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Treat Mom To Weekend Railroad Excursion
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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 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).

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 (selected dates only November-December). 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. For more information, call Railtown 1897 State Historic Park at (209) 984-3953, or visit the website at www.railtown1897.org.