Train Adventures Around Town

The Fairplex Garden Railroad
Touted as the oldest and possibly largest miniature railroad in the United States and the world, the Fairplex Garden Railroad (1101 W. McKinleyAve., Pomona, 909-623-3111, www.fgrr.org) showcases hand-built miniature trains that wind endlessly through a 100 x 300-foot model town at the Pomona Fairplex. The display is open free of charge on the first Sunday of each month from November through July, and every day to fairgoers in September during the Los Angeles County Fair.

Griffith Park
The Los Angeles Live Steamers Railroad Museum (5202 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, 323-661-8958, www.lals.org) is operated by train enthusiasts who built the miniature steam, diesel and electric locomotives – all of which are 1/8 actual size – for the public’s riding pleasure. Rides are free of charge. However, passengers must be at least 34 inches tall and weigh less than 350 lbs. The miniature train ride at Travel Town (5200 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, 323-662-5874, www.gprah.com) loops twice around the facility, which features an indoor museum and play area where your child can tinker with the model track (just be sure to bring your own miniature toy train). Outside you’ll find several large locomotives that are great for climbing and photo ops, and plenty of open lawn space for a picnic. Travel Town also rents locomotives for birthday parties. Griffith Park and Southern Railroad (4400 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, 323-664-6903, www.gprah.com) boasts a scenic route featuring an Old West town, stables, a lush forest, and a tunnel that the kids love “choo-chooing” through. Griffith Park and Southern Railroad and Travel Town are open daily, except Christmas Day. Rides cost $2.50 per person.
There is no admission fee, but donations are accepted.

Fillmore & Western
The Fillmore & Western Railway Co., a.k.a. Home of “the Movie Trains” (250 Central Avenue, Fillmore, 800-773-8724, www.fwry.com), features several excursions throughout the year where passengers board real trains and head to thrilling destinations. Reservations are required.

The “PumpkinLiners” vintage train takes passengers to the “Ichabog” pumpkin patch to choose the perfect jack-olantern beginning Oct. 3. The cost is $17 for adults, $10 for ages 4-12, $8 for ages 2-3, and free for kids under 2. The “Headless Horseman Dinner Train” treats passengers to a BBQ tri-tip entrée followed by a nighttime hayride in search of the headless horseman beginning Oct. 14. The cost is $45 for adults, $30 for ages 4-12, $22 for children ages 2-3, and free for kids under 2 riding on an adult’s lap. Saint Nick collects Christmas wishes during “Dinner with Santa” train rides beginning Dec. 4. The cost is $47 for adults, $26 for ages 2-12, free for kids under age 2 who ride on someone’s lap and skip the meal. Santa also joins in the fun on “Christmas Tree Holiday Trains” that embark to a tree lot where passengers pick the perfect Christmas tree beginning Nov. 28. The cost is $24 for adults, $14 for ages 4-12, $10 for ages 2-3, and free for kids under 2 riding on a lap. Wear your pajamas on the “North Pole Express,” which features storytellers, Santa and his elves, and cookies and chocolate milk beginning Nov. 29. The cost is $26 for adults, $16 for ages 2-12, and free for kids under age 2 on a lap.

Carney’s Hot Dog Stand
Dine aboard an authentic 1920s Amtrak train at Carney’s (Studio City: 12601 Ventura Blvd., 818-761-8300; West Hollywood: 8351 Sunset Blvd., 323-654-8300, www.carneytrain.com).
This diner-inspired depot is known for its award-winning hot dogs, but also caters to a variety of tastes with veggie burgers, salads, wraps, and desserts (including chocolate-dipped frozen bananas – yum!).

Trolley Train Rides
Hop on a trolley at The Americana at Brand (889 Americana Way, Glendale, 818-637-8982, www.americanatbrand.com) or The Grove (189 Grove Drive, Los Angeles, 323-900-8080, www.thegrovela.com). Both trolleys give you an opportunity to window shop while your little one enjoys the ride.

Train DVDs at the L.A. Public Library
Cuddling for story time is the perfect ending to a long day on the railroad. Save money by borrowing train-themed books and DVDs from the Los Angeles Public Library (www.lapl.org).

Books
• Little Puff by Margaret Hillert
• Peek-a-Choo-Choo by Marie Torres Cimarusti
• Trains on the Tracks by Kathryn Smithyman
• Hey Mr. Choo-Choo, Where Are You Going? by Susan Wickberg
• Curious George Takes a Train by Margret & H.A. Rey
• Choo Choo Clickety-Clack by Margaret Mayo
DVDs
• The Busy Little Engine and His Friend Pig
• Locomotives, Songs and Music
• Rockin’ Real Wheels
• Travel Adventures


Ride the Rails
The romance of the rails is alive and well, even here in modern-day Los Angeles. One of the best ways to experience that romance is by venturing up or down the coast via Amtrak.

A great place to jump aboard is downtown at Union Station, one of most iconic train stations in the U.S., where friendly Amtrak staff will guide you to the various trains departing from the Southland.

The Pacific Surfliner whisks passengers along the scenic California coast from San Diego to San Luis Obisbo with several stops in between, including San Juan Capistrano, Oxnard and Santa Barbara. Fares vary, but travel by train is economical; an adult and child (between the ages of 2 and 16) can travel the length of the Surfliner route for around $100 round trip.

Another option is to take the train (and Amtrak bus) all the way to the Capital Corridor route in Sacramento, where you can hop off at that holiest of train sites, the California State Railroad Museum (admission is $8 adults and $3 for ages 6-17, www.csrmf.org).

Or you could chug south to Anaheim to board another iconic train, the Disneyland Railroad (www.Disneyland.com). The popular narrow gauge is not only a good way to get around the park; it’s also packed with history and trivia (the Lilly Belle is one of the only remaining enclosed coaches and is used for VIPs and special events). Train buffs might also want tomake a (whistle) stop at nearby Knott’s BerryFarm (www.knotts.com), which still operates its old steam-powered
Calico Railroad.

Visit www.Amtrak.com or call 800-USA-RAIL (800-872-7245) for information about routes, specials and fares to these locations and numerous other stops and sites.

Source: LA Parent Sept. 2009