Behind the Scenes Private Tour of the SPCRR Shop and Yard
Thursday, April 25, 2024 1-5 PM
This Tour Limited to 30 Attendees Due to Train Capacity and other events Currently 6 seats are available
See the SPCRR shops that are closed to the public
This tour has it all, rich history, amazing finds, the long road to restoration, cool railroad cars, and even a train ride. And the tour areas are normally closed to the public. As part of the tour, you are going where the public and tours are normally not allowed to go.
This tour will let you see not only completed cars, but also some works in progress and some future projects, along with all of the components necessary to rebuild a 1890s railcar.
The SPCRR is dedicated to finding and preserving the cars built by the Carter Brothers and their compatriots of the golden age of narrow gauge railroads in California. The SPCRR has a number of completed, current and future projects.
The SPCRR Tour
The tour will start with a train ride in cars and engine rebuilt by the Society over the tracks they have built. After a short train ride, the tour group will disembark at the SPCRR shop building and surrounding yards. We will have tours of different parts of the overall facility, the shop, the yards, current projects, archives, and more. Come and learn how the SPCRR is preserving not only the history of the SPCRR (the railroad), but a rich part of California history that helped define the state then and today..
See Narrow Gauge Cars from the Dawn of California Railroading
On the tour you will see cars that are completed, under restoration, and awaiting restoration. See how early narrow gauge cars were built; and how they are being restored.
Before and After the Tour
The SPCRR Shop at Ardenwood Historical Farm Park is in Fremont, a 20 minute freeway drive from the Sonesta San Jose. There are a wide range of lunch options within 5 minutes or on the way to the SPCRR. A list of suggested lunch options will be provided.
After the tour ends at about 3PM, Ardenwood Farm Park will be open until 4 PM and has a nice display of early farming machinery and other interesting displays. There may be local layouts open after the tour as well.
Finally, for your return and dinner, there are many places to eat in Newark and Fremont on the way back to the Sonesta.
Layouts Open After the Tour
There will be local layouts open after the SPCRR Tour for tour attendees to visit.
Jack Burgess famous Yosemite Valley and Jim Diaz amazing Western Pacific layouts will be open, along with the The Tri-City Society of Model Engineers Club. This will be a great opportunity to see Jack’s layout and talk to him about the SPCRR.
SPCRR Tour Schedule
Tour Fare
For insurance and liability reasons, all attendees are asked to become SPCRR members as part of the tour. The fare for the tour is $21 and includes one year of SPCRR membership, the train ride, and the shop and yard tour. All attendees will have to pay a separate $7 charge to the East Bay Park System for admission to Ardenwood Farm Park. Note to current SPCRR members going on the SPCRR tour, you do not need to pay the $21, please send an email to pcr2024chair@pcrnmra.org and to registrar2024@pcrnmra.org. You will be signed up for the tour directly without using RegFox.
Tour Registration Available Now!!!
Tour Accessibility – PLEASE READ!
The SPCRR shop tour is in areas that are not maintained for public access. Participation in this activity requires that you are able to walk unassisted over uneven ground and around obstacles. You should plan on standing for over an hour and walking about a one-mile distance. There will be an early return train if you wish to look from the more level areas and then return to see the rest of the park. If you have a question about participation, please contact Jay Shellen at hoosierdadee@gmail.com.
Liability Release
All participants in the SPCRR tour will be required to sign a liability release.
About Ardenwood Historical Farm
Ardenwood Historic Farm offers a glimpse into life on a family farm between 1890 and 1930. Step back in time as you explore the remnants of the once vast estate of George and Clara Patterson, whose family farmed the land for over 100 years, beginning in the 1850s. East Bay Regional Park District has operated the property as a fully functioning, turn-of-the-last-century farm since 1985.
