Veterans Day Activities at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park
Date/Time
Date(s) - 11/11/2019
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Categories
To honor their service and celebrate the patriotic holiday, California State Parks, Railtown 1897 State Historic Park (SHP) and the California State Railroad Museum Foundation are proud to offer veterans and active military personnel with complimentary excursion train rides on Monday, November 11, 2019.
Veteran and active military personnel are encouraged to wear their uniforms with pride while enjoying a special excursion train ride behind diesel locomotive No. 1265, a rare Baldwin-Whitcomb 61-tonner 1952 former Army diesel which last served at the Riverbank Army Ammunition Plant. During the Korean War, the U.S. army decided to buy new locomotives that could be used overseas, fit foreign railroad clearances and be easily changed in gauge from standard to broad to narrow gauge. In another contract, Baldwin-Whitcomb was commissioned to build 60 units of low-profile end-cab switchers. The 1265 was one of the 60 units but was completed in 1953 just as the Korean conflict ended. Today, No. 1265 is used almost every Sunday and is the backbone and workhorse for Railtown 1897 SHP.
The special diesel locomotive will be operated by dedicated crew members, some of whom are also military veterans. Excursion train rides are available at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on this special day, delighting visitors from near and far during a six-mile, 45-minute round trip ride along the rails of the famous “Movie Railroad” while passing through California’s scenic Gold Country.
In addition, Railtown 1897 SHP is also offering complimentary admission for veterans and active military personnel during this celebratory holiday. Veterans and active military personnel must show their current military ID or proof of discharge under conditions other than dishonorable or bad conduct. For more information, call 209-984-3953 or visit www.railtown1897.org.
