Fresno, CA train related things to do

Just go a little north of Fresno to Sacramento.  One of the largest and nicest railroad museums there.  To see and enjoy it all takes more than one day.

Steve, Lady and Tex

Sugar pine railroad is about one north on the way to Yosemite.

Bob

Apart from the aforementioned Sugar Pine Railroad (which in itself is really neat, excursion runs being pulled by Shays), one of the local American Legion Posts having one of the historic 1949 Merci Train boxcars on outdoor display, and the local traffic on the mainline and a pretty good sized yard off the 99 Freeway, there's really not much else train-related in that immediate area.  There used to be a really neat train hobby store across the street from the convention center but that's long gone.  There's also a hobby shop in Visalia which is about 50 miles south of Fresno called Exeter Hobbies but last time I was in that shop it was predominately a R/C & raceway set shop.  The only other train-related hobby stores I know of is the Square Roundhouse in Turlock (assuming it's still there, I'm not certain) but that's about an hour and a half drive north heading towards Sacramento.  The other ones (I don't remember what they're called are both are near the coast near San Louis Obisbo which are almost a 2 hour drive southwest of Fresno.

As Steve above alluded to, most of the other big highlights are much further North; the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento is definitely worth seeing if you have the time, but it's an over 2-hour drive from Fresno.  

Ron/John,

The Square Roundhouse closed many years ago. Harold, the owner wanted to retire. Now he repairs trains out of his garage/ workshop.

The CSRM is just about 4 1/2 Hrs North. While you're there, Old Sacramento has many attractions that are a joy to see.

You can ride Amtrak from Fresno to Old Sacramento. The station is less than 1/2 blk walk to the museum. Ridding the train does not leave you much time to see anything but the museum. Have a nice visit. It's not supposed to rain.

God Bless,

"Pappy"

Thanks guys for the input. I've been to both the CSRM and the SPRR, but that was many years ago.  They are both great but I don't think I'll have time to see them this trip (darn).  I was hoping there would be something closer.  Ever since Tom's Trains and the hobby store across from the convention center closed (can't remember the name) there has been no place close to get a train fix.

The UP yard will be right on my route between mandatory visit spots (family), hopefully I can get some pictures.

Again, thanks. 

If it were me, I'd have an Amtrak timetable in my pocket and head out of town with my camera along the old Santa Fe to places like Conejo or Hanford, and photograph some of the 12 daily passenger trains in Valley scenery (almond groves, sunflower fields, other crop fields, an oil well pump jack, etc).  Also, there's street running near the Fresno depot.  And if you get as far as Wasco you can get some chile verde that will keep your fire going all day long.

BNSF runs a lot of freight trains too, but many use trackage rights on the UP (ex-SP) along Highway 99 to run through Mormon (Stockton) and save a crew change.

And, if you call them in advance, you might get some cooperation from the Southern San Joaquin Valley Railroad.  They operate the old Santa Fe east Valley line through the orange groves.  Good photo opportunities there but you have to be well-prepared or you'll spend all day listening to the bees buzz and the ties creak.