Calendar of Events

Calendar of Events

The Museum grounds are open 363 days a year, with railway operations every weekend, as well as on Holidays and Special events throughout the year. Parking is always free.

Saturday July 25 Summer Evening Trolley Festival		Museum members- it's time again for our annual evening trolley operations, featuring special equipment operations. The fun starts with a "bring your own beef" barbeque, where we provide the side dishes and other fixin's along with the grill, and you bring your own main course to be cooked. After dinner its time for trolley rides! You must be a Museum member to attend this event. Please make a reservation at the Museum office so we can gauge how many people will attend. Call the OERM office (909) 943-3020

Saturday September 12 Swap Meet		Southern California ’s largest outdoor railroadiana meet 9 am to 2 pm. Railroad antiques, collectibles, art, books, model and toy trains. Special streetcar operations follow the Swap Meet and steam operations as well. Admission is $5, or included with all-day pass for trolley and train rides $12 adults, children 5-11 $8. Exhibitors, setup begins at 7 am, bring your own tables and chairs, space available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Non-members exhibitor fee is $15, and helpers are also $15.

Sat. - Sun. October 17-18 Pumpkin Trains		Ride the Pumpkin Train to the pumpkin patch, pick out your own pumpkin, and then ride the train back to the Museum for more fun activities. It's our annual Halloween event and it's sure to please the whole family. Advance reservations are requested, simply call 951-943-3020 and reserve your seat. Pumpkin Train tickets include all day rides at the Museum, one trip to the pumpkin patch, and a free pumpkin. Adults $18.00, Children 5-11 $12.00. Four and under are free but does not include a pumpkin.

November 7,8,11 and 14-15 Day Out With Thomas™ Tickets Now on Sale!		Thomas the Tank Engine returns for five days in November. Day Out With Thomas™ offers an opportunity for children and their grownups to take a 20 minute ride with Thomas the Tank Engine™ and to have their picture taken with Sir Topham Hatt™, the Superintendent of the Railroad. Every event includes Thomas & Friends™ storytelling, a viewing station for Thomas & Friends videos, temporary tattoos, and an Imagination Station. The activities on site at Day Out With Thomas™ are for you and your children to enjoy for several hours or more. Please plan your arrival time accordingly. You should arrive no later than one hour prior to your scheduled departure. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets

December 5-6 and 12-13 Santa Train		Come ride with Santa. Fun full day for the whole family, refreshments, gifts and holiday music. 11 am - 4 pm. Regular ticket prices apply, but you must pick up a reservation for your Santa Train ride upon arrival.

Available year 'round	Charter Program	Your group can charter a trolley or train for a very reasonable rate. It makes the perfect school field trip, and hundreds of children from throughout Southern California visit with us each year. Charters normally consist of rides on two different trolleys, a train ride on our mainline, and a guided tour of the Museum grounds (allow 2 to 3 hours). Charters are offered on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9 am to 1 pm. Due to staffing considerations and other activities at the Museum, certain days are not available for charters. School Groups: $5.00 per student (through high school), minimum charge is $150.00 (30 students). Adult Groups: $7.00 per adult, $5.00 per child under age 12. Minimum charge is $210 (30 adults). Click here for complete details

Available year 'round	The Birthday Caboose	The Birthday Caboose is another great way for families to enjoy the Museum. Why pay the high costs for parties at Chucky Cheese's®, or other notable (and pricey) Southern California attractions? Relax and barbeque your food, have it catered by Round Table or bring a picnic lunch. Enjoy our parks, and ride our historic trains and trolleys. With seating for up to 14 adults and children inside, and plenty of picnic tables outside, the Birthday Caboose is an ideal setting for your party. Click here for more details


Available year 'round	Locomotive Cab Rides Among our first happy customers	Ride with the engineer up in the cab of one of our big diesel locomotives! Cab rides are available on a space available basis during regular operating days. You must be holding a regular ride ticket and there will be an additional charge of $10.00 per person, children must be at least 5 years old to participate. Certain restrictions apply. See the ticket agent for details.


Available year 'round	"Run One" Operate a real locomotive on the museum railway! More fun than any train simulator!	Rentals are available on weekends, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. This activity is very popular and sometimes books up well in advance of available days. Please call the Museum at (951) 943-3020 for availability. Please note that there are no "Run Ones" in November. Rate: $190.00 per hour (Santa Fe FP-45 locomotive 98 is $285 / hour). You will receive instruction and operate the locomotive under the supervision of one our experienced engineers. Each rental includes one engineer’s cap and certificate of accomplishment plus a huge sense of control! Reservations required (via credit card) at least two (2) weeks in advance with deposit. No refunds for no shows unless severe weather conditions (Heavy rain, floods, high winds, snow). Normally locomotives will run rain or shine. If in doubt contact the Museum at (951) 943-3020 Up to four (4) persons may share a rental hour. Engineer minimum age is 18, however, 5 years and older may ride along with an adult. Several locomotives will ultimately be available for operation. Basic rate of $190.00 / hour is based on operation of switcher such as OERM RSD-1 No. 1956 (Alco 1941) or Southern Pacific S-4 No. 1474 (Alco 1952).

Steam Operations Schedule		Our operating steam locomotive Ventura County No. 2 will be on its summertime maintenance hiatus during June, July and August. It is scheduled to return to operation September 19-20, and will resume its normal third weekend of the month schedule at that time. Check out the Steam Experience for the ultimate day for any steam fan Remaining 2009 Steam Dates: September 19-20, October 17-18, December 19-20. Click here for a brief video about the steam engine (YouTube)

Limited Dates Only ! The Steam Experience		The Steam Experience is the ultimate day for anyone who has ever wanted to operate a real steam locomotive. Participants arrive at 7:30 am and spend the morning with the crew learning about both the engine and helping get it ready for operation. Then it’s off to the Mainline for a full hour behind the throttle! Your Steam Experience will be an unforgettable memory, or it also makes a great gift. Cost is $498, with reservations made through the Museum office, call (951) 943-3020. Remaining 2009 Dates: May 16-17 SOLD OUT September 19 SOLD OUT -20 Available December 19-20 Available
Please note: operation of historic equipment is always "subject to availability".
- Updated 6/24/09 -