SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – The 3rd Annual San Bernardino Railroad Days will be held at the historic Santa Fe Depot in San Bernardino on April 16 and 17, 2011. Train lovers can tour the #3751 Steam Engine along with the six restored train cars at the depot upon its arrival from Los Angeles at approximately 11:30 a.m. on Saturday until it departs on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. Tours are free.
Tickets are available for purchase to ride in one of the historic train cars which will be pulled by the Steam Engine. Ticket prices are round trip, with one leg of the trip aboard the #3751 Steam Engine Train and another aboard the modern Metrolink.
“Trains have played a vital role in the growth and development of San Bernardino throughout its history,” states Steven Shaw, president of the San Bernardino Historical and Pioneer Society. “The first railroad arrived in San Bernardino in 1883, and in the early 1900’s Santa Fe was San Bernardino’s largest employer with half of the working people of San Bernardino working for the railroad. To actually be able to ride a train today pulled by a steam engine is truly an experience which we are making possible during our San Bernardino Railroad Days.”
Other festivities taking place at the Santa Fe Depot, located at 1170 West 3rd Street, San Bernardino, during Railroad Days include: Live music on stage, photographic displays, model train displays, a mechanical bull, antique fire trucks and automobiles, re-enactors strolling throughout the area, food vendors, train-related booths, drawings to win prizes, and more. The San Bernardino History and Railroad Museum, located at the Depot, will be open to the public both days at no charge. It contains many unique railroad memorabilia and one-of-a-kind artifacts, antique horse-drawn buggies and the first automobile operated in San Bernardino.
“We decided to enhance this year’s San Bernardino Railroad Days,” says Wayne Austin, president and CEO of the San Bernardino Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Last year we had a great turn-out, so we wanted to give the spectators even more to do this year. By bringing in live music, re-enactors and additional hands-on activities, it will give everyone a real taste to what it was like in the booming railroad days of San Bernardino. It will be like stepping back in time.”
The #3751 Steam engine was restored by the San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society. Today, it is a fully functioning locomotive, but only travels the rails on special occasions like Railroad Days. It is normally kept in storage in Los Angeles.
The Steam Engine Train Rides are available on Saturday, April 16 by riding the Metrolink #351, leaving San Bernardino at 7:00 a.m. and arriving at the Los Angeles Union Station at 8:35 a.m. where ticket holders will then board the train cars being pulled by the #3751 Steam Engine, arriving in San Bernardino at approximately 11:30 a.m. The train will consist of six private passenger cars: CN Business car “Tioga Pass”, built in 1959; SP Club Lounge #2981 “Overland Trail”, built in 1949; UP5430 Chair car “Amber Trail”, built in 1950; CB&Q 4735 Dome Diner Lounge Silver Splendor”, built in 1956; CP 4210 Baggage Car “Pony Express”, built in 1941; and a 55-seat Oceanview Dome Car, built in 1955. On Sunday, April 17 the Steam Engine train will depart San Bernardino at 3:00 p.m. and arrive at the Los Angeles Union Station at approximately 4:15 p.m. Those who will return to San Bernardino will do so on the Metrolink #368 departing Los Angeles at 5:35 p.m. or the #376 departing at 9:00 p.m.
San Bernardino Railroad Days are Saturday, April 16 from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 17 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Santa Fe Depot located at 1170 West 3rd Street, San Bernardino.
Proceeds from the Steam Engine Train ticket sales will benefit the San Bernardino Historical and Pioneer Society. The San Bernardino Convention & Visitors Bureau (SBCVB) is a non-profit corporation providing destination sales and marketing services for the City of San Bernardino. For more information on San Bernardino Railroad Days go to www.sbrailroaddays.com or call 909.388.2934.