Stepping onto the platform, you’re immediately swept back in time. As steam swirls around you, the click-clack of wheels on tracks and the echo of the station master’s voice transport you to the golden age of rail travel. This September 9th and 10th, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, Los Angeles Union Station, in conjunction with Metro, Amtrak and Metrolink, gears up to host a vibrant and immersive event like no other – the Union Station Train Festival 2023. The event combines railroad history, modern innovation, and family-friendly activities to celebrate train travel’s past, present, and future.
“Through the grandeur of the Union Station Train Festival 2023, we intend to ignite and inspire the rail enthusiast in all of us,” comments George Meyer, VP and General Manager at Los Angeles Union Station. “A fascinating journey through the ages of rail awaits visitors. Welcome aboard!”
Train Festival 2023 is Full Steam Ahead for Sept. 9 & 10, 2023
Exclusive tours of various railroad equipment, including those stationed on tracks 13, 14, and 15, offer a tangible journey through the past century of rail technology. Iconic displays range from the historical Steam Locomotive Santa Fe 3751, which triumphantly pulled the first named passenger train into Union Station in 1939, to the modern era’s passenger and freight hardware. Additional exhibitions include fascinating equipment, like the patriotic red, white, and blue ATSF 5704 diesel from the Southern California Railway Museum and Metrolink’s technologically advanced F125 Locomotive. The historic Tioga Pass, a vintage private car from LARail.com, and the National Forum, a 1956 Pullman sleeping car from the Pacific Railroad Society, round out the impressive lineup.
Inside Union Station’s bustling Ticket Concourse, you’ll find an extensive collection of model train displays meticulously crafted by Southern California’s most prestigious model train clubs. Each club, from the Group 160 NTRAK Club to the Southern California Z Scale Model Railroading Group, brings its unique model train vision to life, allowing visitors to operate trains and explore intricately designed layouts. These displays honour railroading’s transformative impact on American life, from the steam and diesel eras to contemporary transit solutions.
In addition to exploring the world of trains, the festival attendees will embark on a journey through the architectural and cultural heritage of Union Station itself. Guided and self-led tours will unveil the station’s rich history and continued significance as an iconic Southern California landmark. Discover hidden gems and learn about Union Station’s legacy in Hollywood films with the California Preservation Foundation, the Los Angeles Conservancy, and Metro Art.
Delve deeper into the intriguing world of railroading at information booths hosted by Metro, Amtrak, and Metrolink. The Los Angeles Railroad Heritage Foundation (LARHF) will share insights into LA’s railroading history, and the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) will offer a glimpse into the magical world of scale model railroading. The RailPAC will advocate for expanding safe, reliable passenger rail services, while the California High-Speed Rail activation station will present a vision of future rail travel.
A highlight for attendees will be the surprise distribution of Train Festival 2023 commemorative TAP Cards. These special-edition cards, each loaded with a day’s worth of free Metro fare, will be available at designated times over the festival’s two-day run, subject to availability.
Los Angeles Union Station and its partners invite all train enthusiasts, historians, industry professionals, and curious community members to participate in this unique celebration. For a thrilling exploration of rail history, modern innovation, and a glimpse into the future of travel, join the Union Station Train Festival 2023.
Discover the Los Angeles Union Station Train Festival 2023: A Celebration of Past, Present & Future at unionstationla.com.
Written by: Matthew Thomas
