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Calendar of Events
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The Museum grounds are open 363 days a year 9am - 5pm, with railway operations every weekend and on some holidays from 11am - 5pm. Parking is always free. Click here for information on visiting during a non-special event weekend. Our 2012 special events calendar: |
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Saturday & Sunday
January 21 & 22
"Behind the Scenes"
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Get an insider's view of how the Museum works The day will feature behind-the-scenes tours and special equipment operations. These include guided tours of the Ruffulo Carhouse which is not normally open to the public. Also "pit tours" allowing you to go underneath a real streetcar and see how it all works, and the return of our popular "mini Run One"*, where you can actually take the throttle of a real locomotive under the supervision of one of our instructors (*there is an extra charge for this activity). This
is a gated event,
admission is $12 for adults, $8 children 5-11. This price includes
unlimited rides on the trains and trolleys*. OERM members have free
admission. Watch this space for more details. |
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Saturday March 3
Railroadiana Swap Meet
& Member's Meeting
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Southern California's Largest Outdoor Railroadiana Show Southern California ’s largest outdoor railroadiana meet 9 am to 2 pm. Railroad antiques, collectibles, art, books, model and toy trains. This is a gated event, admission is $7 for adults, $5 for children 5-11, or included with an all-day pass for trolley and train rides $12 adults, children $8. OERM members have free admission. 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 $18, and helpers are also $18. Exhibitor admission begins at 7 am at the member's entrance off of Mapes Rd. Museum
members-
March 3 is also our Annual Meeting event and will feature special cars
in operation and on display, as well as a catered dinner and night time
railway operations.
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Saturday March 24
Night Time Photography Event
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Two
renowned railroad photographers, Michael Ripley and Steve Crise, will be
on hand with professional lighting and will direct photo sessions at the
Grizzly Flats turntable and an interurban and locomotive scene at the
mainline platform. The event starts at 6pm. Admission is free. Bring a tripod and a flashlight. |
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Sunday May 6 Antique Truck Show |
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Antique Transportation Extravaganza Presented in conjunction with the American Truck Historical Society this one-day special event features hundreds of restored antique trucks in addition to our trains and trolleys. An incredible variety of antique transportation equipment will be on the property for your viewing enjoyment. Photo opportunities abound as the trucks and trains pose together! This is a gated event, admission is $7 per person, or included with an all-day pass for trolley and train rides $12 adults, children 5-11 $8. OERM members have free admission. |
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Saturday & Sunday May 19-20 Rail Fest |
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Rail Festival Returns Enjoy an entire day of fun for the whole family. Ride trains and trolleys all day long, plus a special mini "Run One"* where you can "take the throttle" on a real railroad locomotive under the supervision of one of our instructors (* there is an extra charge for this activity). There will be live bluegrass music, a special parade of Los Angeles trolleys on our "Loop Line", children's bouncy tents, handcar rides, exhibits from the Knott's Berry Farm railroad as well as other special features. There will also be food vendors on site for lunch. Both trolleys and diesel powered trains will operate on the mainline! This
is a gated event,
admission is $15 for adults, $10 children 5-11. This price includes
unlimited rides on the trains and trolleys*. OERM members have free
admission.
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Available year 'round
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Charter Program
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Your group can charter a trolley and/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 |
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Available year 'round
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The
Party Caboose
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The Party 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 Party Caboose is an ideal
setting for your party.
Click here for more details |
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Available year 'round
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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 on diesel powered trains, and $20.00 on the steam engine, children must be at least 5 years old to participate. Certain restrictions apply. See the ticket agent for details. |
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"Run One" Operate a real locomotive on the museum railway!
More fun than any train simulator!
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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. |
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Steam Operations Schedule
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Our operating
steam locomotive
Ventura County No. 2 is currently out of service
while we complete the federally-mandated 5-year inspection and related
maintenance work.
Upon its return to operation in early 2012 it will resume its normal schedule of operating on the third weekend of every month, September through May, (except during November). Click here for a brief video about the steam engine (YouTube) Check out the Steam Experience for the ultimate day for any steam fan |
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Limited Dates Only ! The Steam Experience |
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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 $499, with reservations made through the Museum office, call (951) 943-3020. Please Note that the Steam Experience is on hiatus while Locomotive Number 2 undergoes its federally-mandated 5-year inspection. The program will return when the locomotive re-enters service in 2011.
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Please note: operation of historic equipment is always "subject to availability". |
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- Updated 1/1/12 - |
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