Niles Canyon Railway — Attraction in Pleasanton

This was a fantastic experience! The spring scenery along Niles Canyon was absolutely breathtaking, with lush greenery everywhere. The rhythmic clatter of the wheels on the tracks was incredibly soothing and relaxing. The train itself is decorated in a charming vintage style and is impeccably clean. It's a perfect outing for families, including those with young children.

At Sunol Station, there's a small museum that pays tribute to the Chinese workers who crossed the ocean to help build the western railroads in America. These remarkable individuals made significant contributions and sacrifices in constructing the transcontinental railroad, which became the vital artery connecting the eastern and western United States. We salute their enduring legacy and honor their memory.

A helpful tip: While you can purchase tickets online in advance, there's a $1.5 service fee per ticket. If you're more flexible, you can check the website the day before your planned trip to see if tickets are still available. If there are, you can buy them at the station without the extra fee.

The poem by DeepSeek. Spring Journey on the Niles Canyon Scenic Train

Through Niles Canyon, spring unfolds, A tapestry of green and gold. The rhythmic clack of wheels on track, A soothing song that calls us back.

Vintage cars, so clean, so bright, A timeless charm, a pure delight. Families gather, laughter rings, A journey steeped in simple things.

At Sunol Station, stories wait, Of those who shaped a nation's fate. From distant shores, they crossed the sea, To build the iron artery.

Through sweat and toil, they laid the line, A bridge of steel, a dream divine. Their legacy, the tracks still bear, A testament beyond compare.

As twilight falls, the train rolls on, Through canyon depths and hills beyond. A springtime ride, a tale retold, Of nature's grace and...

I rode the Christmas Train of Lights at Niles Canyon Railway with my family for the first time this year and it was magical. Full disclosure that the tickets go on sale in October and go immediately - the ticketing site and it’s queuing process is not easy to use. But luckily for me, I got tickets in the Parlor Car. General admission you need to get there early and wait in line to get first come first serve seats in either a traditional car or an open air (read: cold!!) one. For the parlor car we went straight on board our car which has seats arranged along the edges and tables for our hot chocolates. This car was lovely. Next year I want to try the dome car. All the other cars are also beautifully decorated and you can walk through the whole train (except the dome and parlor if you don’t have that wrist band) while the train is going, which is really fun, especially when the rain goes on a slight bend and you can see all the lights down the exterior side from the open air cars. Santa will also come to visit you during your ride and stop for photos. This is an all-volunteer run operation and it just has a very homespun, sweet feel that I appreciated. The price is also totally reasonable, especially compared with “The Polar Express” and other Christmas trains I’ve found in NorCal. I plan on making this one a holiday tradition. Thanks,...

Another year,another wonderful trip on the Niles Canyon railway. Our fifth trip. If you would like to spend a magical few hours with friends,family a new girlfriend,a wife o 25 years (mine) or by yourself then I highly recommend taking this wonderful little journey right here in our own backyard. The train is beautifully decorated for the holiday's and everyone is in the spirit and very polite and happy. The adults are bigger " kids" than the children are. Everyone is actually buzzing to get on the old locomotive and hear, " All aboard" and hear the clanking bell as the old train puffs it's way out the yard.

It's not a long ride at all, but long enough for you to take photos with family and friends. Have coffee and hot chocolate.Talk to complete strangers, wish them a happy safe holiday as you would to someone you've known for your entire liife. It's a positive and wonderful experience that needs to be experienced and supported by our communities. It's simple, it's fun, it's local and it's beautifully done and run how things use to be. By humans and no computers. Funny, everything ran perfectly and on time. It's a wonderful experience. Go enjoy it!

Go! Go enjoy something wonderful,simple and beautiful with friends and family!. Merry Christmas to all! Remember, love starts within your heart, so share...