The California State Railroad Museum & Foundation are celebrating members of the U.S. Armed Forces (current and former) with FREE excursion train rides on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 16, 2026. The celebratory train rides are available for both coach and first class (based on availability) as the historic locomotive rolls along the Sacramento Southern Railroad. Trains are scheduled to be powered that day by a military locomotive, No. 1655*, which served the Air Force from 1952 to 1994. Five train departures are available on Armed Forces Day, departing at 10 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:15 p.m. and 3 p.m.
The 45-minute train ride experience offers a unique and special way to honor those who serve while spending time together, enjoying a train travel experience reminiscent of an earlier time, and appreciating scenic views of the Sacramento River along the way.
In addition to the free train rides for members of the Armed Forces,guests traveling with active service members or veterans are eligible for $1 off the ticket price. All train ride tickets may be picked up in the ticket office of the Central Pacific Passenger Station on Front Street between I and J streets at the Old Sacramento Waterfront.
To receive the free train ride ticket on Armed Forces Day, the service member must present military ID at the ticket window when picking up tickets. For the reduced cost tickets ($1 off), guests must be accompanied by the service member or veteran at the ticket window when picking up tickets. Active-duty members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force and Coast Guard are eligible, as are reservists, National Guard members and veterans of the same as noted above.
Advance reservations for the FREE tickets for members of the Armed Forces are available here (valid only on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 16). If still available, same-day tickets are available at the ticket office. For more information about the California State Railroad Museum or Foundation, please visit www.californiarailroad.museum.
*Motive power subject to change on short notice.
