Take a Ride on the Wildflower Train at the Western Railway Museum

Take a train ride back in time this spring on the Western Railway Museum's Scenic Limited wildflower train this April! Tickets are on sale now. Located in rural Solano County between Suisuin City and Rio Vista, the Western Railway Museum is a rolling museum of Bay Area rail history, spotlighting vintage electric interurban trains and streetcars on its miles of track that roll through the picturesque Montezuma Hills. This area boasts a wide array of wildflowers each spring, and viewing them from a historic train is a great way to see them!

Wildflower trains run April 1–30 and depart the museum's passenger depot on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 11 am, 12:30 pm, 2 pm, and 3 pm. The leisurely 11-mile round-trip in a century-old railcar provides spectacular views of the surrounding countryside, Mt. Diablo, and Mt. Tamalpais.

Along the way you'll see wildflowers, which you can identify with a handy guide available on the train, birds and other wildlife, and herds of farm animals like cows and sheep. It really feels like taking a ride back in time, although it's a little hard to escape the modern lines of the wind turbines from the adjacent Shiloh wind farm.

Along the way the train will pause while docents tell you about local history, railroad procedures, and what you're seeing out the windows. They're happy to answer any questions you have about the ride, too. At the half-way point the crew switches polarities on the train's electrical leads and you head back to the depot. For passengers in the parlor car, this provides an opportunity to sit on the outside platform of the railcar and get a great view.

When your ride is over, you can take another ride on a historic streetcar, see the exhibits in the visitor center, and tour the sheds to see the cars in the museum's collection, which includes old trams from San Francisco's Muni, the East Bay's Key System, have a picnic on the spacious museum grounds, and more.

This season, the museum is changing things up a bit and partnering with local Suisun Valley wineries for a unique experience in the 1914 first-class parlor observation car. First-class tickets are now for ages 21+ and include wine tasting and seasonal treats. Coach tickets now include a beverage and treat to enjoy on board the train, too. 

It's a fun, family-friendly outing that's only an hour's drive from Marin. While the wildflower trains only run during the spring, you can visit at any time of year to ride the rails. In October, the museum hosts a Pumpkin Patch Festival in a eucalyptus grove that's only reachable via a train ride and in December you can take a ride on a special Santa Train. Learn more about what they have to offer at www.wrm.org.

If You Go

Coach tickets for the Scenic Limited coast $20 for adults, $18 seniors 65+, and $15 for children 2–14; museum members and children under 2 are free. Coach tickets include a beverage and treat to enjoy on board the train. First-class tickets, for ages 21+, cost $30 for adults, $28 for seniors, and $10 for members and include wine and refreshments.

Tickets must be booked online in advance: get your tickets here. The Scenic Limited wildflower train often sells out early, and rides are limited to your time slot. On regular days, admission includes unlimited train and streetcar rides.

The Western Railway Museum is located at 5848 Highway 12, Suisuin City 94585. To get there from Marin, take Highway 101 to Highway 37 in Novato and head east to Vallejo, where you'll get onto Highway 80 east. Follow 80 until you get to the Highway 12 east exit in Fairfield and take Highway 12 all the way to the museum, which will be on your right.

On the way you'll pass the Jelly Belly factory in Fairfield — you could visit both and make a day of it while you're in the area.

The museum is open year-round on weekends from 10:30 am to 5 pm. During the summer, opening hours are often expanded during the summer and for special events like the wildflower train. During the Pumpkin Patch Festival in October the museum opens early at 9:30 am. Interurban train rides take place at 11 am, 12:30 pm, 2 pm and 3:30pm; the streetcar runs twice in between interurban rides.

The museum has a large shaded picnic area, so feel free to bring your lunch and spend the day. Food is also available at the museum's Depot Cafe.

For more info, visit www.wrm.org.