News Release Railtown 1897 Steam Train Operating Season Opens April 2-3 Calaveras, Mariposa and Tuolumne County Residents Ride FREE All Weekend! JAMESTOWN, Calif. - On Saturday and Sunday, April 2-3, Railtown 1897 State Historic Park (SHP) in Jamestown will begin the first weekend of steam train operations for 2011. Once underway, steam-powered excursion trains will depart on-the-hour from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekends through October. And, during opening weekend only, residents of Calaveras, Mariposa and Tuolumne counties ride for free with proof of residency. Visitors from near and far are encouraged to step aboard for a six-mile, 40-minute roundtrip ride along the rails of the famous "Movie Railroad," passing through California's scenic Gold Country. To kick off the first day of operations on Saturday, April 2, the public is invited to attend the "Early Bird" program that starts at 7 a.m. in the Roundhouse to watch as the crew lights the fire and prepares the locomotive for the day. The locomotive is started with the tossing of a burning rag into the firebox, then the crew works to fuel, lubricate and water the engine as the boiler is slowly brought up to temperature. Knowledgeable guides will be on hand in the Roundhouse to narrate every step of the process. Then, interested spectators can follow it out into the yard and watch the turntable in operation as the crew moves the locomotive into place at the Depot. The official ceremonies begin with Vietnam Veteran Jim Sutherland performing the national anthem and a raising of the flag at 9:45 a.m. followed by a grand entrance and ceremonial whistle blowing. Throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday, many other special activities will be offered as well, including railcar rides, tours of the historic roundhouse and demonstrations of the historic belt-driven machine shop. Tickets for the steam train excursion rides aboard "mountain observation cars" are $13 for adults, $6 for youths ages 6-17 and kids five and under are free. All tickets include park admission and are available on a first-come, first served basis at the ticket window beginning at 10 a.m. on the days the trains are running. About Railtown 1897 State Historic Park Operated by California State Parks with assistance from the nonprofit California State Railroad Museum Foundation, Railtown 1897 State Historic Park offers year-round tours plus train rides weekends April-October (selected dates only November-December). Known as "The Movie Railroad," the Park and its trains have been featured in hundreds of feature films, TV shows, and commercials. The Park is located at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Reservoir Road in Jamestown, reached by highways 49/108. Open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day, the Park's operating hours vary by season: April-October, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; November-March, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. For more information, call Railtown 1897 State Historic Park at (209) 984-3953, or visit our Web site at www.railtown1897.org * * * What: Weekend Steam-Powered Excursion Train Rides Where: Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, Jamestown When: Weekends beginning April 2 thru October 30, 2011 Cost: Free on April 2-3 for Calaveras, Mariposa and Tuolumne residents only (with proof of residency) General: $13 adults, $6 youths ages 6-17, free for children 5 and under For More: 209-984-4408 or visit www.railtown1897.org Suggested copy: All aboard as Railtown 1897 State Historic Park resumes its popular steam-powered excursion train rides through California's scenic Gold Country! On weekends beginning in April and continuing through October, guests will enjoy a memorable six-mile, 40-minute round trip ride along the rails of the famous "Movie Railroad." Plus, on opening weekend, local residents from Calaveras, Mariposa and Tuolumne counties can ride completely free with proof of residency. And, Railtown 1897 visitors can also enjoy other opening weekend festivities such as railcar rides, tours of the historic roundhouse and demonstrations of the historic, belt-driven machine shop. Steam-powered excursion train rides are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the ticket window beginning at 10 a.m. on the days the trains are running. Don't miss the rail-related fun at Railtown 1897, for more information, call 209-984-4408 or visit www.railtown1897.org. News Release Celebrate Spring Aboard Railtown's Wildflower Train! Tickets on Sale Now for Two Saturdays Only: April 9 & 16 JAMESTOWN, Calif. - On two upcoming Saturdays -- April 9 & 16 -- Railtown 1897 State Historic Park (SHP) will provide guests with a unique opportunity to experience spring wildflowers from onboard a train! The special afternoon wildflower trains will depart from the Railtown Depot promptly at 4:30 p.m. Prior to boarding the train, passengers will have the opportunity to learn about the wildflowers of California's Sierra Nevada foothills. Railtown's popular Wildflower Trains feature Interpretive Park Rangers from the nearby New Melones Recreation Resource Center, answering questions and pointing out flower groupings along the way. Wildflower Trains take guests on a six-mile, one-hour roundtrip ride through the scenic, rolling landscapes of California's Gold Country. Along the way, trains encounter meadows and rolling hills, with such local flora as "meadow foam," "gold fields" and other colorful flowers typically in bloom. Weather permitting, a stop along the route will provide passengers with the opportunity to distribute wildflower seeds, too! Train capacity is limited, and reservations are suggested. Wildflower train tickets are available online now at www.railtown1897.org and cost $21 for adults, $10 for youth ages 6-17, and children five and under ride free. Railtown's regular excursion trains are operating on these two Saturdays as well with departures on-the-hour from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets for steam train excursion rides aboard "mountain observation cars" are $13 for adults, $6 for youths ages 6-17 and kids five and under are free. All tickets include park admission and are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the ticket window beginning at 10 a.m. About Railtown 1897 State Historic Park Operated by California State Parks with assistance from the nonprofit California State Railroad Museum Foundation, Railtown 1897 State Historic Park offers year-round tours plus train rides weekends April-October (selected dates only November-December). Known as "The Movie Railroad," the Park and its trains have been featured in hundreds of feature films, TV shows, and commercials. The Park is located at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Reservoir Road in Jamestown, reached by highways 49/108. Open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day, the Park's operating hours vary by season: April-October, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; November-March, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. For more information, call Railtown 1897 State Historic Park at (209) 984-3953, or visit our Web site at www.railtown1897.org * * * Calendar Announcement What: Wildflower Train Rides Where: Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, Jamestown When: Two Saturdays Only - April 9 & 16, 2011 Cost: $21 adults, $10 youths ages 6-17, free for children 5 and under For More: 209-984-4408 or visit www.railtown1897.org Suggested copy: With spring in full bloom, Railtown 1897 State Historic Park is offering special Wildflower Train Rides on two Saturday afternoons only! Guests will enjoy a unique experience as they treat their eyes to beautiful wildflowers from onboard a train! And, prior to boarding, passengers will have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with wildflowers of the Sierra Nevada foothills. Then, along the six-mile, one-hour train ride through the scenic Gold Country, guests will encounter meadows and rolling hills, with such flora as "meadow foam," "gold fields" and other colorful flowers typically in bloom. Plus, guests are even able to take wildflower seeds home to spread for themselves! Advance reservations are suggested and tickets are available now for online purchase at www.railtown1897.org. Traci Rockefeller Cusack T-Rock Communications 916-213-4373