Although it's a bit pricey, we took our kids on the Train of Lights ride at Christmastime. The lines are long so you have to get there early and wait in the cold, but once you're on the train there's plenty of seating. The train has an eclectic mix of cars from different eras and of different styles, so each... More

Niles is full of shops and the Niles Essanay Silent Film museum - a must for fans of Charlie Chaplin. The train station is part of the old time charm.

We did the Twighlight Train ride around Christmas time a few years ago with a Santa Visit, cookies and Coco and everyone enjoyed it immensely. There were two ticket options, covered trains and uncovered ones. I recommend the covered ones with amenities as it get very cold in the evening. You do pay $40.00 per person, but it's worth it.... More

Fun outing to take the kids on a train. Inexpensive way to spend a family afternoon together. Spend some time in Sunol or Niles as well. With all of the SF Bay Area so built up it is nice to go back in time and spend some time in a really small town.

Check out their schedules! They run steam trains, especially around the holidays. Something fun for the entire family.

I haven't been on the NC Railway for years, but back when the kids were young it was a great place to go. My dad and I were always into the" railroad" So it was only natural for me to take the kids on a real train ride.

Hard to believe that this is run by an all-volunteer staff. When the steam engine is running you feel like you have stepped back in time.

real live steam engine and volunteer "engineers" who keep the whole RR going. Runs thru undeveloped canyon. Train lovers will love it, but kids will be transported to a different time.

We've been on this train many times over the years. We've watched them expand their tracks into Downtown Niles and have gone on many of their "Train of Lights" during the Christmas season, as well as their Easter & Wine Tasting train rides. All of them have been great!! The most fun my kids ever had on this train is... More