Sacramento/Mendocino/Santa Paula, California – September 18, 2024 – Get ready to embark on a spectacular holiday journey with not one, not two, but THREE enchanting train experiences! The River Fox Train’s “Magical Christmas Train,” the Skunk Train’s “Mr. Skunk and the GIANT Christmas Tree,” and the Sunburst’s “Toys for Tots Train.” Invite families and holiday enthusiasts to create cherished memories across the state.

River Fox Train – Magical Christmas Train: November 29-January 4 West Sacramento

Step aboard the Magical Christmas Train and be transported to an enchanting winter wonderland! This beloved holiday tradition is perfect for the whole family and promises to be a heartwarming experience that will create lasting memories.

Each ticket includes a 1-hour train ride, hot chocolate, a souvenir mug, and a cookie. Santa’s elves will be on board to lead holiday frivolity, elfish games, and festive activities. Children can also remind Santa how nice they’ve been all year with a letter to Santa. And the icing on the Christmas cake? Santa Claus himself will be visiting with each family, so don’t forget your camera to capture the joy.

In addition to the included hot chocolate and cookies, passengers can enjoy a selection of concessions available for purchase on board. Concessions include snacks and beverages, offering soft drinks, juice, beer, wine, ciders, and seasonal drinks.

Feel free to add a touch of magic to your holiday experience by dressing in your cozy PJs. Seating will be available in indoor cars and will be organized in a planned arrangement. If you’d like to be seated with passengers booked under a separate reservation, simply indicate your preference in the “additional notes” section when booking.

Located 15 minutes from Downtown Sacramento. For booking and inquiries, please contact the River Fox’s reservation team at 1-800-866-1690, and riverfoxtrain.com

Skunk Train – Mr. Skunk and the GIANT Christmas Tree: November 23-December 31 Willits

Embark on a yuletide adventure departing from Willits, where you’ll have the chance to view the world’s largest living Christmas tree!

Mr. Skunk personally invites you to celebrate this holiday season with a 2-hour train ride to his magical dreamland filled with festive joy. With every chug through his forest home, you can expect delicious delights like complimentary hot chocolate and holiday cookies, festive decorations and games, live music, and even a visit from Mr. Skunk himself.

The fun doesn’t end there! Soon enough the train will enter Mr. Skunk’s captivating Noyo River Basin, home of the world’s largest Christmas tree, which doubles as his very own whimsical workshop. Decorated from top to bottom, this 222-foot-tall old growth redwood is sure to impress.

This delightful journey is fun for all ages. Additional concessions available for purchase on the train include snacks, soft drinks, juice, adult beverages, and more.

Don’t miss the opportunity to join Mr. Skunk at the most memorable holiday party in the redwoods!

Located just one hour north of Santa Rosa on Hwy 101. For booking and inquiries, please contact the Skunk’s reservation team at 707-964-6371 and skunktrain.com.

Sunburst – Toys for Tots Train: December 7 Ventura County

‘Tis the season for giving back and spreading kindness! Sierra Northern Railway is partnering with Operation Toy Train on Saturday, December 7 for the ultimate holiday experience.

From Ventura to Piru, community members can join in the town’s magical festivities and donate toys to the local U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Toys for Tots Foundation.

The train stops at multiple locations – Santa Paula, Ventura, Saticoy, Fillmore, and Piru – ensuring a wide reach of toy collections and season’s greetings.

Believe in the magic of Christmas at each stop when you drop off new, unwrapped toys, view Sierra Northern’s unique railroad equipment, meet members of the Marine Corps and donation program, and even see Santa Claus himself.

All donations will directly benefit local children, ensuring the joy of Christmas is felt throughout our community.

Find out when the train will visit your area by checking the schedule here.

Make your holiday season truly special with these unique Christmas experiences on the rails. To book your tickets or learn more about these magical journeys, please visit the River Fox Train’s Magical Christmas Train, the Skunk Train’s Mr. Skunk and the GIANT Christmas Tree, and the Sunburst’s Operation Toy Train holiday partnership.

California Western Railroad / Skunk Train located in the redwood forests of Northern California’s Mendocino County, is a heritage railroad that has been operating both freight and passenger service since 1885. Initially used to move redwood logs to the Mendocino Coast sawmills from the rugged back country, the Skunk Train has become a beloved institution touted as one of the “10 Best Rail Tours in the Country” (USA Today), and a “Top 10 Family Activity in California” (National Geographic Traveler). The Skunk Train journey covers 40 miles of scenic delights and 30 bridges, all while retaining its original charm-minus the historic pungent aroma that once preceded its arrival. Operating year-round, this multi-generational experience welcomes passengers to bring along their families and even their dog, ensuring a memorable and inclusive adventure.

River Fox Train Built in 1911 by the Northern Electric Company, the River Fox Train’s 10-mile track originally transported passengers in the Sacramento area. Electric passenger travel ended in 1941, but the line remained active with diesel freight, creating a link between the fertile farmlands of the Sacramento Valley and the rest of California. In 2003, Sierra Railroad merged with the Yolo Shortline, continuing freight and reviving passenger trains under the name of Sacramento River Train. Today, the line is known as the River Fox Train, a sister of the world-famous Skunk Train built in 1885. From events like our Railbike rides; relaxing beer and wine trains; and holiday-themed outings, passengers can enjoy activities while reveling in nostalgic railroad charm.

Sunburst Sierra Northern Railway (SNR), a subsidiary of Sierra Railroad Company, was formed in 2003 through the merger of Sierra Railroad and Yolo Shortline Railroad. In 2022, SNR, along with its sister company Mendocino Railway, became the operator of the Santa Paula Branch Line after being selected by the Ventura County Transportation Commission. The Santa Paula Branch Line was originally constructed as a standard-gauge railroad by the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1887. The track was used extensively by Southern Pacific as late as the 1950s to haul citrus from packing houses to communities along the Santa Clara River. The line was purchased from Southern Pacific Railroad by the Ventura County Transportation Commission in 1995 and rented for many years to the Fillmore and Western Railway, which hosted excursion trains and film shoots. Today, Mendocino Railway operates the Sunburst Train and owns and runs the California Western Railroad/Skunk Train in Mendocino County, as well as the River Fox Train in Sacramento.

For more information or media inquiries, please contact: Kimberly Preciado Public Relations Manager Mendocino Railway [email protected]

Images available upon request.