Western Pacific Railroad Museum, Portola, California

The Western Pacific Railroad Museum is located less than an hour's drive from Downtown Reno and Lake Tahoe in Portola, California. Located on California Highway 70 at the top of the scenic "Feather River Canyon", regardless of where you're coming from, the drive to Portola is always a scenic one, worth every bit of the trip itself.

Once you arrive in Portola, follow the signs around town to the Western Pacific Railroad Museum.

- From Highway 70, you will turn southeast and cross the Feather River on the Gulling Street bridge.

- Make the first right turn on Commercial Street, heart of downtown Portola.

- Follow the signs to Pacific Street, where you will make a gentle left turn, followed by a right turn on Western Pacific Way.

- As you pass the city's "Equipment Yard", you'll pass through the front gate, and into the museum grounds, where over 100 pieces of historic railroad rolling stock awaits you and your family.

Don't worry about the kids; there is a very good reason that if you look around you, seldom will you see a "no climbing" or "Please do not touch" sign. In fact, we encourage our visitors to climb aboard and experience our collection in a truly "Hands-on" way.

Sit in the engineers seat behind the controls of the mighty UP 6946, the largest diesel locomotive EVER built.

Tour vintage passenger cars and see what rail travel was like before the days of Amtrak. Sit in the Conductors seat in one of our many restored cabooses. Marvel at the variety of freight cars and locomotives. And take plenty of pictures to remember your families experience at the West's premier Rail Museum!

The Feather River Canyon is beautiful country year round, with plenty to see and do all year. The Western Pacific Railroad Museum is located atop the headwaters of the North Fork of the Feather River in the quaint mountain town of Portola. Lodging, restaurants, and plenty of shopping options are available in Portola, along with many options for family fun and entertainment in and around town. For a printable map of the town and nearby accommodations, print the map below and bring it with you!

Map opens in Adobe .PDF Reader. To get your free copy of Adobe .PDF reader, click HERE.

Upon entering the museum grounds, please purchase admission wrist bands and train ride tickets in our newly remodeled gift shop, located at the entrance to the Diesel Shop. Snacks, cold drinks and gifts may also be purchased.

2013 Admission Prices:

Adults:

Children:

Family Pass*:

Children under 4 years old admitted free

*Family Pass - 2 Adults and all children under 18 in your party

Train Ride Tickets:

Train ride tickets good all day

Per Person:

Family Pass:

*Family Pass - 2 Adults and all children under 18 in your party

$8.00

$4.00

$20.00

$4.00

$10.00

Locomotive Cab Rides:

*Price good for one cab ride with the engineer. All riders must have a completed release (pink) form and present to engine crew before engine is coupled to the train. No cab rides will be accommodated during special event weekends.

Adults: $20.00

Children: $10.00

Portola is only an hour's drive from Reno, Lake Tahoe, Truckee & Carson City. We're a scenic 3 hour drive from Sacramento & the Central Valley, and a 4 and a half hour drive from the San Francisco Bay Area. Come on up and make a weekend getaway out of your museum visit! There are plenty of accommodations & local attractions to appeal to everyone and make your families vacation experience an unforgettable one!

For more information on attractions near the Western Pacific Railroad Museum, visit our friends at the Plumas County Visitors Bureau and pick up your free visitors guide.

Order your free visitors guide!

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Operated by the Feather River Rail Society, a California 501c3 Non Profit Organization

700 Western Pacific Way, Portola, California 96122 | 530.832.4131 | info@wplives.org