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.

Monday February 15	President's Day	Trains and trolleys will operate on Monday for the holiday.

Saturday March 6 Swap Meet & Member's Day		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 $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. Museum members- March 6 is also our Annual Meeting event and will feature special cars in operation and on display. The Annual Meeting will be held in the Ray Ballash Carhouse (Carhouse One). A barbeque dinner follows at 6 pm inside the Carhouse, followed by night operations. Please RSVP for the barbeque.

Saturday & Sunday April 24-25 Rail Festival		Rail Festival returns this Spring for one weekend only. Enjoy a full day of trains, exhibits and fun for the whole family including a train pulled by our operating steam locomotive, trolleys, and an antique fire engine gathering. Watch this space for further details.

Sunday May 2 Antique Truck Meet		Presented in conjunction with the American Truck Historical Society. Plan on a full day to see the hundreds of antique and rare trucks – last year's event drew over 150 restored trucks, this year promises even more. Plenty of photo opportunities with our historic trains and trolleys as well- a must see event for fans of antique transportation equipment!

Monday May 24	Memorial Day Operations	Trains and trolleys will operate on Monday for the holiday.

Saturday June 12 Rods and Rails		9 am to 5 pm- the City of Perris' 11th annual car and motorcycle show will once again be held at the Museum grounds. The show features classic cars from the 20's thru the 70's and motorcycle classes from 1939 to the present. The event also features games and entertainment for the whole family including 1800's Territorial Marshall reenactments, live music and dance contests, retro hair and clothing contests and the annual Potato Festival sponsored by the Perris Valley Historical and Museum Association. Train and trolley rides are also available at our normal rates.

Saturday & Sunday June 19-20 Pacific Electric Weekend		Ride the Big Red Cars of the Pacific Electric and a Father's Day BBQ for dad.! Though we operate selected PE cars throughout the year, this is the time of year when we have the largest group of them out to ride and photograph. Regular admission prices apply for entry, but advance paid reservations are required for the BBQ (Noon - 2 pm).

Saturday July 31 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 fixins 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 (or a guest of one) to attend this event.

Steam Operations Schedule		Our operating steam locomotive Ventura County No. 2 is scheduled to operate on the third weekend of every month, September through May, (except during November). 2010 Steam Operation Dates: February 20-21, March 20-21, April 17-18 and May 15-16. Click here for a brief video about the steam engine (YouTube) Check out the Steam Experience for the ultimate day for any steam fan

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 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.

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. Rates: Diesel switcher, $190.00 per hour, Southern Pacific U-25-B 3100 is $248 per hour, and Santa Fe FP-45 locomotive 98 is $298 per 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. Watch the video below.


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 $499, with reservations made through the Museum office, call (951) 943-3020. 2010 Available Dates: January 16 SOLD OUT February 20-21 SOLD OUT March 20-21 SOLD OUT April 17 available-April 18 SOLD OUT May 15-16 available
Please note: operation of historic equipment is always "subject to availability".
- Updated 2/5/10 -