PERRIS,
CALIFORNIA—
Attracted off the highway by the sight of of skydivers landing
at the Perris airport, we found ourselves following signs
for a railroad museum. As we pulled into the parking area
of the Orange Empire Railway Museum, we were startled by
a loud train whistle.This is a museum where old locomotives
never die—they give rides to visitors every weekend!
The museum rotates historic cars
and locomotives on the two tracks used for weekend visitor
rides. You never know which ones will be running, and some
equipment can't operate during rainstorms. On weekends when
no other special events are being hosted, you can usually
count on scoring a ride in both an early Los Angeles "Red
Car" and a more modern commuter train on the half-mile
"Loop Line." On the 1½-mile "Main
Line," you'll usually board an open gondola or a caboose
on a diesel or electric freight train unless you're visiting
on a day when a Pacific Electric interurban car is running.
Steam locomotives run on special occasions, which include
one day of most holiday weekends. Check the museum's
calendar of events for information.
The Orange Empire Railway Museum,
now in its fourth decade, is staffed by dedicated volunteers
like Ken Davis, pictured above.
Online:
Orange
Empire Railway Museum
