Chug-A-Chug Choo Choo

We thought we had hit all major train rides in the greater Bay Area, clearly, we hadn't. For those of you who are train enthusiasts or happen to be related to some that are, definitely bring them to the Niles Canyon Railway. It's a decent, though not always comfortable (depends on how many people are riding that day), but certainly affordable, train ride that lasts for an hour and a half. It comprises of original steam trams (maybe diesel too?) that provide both open and indoor seating. The caboose can be rented for private parties too. I gathered my gang up this past Sunday to do the train ride since Micro still has a soft spot for trains. There are two stations you can board on/off for the train ride. One is in Fremont in Niles Canyon, and the other is in Sunol.

They offer train service year-round on Sundays. They offer a popular train ride called, Train of Lights, that runs during the Fall/Winter season in the evenings. The trains are all decorated in Christmas decor and lit from the outside. When we rode this past weekend, the car we were in already had garland up.

Micro & Lola getting ready. He loves looking at maps.

Look at the amazing sky

The ride was relaxing and enjoyable, that is, if you score a coveted seat. There is a car where it's standing room only, but for the most part, it's difficult to get a seat. It's first come, first serve. The railway is run by volunteers. The conductors onboard and all the staff are quite friendly and happy to oblige the little ones. Lola came along for the ride as well. We went through the Niles and Sunol Canyons full of lush greenery with beautiful hues of blue above. We were lucky to get seats and managed to keep the kids entertained throughout the experience.

For the most part, we enjoyed it. Micro, missed his nap which accounted for his sour mood and fatigue towards the end of the ride. I plan on taking my gang on the Train of Lights.