SUISUN CITY, CA
At a Glance
- TypeHeritage railroad & tourist attraction
- LocationSUISUN CITY, CA
- Rating4.6 ★685 Google reviews
About Western Railway Museum
Riding a 1.5‑mile streetcar or a 10‑mile interurban through Solano County, the Western Railway Museum sits on Highway 12 between Rio Vista and Suisun on the former Sacramento Northern mainline. Operated year‑round by the Bay Area Electric Railroad Association, the site features the largest collection of Sacramento Northern equipment in existence, offering scheduled heritage excursions, shaded picnic grounds, a visitor center with a cafe, bookstore and research library.
Upcoming Events
No ticketed events are currently listed for Western Railway Museum. Many heritage operators publish schedules seasonally or run on regular open hours instead of dated events.
Check the operator’s website for current hours and special runs, or subscribe to event alerts and we’ll email you when something is scheduled.
Plan Your Visit
- Trip Length50-minute rides
- ParkingFree lot · paid lot · street parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible entrance · accessible restroom · accessible parking
- Good ForAll ages
- HoursMonday: ClosedTuesday: ClosedWednesday: ClosedThursday: 9:30 AM – 2:30 PMFriday: ClosedSaturday: 9:30 AM – 4:00 PMSunday: 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Find the Depot
The Trains
The museum’s collection includes roughly one hundred pieces, among them Sacramento Northern interurban car 62 (a 1920 Birney streetcar), interurban car 1005 (originally Oakland, Antioch and Eastern 1005, restored to its 1934 configuration), and a handful of Western Pacific steam locomotives, while operational rides use former Key System Bridge Units 182 and 187. Visitors can ride a 1.5‑mile (2.4 km) streetcar line and a 10‑mile (16 km) interurban line that runs along the former Sacramento Northern Railway from Rio Vista Junction northward to Dozier, with an additional newer segment extending west from Dozier toward Cannon near Vacaville. The heritage railway is being re‑electrified southward from Rio Vista Junction to Bird’s Landing Road (about six miles) and restored northward toward Molena, preserving the original standard‑gauge track.
History
See full history
The Bay Area Electric Railroad Association (BAERA) forms in 1946 when a group of San Francisco‑area rail enthusiasts organizes to focus on electric traction. After acquiring Key System streetcar 271 and other equipment, members secure a permanent site at Rio Vista Junction in 1960, a former Sacramento Northern station near Suisun. During the 1960s BAERA incorporates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational corporation and launches the California Railway Museum as its principal project. To avoid confusion with the California State Railroad Museum, the institution is renamed the Western Railway Museum at the beginning of 1985. In 1994 the museum purchases 22 miles of former Sacramento Northern right‑of‑way, and in 2001 a Visitors Center is dedicated. Construction of the Loring Jensen Memorial Car House begins in 2002 and the fire‑suppressed facility officially opens in May 2008.
Around the Depot
Napa Valley Wine TrainTrain Ride·★ 4.6 (4993)23 miView →
Redwood Valley RailwayTrain Ride·★ 4.9 (1864)29 miView →
Golden Gate Railroad Museum (GGRM)Museum·★ 5 (1)31 miView →
Sacramento Southern RailroadTrain Ride·★ 4.7 (19)32 miView →
Sonoma TraintownTrain Ride·★ 4.5 (1563)32 miView →
Sacramento Valley Historical RailwaysTrain Ride·★ 5 (2)33 miView →Getting There & Staying Nearby
Optional trip extras from our travel partners.
Rent a Car
Most heritage railroads sit well off the interstate. Picking up a rental at the nearest airport is usually the easiest way in.
Compare rentals on Discover Cars →Bookings made through this link support usatrainrides at no extra cost to you.
Tours & Activities near Suisun City
Tours
Guided tours, day trips, and things to do around the area, bookable in advance through Viator.
Browse nearby tours →Bookings made through this link support usatrainrides at no extra cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Western Railway Museum located?
SUISUN CITY, CA 94585
How do I get tickets to Western Railway Museum?
Tickets and current schedules are available on the operator's official website at https://www.wrm.org/.