Fremont’s Niles Canyon Railway is back hosting scenic train rides for the 2026 season, offering Bay Area riders a rare opportunity to travel along the original route of the Transcontinental Railroad!
From March through October, volunteers welcome the public for onboard excursions in the East Bay hills on select weekends.
The line through Niles Canyon to San Francisco was built in 1870 as the final segment of the First Transcontinental Railroad, providing the first rail connection between the Bay Area and the rest of the country.
Here’s a closer look.
2026 train rides on the Niles Canyon Railway
The Niles Canyon Railway started hosting public train rides in the late 1980s. In 2026, it’s currently running steam and diesel-powered train rides on the 2nd and 3rd weekend of every month through October, departing at 10:30 am and 1 pm, rain or shine.
Trains take off from Sunol station, traveling 1 hour and 20 minutes round-trip to the Niles/Fremont station and back.
Look out for the special “Beer on the Rails” events, where guests can enjoy a 2-hour ride including lunch and a beer tasting from local breweries. These events are available on only two more dates this year: August 2nd and September 6th.
The Niles Canyon Railway is one of the best-preserved segments of the First Transcontinental Railroad in the United States, according to the National Park Service. It’s also one of the only examples of a mainline railroad that hasn’t been substantially altered, retaining most of its features from the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Today, passengers can experience the ride in much the same way that early travelers did, from the narrow railroad bed to the sharp turns. Behind the scenes, every single train is operated entirely by volunteers from the Pacific Locomotive Association.
Plan your trip on the Niles Canyon Railway website, which has everything you need to know about the latest fare changes, which types of trains are available on a given day, and scheduling updates. Tickets start at $25.
