Jamestown, CA…With an extraordinary spring wildflower season expected this year, California State Parks, Railtown 1897 State Historic Park and the California State Railroad Museum Foundation are proud to provide guests with a unique opportunity to experience spring wildflowers from aboard a historic train. While the Park is open daily, special Wildflower Train Rides are available on two weekends – April 13-14 & 20-21 – and depart from the Depot promptly at 3 p.m. Prior to boarding the train, passengers will have the opportunity to learn about the wildflowers of California’s Sierra Nevada foothills with an informative naturalist presentation at 2:30 p.m.

Railtown 1897 SHP’s popular Wildflower Trains feature naturalists and Interpretive Park Rangers from the nearby Bureau of Reclamation’s New Melones Lake along with interpretive staff from Railtown 1897 SHP, answering questions and pointing out flower groupings along the way. Wildflower Trains take guests on a six-mile, one-hour roundtrip ride through the scenic landscapes of California’s Gold Country. While the abundance of wildflower viewing is dependent on annual rainfall and weather conditions, trains encounter meadows and rolling hills, with such local flora as “meadowfoam,” “goldfields” and other colorful flowers typically in bloom. Train ride guests receive a checklist, wildflower booklet and poppyseed packet, and more.

Popular Wildflower or excursion train ride tickets cost $20 for adults, $14 for youth ages 6-17 and children five and under ride free. With limited open air seating available, train ride tickets are available online in advance at https://railtown1897.org/event/wildflower-trains/ or at the ticket window beginning at 10 a.m. on the day of the ride (based on availability). Tickets include Park admission, capacity is limited, and advance reservations are suggested.

In addition to the special Wildflower Trains in the afternoon, Railtown 1897’s regular excursion trains are operating on these four dates with departures at 10:30 a.m., noon and 1:30 p.m. Regular weekend excursion ride tickets are available online or at the Depot Store, on a first-come, first-served basis. All regular weekend excursion train ride tickets include Park admission and cost $15 for adults, $10 for youth ages 6-17 and are free for children five and under.

The excursion train ride schedule is subject to change with expanded service offered on most holiday weekends. For more information about Railtown 1897 SHP, visitors are encouraged to call 209-984-3953 or visit www.railtown1897.org.

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This event repeats weekly every Sunday Saturday until 04/22/2019