niles canyon railway

Like all places run by volunteers, it is fantastic and awesome to be around people who are passionate about what they do. This place isn't a Disney land, it is a working museum, you are required to hold on to your kids and make sure they and you are safe.That being said my kids love this place, the ability to show them real physical pieces of history is great. I have seen a lot of parents not anticipate the wait times and the boring times and get angry.Just remember the day won't work out like you imagine, but if you pack a light lunch and go with the flow it works out great

I recently took the a ride on the train of lights from Niles to Sunol with my 3-year old grandson and other family members. It was an exciting experience to see the fully lighted decorated train pull up and to climb on board. We walked through the different cars to view the lights and decorations on each one before the train departed. On board there were a couple of snack bars offering drinks (hot cocoa, coffee, spiced cider) and snacks (chips, cookies) for a reasonable price. Holiday music was playing in each car and Santa walked through and posed for pictures with children. We were excited as the train pulled away from the station around 4:30 PM and enjoyed looking out the window at the scenery. However, after about 20 minutes and as darkness fell, it seemed to just be a train ride and the 40 minutes it took to get to Sunol was wearying, plus we then had to go back to Niles for the end of the ride. Warning, you may not be able to get out in Sunol - we were not allowed to leave the train - so don't plan on making a partial trip. The train has both open, though covered, cars and closed rail cars. The open cars can become quite chilly once the train is moving. Parking is available near the Niles Canyon Railway train station in Niles. Be sure to look at the map to see where it is located.

This train ride from Sunol to Niles is a reasonably priced fun family excursion. They're normally just open on weekends. In addition to their regular rides, they have wine tasting and other special event rides. During the Christmas holidays they have special Santa Trains all decked out for the holidays. However, make your reservations really early as they do sell out fast.

The trains are decorated to the hilt with tons of colorful lights - and the ride through Niles Canyon is so much fun! Every time the train goes through a curve one can see it in its full lighted glory - I recommend sitting at the front or back of the train for best views. It can get VERY cold at night - so if you want to be in the open kaboos for the best viewing experience - dress as if going to the mountains in winter!

First you drive Niles then you take the steam train on the week end. Get there early so as to make the return trip. Travels from Sunol to Niles and parallels the freight/ACE commuter rail corridor. This is about the only extended railway fanatic track in the bay area. Take the time to look around Niles too, where Chaplin made his first pictures.

Dont' miss the Christmas lights train ride or for the adults the Wine train. Check their website for run times.

A SUPER fun place for kids and families at Christmas time! Buy your tix for the 'Niles Canyon Train of Lights' because they always sell out! Also, DRESS WARM! Nights are chilly and most of the cars are open air! Bring hot cocoa! :)

Niles Canyon Railway is a fun way to take the historic train from NIles area of Fremont, California and goes through scenic Niles Canyon To Sunol, California (and return). The train trip takes a little over an hour to take. There is a small museum in the Niles Fremont Station.The train does various events throughout the year - such as the holiday train we took. There are also wine trains (enjoy some wine and appetizer (such as cheese) several times each year (generally in the warmer months in summer).Parking is available at a parking lot near the entrance area at the Niles Train Station.

I took my 7 year old great nephew who is a train lover. He really seemed to enjoy sitting in the different cars, getting a snack in the dining car, and the trip, which wasn't too long for someone with a relatively short attention span. Afterwards on a Sunday we visited the museum next to it and he really enjoyed chatting with the older train enthusiasts and watching them work on model trains.

The Niles Canyon Railroad system is run on weekends, and it uses a variety of reconditioned cars and locomotives. These lovingly restored cars are relics of a time gone by, and the conductors and docents are great at trying to provide the feel of old time railroads. As other posts have shown, they decorate these trains at certain times to reflect holidays and community events. During the Christmas season, they are festively lighted. They have been painted and covered well, but the wear on those old (and hard) benches shows. You may want to wear durable clothing. Most interesting to railroad buffs is the steam engine. They only run this engine during spring/summer, once a month, or maybe for special events, and it always draws a crowd when that steam whistle blasts. Most of the time they use a diesel electric, and also run a self powered car between Sunol to Niles and back. Also nice is that the view from the train allows you to see some old landmarks of the region - I'll leave that to the docents to explain. Worth the time, and you will no doubt find both Niles and Sunol interesting places just to spend a pleasant weekend day.

Fun ride from Niles to Sunol.......kids love it, also at times they have wine tasting onboard. Spectacularly lit for Xmas, but tickets sell out quicklyWalk over to Bronco Billys to have Pizza in Niles

Went on the Christmas Train Ride and was a lot of fun with the Christmas decorations and Christmas Carols and decorations... truly a lovely experience and great for kids.

It's a short ride there and back, but on a beautiful Bay Area day it's great to sit in the open car and wonder along with your grandchild. They have terrific volunteers on the ride and at the stations that provide insight into local history and about the railroad and engines, both diesel and steam. We haven't made the "train of lights" ride yet, but booking the ride with the steam engine working, cars decorated for the winter holidays and the festivities are something we are looking forward to. Worthy of at least riding it once. And then check out Niles, the quaint little town known not only for it's train, but also for antiques and Charlie Chaplin.

I am reviewing the 'train of lights" which is between November and December . The train is decorated both in and out and holiday songs are played over the speakers. very charming. It can get cold in the open coaches so once in a while we got a place to sit in the covered ones. Loved the chocolate chip cookies that were being sold . ample and free parking . The round trip is little more than an hour . Make sure you come atleast 15 minutes in advance . I was surprised by how popular this ride was... tickets ( even the ones on weekdays) get sold out quite fast. And oh... did i mention .. Santa rode the train too! :)

a fun venture....................this is something that families with younger children would enjoy. The fees are rather high.