees. Families are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on-site on the sprawling Roundhouse lawn. In addition, the Railtown 1897 SHP Depot Store, Interpretive Center and grounds are open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and guided Roundhouse tours are available, too.

Tickets for steam train excursion rides are $15 for adults, $8 for youths ages 6-17 and kids five and under are free. For those desiring a first-class experience, tickets are $24 for adults, $10 for youths ages 6-17 and kids five and under area are free (with free upgrades to Railtown 1897 SHP members depending on space availability). 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).