Rolling into history. Take a ride along the river on a vintage train.
Buy Tickets HereJoin us on a 45-minute, 6-mile round trip from Old Sacramento Waterfront along the Sacramento River in our fleet of historic railroad cars. Experience travel as it was over 100 years ago, learn about the history of railroading in California and the American West as you enjoy quality time with your family.
Steam locomotive Granite Rock 10's schedule for 2026 is still being determined. Watch this space for updates!
Learn MoreEnjoy a scenic, 50-minute ride along the Sacramento River and sit back in luxury and air-conditioned comfort as you are served refreshments in first class style. Each operating day we will be pulling one of our three elegant first class cars. Learn about our first class cars below.
This handsome 1920s lounge car offers large windows and comfortable seating. The car is divided into two sections select either the Parlor or Lounge. Passengers in both locations are free to move about the car and step off onto the observation platform for a beautiful view of the Sacramento River.
This beautifully restored car was inspired by the New Orleans French Quarter, with wrought iron balconies and a “Sunset pink” painted ceiling studded with stars. Complete with its own serving bar, the French Quarter has large windows and a variety of seating combinations including four small dining table booths for seating of four guests; settees and lounge-style chairs.
The Dining Car is known as the “Audubon” because of the hand-painted reproductions of bird illustrations by the artist/naturalist John James Audubon. Groups of four passengers are seated around a small dining table.
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.
Perhaps the most dynamic way to experience railroading is to actually ride a train, as many visitors to the California State Railroad Museum can attest. Since 1982, excursion trains have been a popular offering along the Sacramento waterfront and a rewarding activity for those involved in the myriad, related tasks of construction and refurbishment, operation and maintenance. But what has it taken to get to this point, and where does the name "Sacramento Southern Railroad" come from anyway?
Tickets may be purchased or picked up from the Central Pacific Passenger Station at the corner of Front and J streets in Old Sacramento.
View in Google MapsDue to the historic nature of the coaches, all passengers must be able to climb a narrow set of stairs to board the coaches. Due to limited aisle widths, wheelchairs, mobility devices, and strollers are not permitted on the coaches. Temporary storage for devices is provided at the passenger station. Should you have any questions regarding accessibility, please call the Membership Office at (916) 445-5995.
March 15th kicks off our soft season opener with a limited schedule. During March we will offer departures on Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM, and 2:30 PM. There will be no First-Class Service in March. Starting in April, trains run on Saturdays and Sundays thru mid-October, departing at 10 AM, 11:15 AM, 1:00 PM, 2:15 PM, and 3:30 PM.
Friday trains will operate each Friday between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Friday trains will depart at 11:15 AM, 1:00 PM, and 2:15 PM.
Members can book tickets online or in the box office on the day of. Online tickets can be purchased up to 30 minutes prior to departure. To book tickets online, members will click on the “click here for tickets” button on the website and choose the day and time they would like to ride. Then, you will choose between First Class and Coach tickets, scroll to the bottom to find the member tickets. Your membership will be verified by our membership team prior to your departure.
Adults - $18, Youth (6-17 years old) - $10, Child (5 years and under) – Ride for Free
Members ride Coach Cars for Free
Adults - $25, Youth (6-17 years old) - $15, Child (5 years and under) – Ride for Free
Member Adults - $15, Member Youth (6-17 years old) - $12, Member Child (5 years and under) – Ride for Free
The Excursion Train Ride last approximately 45 minutes. It goes south along the Sacramento River and back to Old Sacramento riding along our 3.5 miles of track.
For an added cost, guests can purchase a ticket to ride on one of our First-Class cars, the El Dorado, the Audubon, or the French Quarter. Our first-class cars are equipped with air conditioning, and guests will receive a complimentary snack (pretzels or Chex mix) and a non-alcoholic drink (Lemonade, Iced Tea, or water). Guests will receive first-class service provided by our Volunteer Stewards.
Note that not all three first-class cars are on the consist at one time, and which first-class car is used is determined by our Railroading Department. There is no food or drink allowed on either first-class or coach besides bottled water and what is offered in first class.
You can purchase tickets online HERE.
Online tickets are available for purchase up to 30 minutes prior to departure time. You can also purchase tickets at our ticketing office located at 930 Front Street. The ticketing office is only open on days when trains are running.
You can pick up your tickets at our ticketing office located at 930 Front Street. The ticketing office is open at 9 am and closes at 4:30 on Saturdays and Sundays. Starting May 31st, the ticketing office will be open on Fridays from 10:30 AM to 3:30PM.
A: The Train Station does not have a dedicated parking lot for guests. For parking information, please check out Old Sacramento’s website and parking information by clicking HERE. or Sacramento City’s parking page for information on the parking garages in the area by clicking HERE.
Please note that if you have issues with parking, you will need to reach out to the city of Sacramento to assist you.
We do not know which locomotive will be pulling the train until the morning of departure.
No food or drink is allowed on the train, except bottled water and what is offered in first-class.
Yes, there is a narrator on board our excursion trains.
Due to the historic nature of the coaches, all passengers must be able to climb a narrow set of stairs to board the coaches. Due to limited aisle widths, wheelchairs, mobility devices, and strollers are not permitted on the coaches. Temporary storage for devices is provided at the passenger station.
We do not offer group rates; however, we do recommend if you have a group larger than 20 to Email us Here and we can assist you in getting your tickets.
The ticketing office is open Saturdays and Sundays from 9 AM – 4:30 PM.
For days with a limited schedule, the ticketing office will be open from 10:30 – 3:30.
Subscribe to our E-Newsletter to stay updated on the latest News, Events, and Exhibits.
A part of the California State Railroad Museum Foundation
