School Programs

School Field Trips to Railtown 1897 SHP

General information

The school field trip program at Railtown is targetted for fourth grade classes and is free to participating schools. Dates are available in April, May and June on a first-come first-served basis.

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED

Most visits include a guided tour of the historic roundhouse and an excursion train ride. Picnic benches are available to enjoy breakfast, snack, or lunch in the park.

We request you bring sufficient adult chaperones to accompany your field trip. We recommend siblings in other grades to not accompany the group. Railtown 1897 is a historic park. There is uneven ground and walkways, and some areas may be dark. We offer an ADA lift to assist in boarding the train. Please inform us how many passengers may require the lift.

There are potential alternatives for other grade levels, dates, and special arrangements but they may incur a fee. Please contact us at railtown1897shp@parks.ca.gov to discuss the options.

Available dates in 2025

  • Friday, April 11 - FULL
  • Wednesday, April 16 - FULL
  • Friday, April 25
  • Friday, May 2
  • Friday, May 9 - FULL
  • Friday, May 16
  • Wednesday, May 28
  • Friday, June 13 - for homeschools and summer programs

Reservations

Railtown's school event coordinator will assist you in scheduling a visit. Confirmed field trip reservations are free, thanks to the generous support of our partner, the California State Railroad Museum Foundation. It is important to arrive on time for your field trip as tours and trains depart on a schedule.

To reserve a school field trip slot at Railtown 1897 SHP, please email the school event coordinator at railtown1897shp@parks.ca.gov It is important for us to know your arrival time, and how long you plan to stay at Railtown, for scheduling. Tours and train rides run to a schedule.

Homeschoolers

We are offering Friday, June 13 as Homeschool Day. Reservations are required. Please email the school event coordinator at railtown1897shp@parks.ca.gov to secure a time slot. Please coordinate with fellow homeschoolers to form a group, ideally of 15 to 25 students, to help us facilitate scheduling. Please contact us with any questions.

Activities your students may experience at Railtown include:

  Train ride Tour guides Railroad interpretation
  Excursion train ride Guided tours Railroad interpretation
       
  Railroad communications Blacksmith demonstration Picnic
  Train crew communication Blacksmith demonstration Picnic in the park
       
  Movie Props Turntable  
  Movie Props Roundhouse and Turntable  
       

Guided Tours

Students are generally formed into groups of 20 to 30 students, plus adult chaperones, for the tour. We run multiple tours simultaneously using the "stations" teaching approach where students rotate through learning centers. Tours take 30 to 45 minutes. Adult chaperones should assist in keeping children together and focussed on the tour. The school coordinator will assist you in how to organize your students for the tour.

Excursion Train Ride

Students take an excursion train ride through the scenic Mother Lode countryside. This area has been filmed extensively by Hollywood leading to Railtown earning the nickname, "The Movie Railroad."

The excursion train ride lasts about 45 minues. There are no restrooms on the train.

Restrooms

It has been our experience that children often need to use the restrooms upon arriving at Railtown. Please allow ample time for students to use the restroom prior to their scheduled tour or train ride. There are no restrooms on board the train.

Railroad Store

If your students wish to visit the Railtown store, we request no more than 20 students enter at a time, with adult supervision. The store typically stocks toys, books, clothing, snacks, and gift items.

Program Cost

Park admission and parking are free for school groups with a confirmed reservation.
The guided tour is free thanks to our docents for volunteering their time to support this program.
The excursion train ride is free for school groups with a confirmed reservation thanks to the generous support of the California State Railroad Museum Foundation.

Bussing Subsidy

The California State Railroad Museum Foundation has allocated funds to help cover the cost of busing students to Railtown to take part in Railtown's school train program. To apply for funds, please use the following link: https://forms.office.com/r/qgvq8gaANz

More Information

Railtown has a 4th grade teacher's guide on The Sierra Railway and the transformation of California. Ask us for a copy and we will email it to you.

We also offer a fun scavenger hunt if you have time before or after your scheduled field trip.

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED

To reserve a school field trip slot at Railtown 1897 SHP, please email the school program coordinator at railtown1897shp@parks.ca.gov