Come out to Ardenwood Historic Farm on Labor Day weekend for the 20th Annual Rail Fair! Everyone will enjoy a day of fun at this celebration of trains. All activities are FREE with the price of admission!
- The passenger train will be pulled by “Katie,” a diesel locomotive built by Plymouth Locomotive Works. “Katie” is a favorite with the children (all days).
- The narrow gauge steam locomotive “Ann Marie” was built by H.K. Porter Company in 1890. She was originally built for Cortez Mines, Ltd. who operated a gold and silver mine in Central Nevada. The locomotive will be park near the public for great photo opportunities, and will be doing operating demonstrations (all days).
- The Bay Area Garden Railway Society (BAGRS) will bring a variety of scale steam locomotives to operate. These small but mighty engines work exactly like a full-size steam engine (Saturday and Sunday only).
- BAGRS is also bringing their beautiful “Roving Garden Railroad” with live plants and a real waterfall. The railroad is based on the children’s books “The Boxcar Children” (all days).
- Diablo Pacific Shortline’s large modular railroad has both freight and passenger trains operating, as well as a Thomas the Tank Engine train. This railroad is built low so the littlest railroad fans can follow the trains around this huge layout (all days).
- The California Central Coast On30 Railroad portrays central California during the early 1900s. Each module is designed by a different modeler and the details are fantastic (all days).
- The Paul Family Lego Railroad is built of Legos! This amazing Lego city has trains running through the scenes (all days).
There will be LIVE music all 3 days! Two music groups who have been performing at Rail Fair for over a decade will be back. On Saturday and Monday (11:30-3:30) the California State Old-Time Fiddlers will play traditional American string band music, including many rare old fiddle tunes and lots of Appalachian-style music. On Sunday (11:30-3:30) the Apple Butter Brothers will play American folk music with an emphasis on “Train Songs.”
A toddler area will have multiple wooden trains; a Train Book Library where you can read train books to your little ones; and learn fun facts and stories about the Gray Fox that lives near the railroad tracks (10-3:30 all 3 days). For older children there will be stilts & tabletop games (11-12 and 1-2 all 3 days).
The beautiful Patterson House will be open for tours (all 3 days).
Don’t forget your hats and sunscreen! Activities are spread out throughout the farm.
Food will be available for purchase at the Farmyard Café (or bring a picnic). The Farmyard Café also has ice cream, treats and cold drinks.
Tickets are sold at the gate. Cash and credit cards are accepted. Parking is free. Toddler activities close at 3:30 pm.
Presented by The Railroad Museum at Ardenwood, operated by the Society for the Preservation of Carter Railroad Resources (SPCRR), a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. We are a volunteer railroad museum saving, protecting, and restoring Carter Brother's railroad cars from the 1800s – Newark's first industry. www.spcrr.org
Rail Fair is operated in conjunction with the East Bay Regional Park District and the City of Fremont.
NOTE: This date/event is in the past. Keep browsing.
Date/Time
Date(s) - 09/02/19
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Cost
Admission: $12/adults ages 18+; $9/children ages 4-17; ages 3 and under free
Categories
Contact:
Event Coordinator
info@spcrr.org
510-544-2797
iCal
Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the activity organizer or venue as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.
COVID-19 Coronavirus note: In the event that local health officials ask for “social distancing” strategies that include canceling large gatherings, some of these pre-planned activities may be canceled or rescheduled: concerts, festivals, playtime, sports events, storytimes, and other gatherings.
