Western Railway Museum in Suisun City, California

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Suisun City, California · Updated October 19, 2026 · 12 min read

Trolley and streetcar museumTrain ridesOpen Saturdays and Sundays year round, plus select summer weekdays

Built at Rio Vista Junction on the former Sacramento Northern main line, the Western Railway Museum preserves Northern California's electric railroads, with more than 50 historic cars on display and vintage interurbans that still carry riders 11 miles through the Solano County countryside.

  • Over 50 historic rail cars
  • 11-mile, 50-minute interurban ride
  • On the Sacramento Northern main line
  • 22 acres with shaded picnic grounds
  • Open weekends year round
  • Run by the nonprofit BAERA

Western Railway Museum at a glance

Hours
Saturdays and Sundays, 10:30 am to 5 pm year round; select summer weekdays for walking tours
Admission
Adults $19, seniors over 65 $18, children 2 to 14 $16; members free; includes weekend train rides
Train rides
50-minute, 11-mile interurban ride every weekend; included with admission
Seasonal events
Santa Trains, Pumpkin Festival, Spring Trains
Plan for
About 2 to 3 hours
Best for
Families, streetcar fans and Bay Area day trippers
Best ages
Ages 3 and up
Parking
Free bus parking for tour groups

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Western Railway Museum? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Suisun City.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

Saving the Bay Area's streetcars and interurbans on the old Sacramento Northern

The museum is the work of the Bay Area Electric Railroad Association, a nonprofit founded in 1946 to preserve the electric railways that once tied Northern California together. Those lines included the Key System, which ran East Bay local transit and Transbay commuter trains; the San Francisco Municipal Railway, a pioneering publicly owned system; and the Sacramento Northern, a colorful interurban that carried passengers and freight between San Francisco and the Sacramento Valley.

The association built its museum at Rio Vista Junction, a former Sacramento Northern station stop on State Highway 12 between Suisun City and Rio Vista. That choice put the collection on a real piece of the railroad it celebrates. The museum's trains still run over the historic Sacramento Northern line, part of the electric route that once connected San Francisco, Sacramento and Chico.

Today the grounds cover 22 acres, and the collection focuses on electric equipment: streetcars, interurban cars, light rail vehicles and the work cars that kept electric lines running. The roster lists 19 streetcars, 24 interurban cars, 9 electric locomotives, 2 steam locomotives and dozens of freight and maintenance cars, and volunteers keep it updated as work goes on.

About 1,200 members and 125 volunteers keep the museum going, alongside admissions, store sales and donations. Current campaigns include Car House Four, Car 1534, a Rapid Transit History Center and an archive expansion.

Carhouses, the Depot Cafe and a ride toward Mount Diablo

Start with the 50-minute interurban ride, an 11-mile round trip along the old Sacramento Northern through farmland and marshes with views of Mount Diablo. The operating fleet includes cars 80 to 110 years old, and trains run every weekend. Admission is good all day and covers walking tours and weekend rides, so you can explore before or after your train.

On the grounds, open-air Carhouse 1 holds local streetcars, many close to 100 years old, while indoor Carhouse 3 shelters some of the most significant pieces in the collection. Guided carhouse tours run at select times between 10:30 am and 2:30 pm, and some displays can only be seen on a guided tour to protect them. You will find cars that once ran in San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, Napa, Petaluma, Santa Rosa and other towns, plus a Museum Store, library archives, the Depot Cafe and shaded picnic grounds, including the lawns and gazebo of Laflin Park.

Don’t miss

  1. The interurban rideAn 11-mile, 50-minute round trip on a historic electric car over the real Sacramento Northern line.
  2. Carhouse 3The museum's signature indoor display space, home to many of its most significant cars and best seen on a guided tour.
  3. Sacramento Northern 1005A double-end, arch-roof wooden interurban from the railroad whose main line the museum sits on.
  4. Key System 187A three-truck, two-car articulated unit from the East Bay system that ran Transbay commuter trains.
  5. San Francisco Municipal Railway 178A double-end, arch-roof streetcar from the city's pioneering public transit system.
  6. Salt Lake and Utah parlor observation car 751A 1914 car used for private charters, with attendants in conductor uniforms.

Streetcars to explore and a picnic under the trees

The ride is the highlight for most children: a real electric train that clanks out into the countryside for nearly an hour. Back on the grounds, kids can wander open-air Carhouse 1 among old streetcars, then run off energy on the shaded lawns at Laflin Park. Seasonal events aimed at families include Spring Trains, the Pumpkin Festival and Santa Trains.

A 50-minute ride is long for some toddlers, so bring a snack. Trains leave on time, and the museum asks guests to arrive about 30 minutes before departure. Some carhouse displays are only open on guided tours, which suit older kids better than little ones.

Plan your visit: tips for Western Railway Museum

  • Book tickets online or by calling (707) 374-2978; the museum encourages advance reservations.
  • Arrive about 30 minutes before your train; departures leave on time.
  • Bring a picnic for the shaded grounds, or eat at the Depot Cafe.
  • Join a guided carhouse tour between 10:30 am and 2:30 pm to see displays not open otherwise.
  • Hours can change with weather and volunteer availability, so check before driving out.

Seasonal events bring the biggest crowds. Santa Trains run around the holidays, the Pumpkin Festival fills October, and Spring Trains welcome warmer weather, with tickets sold through the museum's events calendar. For more ideas, see our guides to Christmas train rides in California and Halloween and pumpkin train rides in California.

1,200 members and 125 volunteers

The Bay Area Electric Railroad Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, operates the Western Railway Museum with a small staff and a large volunteer corps. It is supported by about 1,200 members and 125 volunteers, plus admissions, store sales and tax-deductible gifts. Members get free admission, and visitors can help by joining, volunteering, donating to a current campaign or shopping at the Museum Store.

Rail outings from Solano County

The Napa Valley Wine Train is about 21 miles away, and the California State Railroad Museum in Old Sacramento is about 33 miles northeast. Streetcar fans can continue to the San Francisco Railway Museum, about 40 miles southwest. Browse train museums all across California for more.

Every train museum in California

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of a conductor in a blue suit shaking Rally's paw on the train
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

Private charter trains here are staffed by attendants dressed in proper conductor uniforms, and that detail made me smile. In our book, Mr. Conductor wears a blue uniform and reaches out a hand to welcome Rally aboard. For a little dog, or a little kid, a friendly face at the door makes all the difference. My mom knew that when she dreamed up this story, and you can read about her on our story page.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.

Get the free coloring pages
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

More for train families

Work or volunteer at Western Railway Museum?

We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

Western Railway Museum: 20 questions before your interurban ride

Where is the Western Railway Museum?

The Western Railway Museum is at 5848 State Highway 12, Suisun City, CA 94585, in Solano County between Suisun City and Rio Vista. It sits at Rio Vista Junction, a former Sacramento Northern station stop. The museum says it is about an hour from San Francisco or Sacramento and 35 minutes from the Napa Valley.

What are the Western Railway Museum hours?

As of October 2026, the museum is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 am to 5 pm year round, with select summer weekdays for walking tours only. It closes on some holidays. Hours can change with weather, staffing and volunteer availability, so check wrm.org or call (707) 374-2978 before you go.

How much are Western Railway Museum tickets?

As of October 2026, regular admission is $19 for adults, $18 for seniors over 65 and $16 for children ages 2 to 14. Admission is good all day and covers walking tours and weekend train rides. Museum members get in free. Special events such as Santa Trains are priced separately.

Are there discounts or promo codes for Western Railway Museum tickets?

The museum does not post promo codes in the information we reviewed. The surest way to save is membership, which includes free admission, and groups under 20 pay regular admission with a reservation while bus tour companies get special rates. Call (707) 374-2978 to ask about any current offers.

How long is the Western Railway Museum train ride?

The interurban ride is a 50-minute, 11-mile round trip along the historic Sacramento Northern Railway, through Solano County farmland and marshes with views of Mount Diablo. The operating cars are 80 to 110 years old. Trains run every weekend, and rides are included with regular admission.

What is the Western Railway Museum train schedule?

Interurban trains run every weekend during museum hours, 10:30 am to 5 pm on Saturdays and Sundays, as of October 2026. Departure times are listed when you book on wrm.org. Trains leave on time, so arrive about 30 minutes before your departure.

Do I need to book Western Railway Museum tickets in advance?

Advance booking is encouraged. All 2026 season tickets can be reserved online at wrm.org or by calling the front desk at (707) 374-2978. Booking ahead matters most for popular events like Santa Trains and the Pumpkin Festival.

Does the Western Railway Museum have Santa Trains?

Yes. Santa Trains are one of the museum's seasonal events, along with Spring Trains and the Pumpkin Festival. Dates and ticket prices are posted on the museum's events calendar each year. Advance booking is encouraged for all visits, so reserve as soon as dates are posted.

Does the Western Railway Museum have a pumpkin patch?

The museum holds a Pumpkin Festival as one of its seasonal family events in the fall. Details, dates and tickets are posted on the events calendar at wrm.org each autumn. Call (707) 374-2978 to ask what this year's festival includes.

Does the Western Railway Museum hold an Oktoberfest?

An Oktoberfest is not described in the information we reviewed, though people do search for one. The museum's posted seasonal events include Spring Trains, the Pumpkin Festival and Santa Trains. Check the events calendar at wrm.org or follow the museum on Facebook for the current lineup.

Is the Western Railway Museum connected to BART?

The information we reviewed does not describe BART service to the museum, which is out in the countryside on Highway 12, about an hour from San Francisco. The museum does list a Rapid Transit History Center among its current campaigns. Ask the museum at (707) 374-2978 about its rapid transit exhibits.

What trains are at the Western Railway Museum?

The collection focuses on electric railways: 19 streetcars, 24 interurban cars, 9 electric locomotives, light rail cars, freight cars and maintenance cars, plus two steam locomotives and a few diesel switchers. Featured cars include Sacramento Northern 1005, Key System 187 and 271, and San Francisco Municipal Railway 178 and 1016.

What is the Sacramento Northern collection at the Western Railway Museum?

The museum sits on the former Sacramento Northern main line, and its rides run on the historic railway, which once linked San Francisco, Sacramento and Chico. Its collection includes Sacramento Northern equipment such as interurban car 1005, a double-end, arch-roof wooden car.

Who runs the Western Railway Museum?

The Bay Area Electric Railroad Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1946, runs the museum. It is supported by about 1,200 members and 125 volunteers, along with admissions, store sales and donations. The business office is open weekdays and can be reached at (707) 374-2978.

How do I become a Western Railway Museum member?

Membership is available through the Become A Member page on wrm.org. Members get free admission and support the museum's preservation work. For membership questions, call (707) 374-2978 during business office hours, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm.

Can I rent the Western Railway Museum for a group or party?

Yes. Private train charters use the 1914 Salt Lake and Utah parlor observation car 751, which seats 38, with a second car for 50 more. The F.M. Smith Memorial Library hosts meetings for up to 50, and Laflin Park hosts picnics and weddings for 40 to 500. Call (707) 374-2978.

Is the Western Railway Museum good for kids?

Yes. Kids can ride a real historic electric train for 50 minutes, explore streetcars in open-air Carhouse 1 and play on the shaded picnic lawns. Children 2 to 14 pay a reduced price. The ride is long for very young toddlers, so bring a snack.

Is there food at the Western Railway Museum?

Yes. The museum has the Depot Cafe, and its large, shaded picnic grounds welcome visitors who bring their own lunch. Laflin Park has 1.5 acres of lawn, a gazebo and plenty of shade trees. There is also a Museum Store on site.

How long should we spend at the Western Railway Museum?

Plan for two to three hours: about an hour for the train ride and boarding, plus time for the carhouses, a guided tour and a picnic. The museum suggests bus groups allow one to two hours for a ride and walking tour.

What else is near the Western Railway Museum?

The Napa Valley Wine Train is about 21 miles away, and the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento about 33 miles. The museum also suggests the Jelly Belly Factory, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and Suisun Valley wineries. The San Francisco Railway Museum is about 40 miles away.

Keep exploring

More family train guides from Rally

Kelsey Cecil
Previous

Train Museums in Alabama: Every Railroad Museum by Town
Next

Whitewater Valley Railroad in Connersville, Indiana