Ride into the past on 19th century steam trains!
THE TRAINS:
Redwood Forest Steam Train
Druation 75 minutes
Travel over trestles, through towering redwood groves and up a winding narrow-gauge grade to the summit of Bear Mountain as conductors narrate the history of Roaring Camp, the railroad and the forest.
In the 1880s, narrow-gauge steam locomotives were used to haul giant redwood logs out of the mountains. Roaring Camp’s steam engines date from 1890 and are among the oldest and most authentically preserved narrow-gauge steam engines providing regularly scheduled passenger service in America.
Felton, Calif. – Among geared locomotives, three companies (Shay, Heisler and Climax) are widely credited with dominating the logging and industrial marketplace. Shay locomotives were designed in 1872 particularly for Western U.S. logging operations. Roaring Camp Railroads owns several Shay locomotives, a Heisler, Climax, and five diesel engines. Not all are operational as some are undergoing renovation and extensive refurbishing. On any given day, one might see one or more of the following steam locomotives transporting visitors deep into the heart of the breathtaking Santa Cruz Mountains.
All departures are roundtrip to Bear Mountain, returning to Roaring Camp.
Santa Cruz Beach Train
(Available Spring 2023)
Duration: 3 hours
Departing from the Santa Cruz Mountains, travel through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, down the scenic San Lorenzo River Gorge, across a 1909 steel truss bridge and through an 1875 tunnel before arriving at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
The Santa Cruz Big Trees & Pacific Railway operates passenger and freight services on one of the oldest and most historic lines in California. When the route opened in 1875 it carried lumber as well as picnickers and tourists to the Big Trees and Santa Cruz. Today’s Beach Train passengers can start their roundtrip journeys from either Roaring Camp in Felton or from the beach in Santa Cruz.
Departs from both the beach in Santa Cruz and Roaring Camp. See departure times for more information.
Please note that the 4:00 p.m. train leaving Santa Cruz is one way only. There is no return train to the beach.
DEPART: Roaring Camp – Felton 10:00 a.m.
ARRIVE: Santa Cruz Boardwalk 11:00 a.m.
DEPART: Santa Cruz Boardwalk 12:00 p.m.
ARRIVE: Roaring Camp – Felton 1:00 p.m.
DEPART: Roaring Camp – Felton 2:00 p.m.
ARRIVE: Santa Cruz Boardwalk 3:00 p.m.
DEPART: Santa Cruz Boardwalk 4:00 p.m.
This train is one-way only – No return train to the beach!
ARRIVE: Roaring Camp – Felton 5:00 p.m.
Educator Package: Includes educational resources, interactive project ideas, trip organization, direct experiential opportunities to help better connect the experience with your students and complimentary chaperone ticket and complimentary parking pass. Does not include student ticket.
Student Package: Includes engaging pre and post educational visit activities, trip organization and student ticket.
Roaring Camp Steam Train
Once you submit an order for tickets with your charter school, they will reach out to us with your request. You will be receiving your e-tickets and educational materials in an email within 1-2 days after we receive that request. Please make sure to check your email spam folder if you don't see your tickets in your inbox by that time. Submitting your order at least 7-14 days prior to your trip date is generally best unless you are trying to book a venue that requires more advanced planning.