Ardenwood Rail Fair — Steam Trains & Models

The Society for the Preservation of Carter Railroad Resources plans to bring its annual Rail Fair back to Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont over Memorial Day weekend, with train rides, model layouts and museum displays scheduled from May 23 through May 25. The nonprofit says the event will run daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 34600 Ardenwood Blvd., the site of the Railroad Museum at Ardenwood. East Bay Regional Park District materials describe the fair as a fundraiser for the museum, which specializes in California narrow-gauge rail history. The Saturday, May 23 opening date has also been listed on Fremont Patch’s community calendar. ### What is scheduled at Ardenwood over Memorial Day weekend? Rail Fair 2026 is billed by SPCRR as an annual “train extravaganza” that turns the Ardenwood site into a larger railroad showcase for one weekend. The group says visitors can expect displays of historic railroad equipment, model trains, other transit exhibits, live bluegrass music and train rides. (spcrr.org) May 23 through May 25 are the dates listed across the railroad museum’s website, East Bay parks materials and family-event listings. Those listings also say the farmyard will include model trains of different sizes, displays by Northern California railroad museums, and access to the historic Patterson House for tours. ### Which trains and exhibits are expected to draw attention? (spcrr.org) The Railroad Museum at Ardenwood says one of the main attractions is a display of historic railroad cars from its collection. SPCRR says those cars include rare equipment built in the Bay Area, shown during the weekend as part of the museum’s broader presentation of regional rail history. A century-old railroad car restoration is also expected to be visible during the event. (spcrr.org) Event listings say museum volunteers will be working on that car during the fair and that it is intended to join the museum’s passenger train when the restoration is complete. ### What can families do besides look at displays? East Bay Regional Park District says the fair includes train rides, live music and activities aimed at children. Family-event listings add toddler activities and operating model-train setups to the schedule, alongside the full-size narrow-gauge train ride. (upcomingevents.com) The Ardenwood site is already used for seasonal train operations, but SPCRR says schedules can vary for special events and holidays. Its May calendar marks Rail Fair on May 23, 24 and 25 rather than the regular train-ride schedule shown on surrounding dates. ### How much does it cost to go? East Bay Regional Park District’s May 2026 program flyer lists Rail Fair ticket prices at $16 for adults, $14 for seniors and $13 for children ages 4 to 17. (ebparks.org) Children 3 and under are listed as free. Advance online tickets are available, according to the same parks flyer and the SPCRR event page. (spcrr.org) A family-events listing says admission includes train activities and parking, though visitors are directed to official ticketing pages for purchase. ### Where should visitors look for updates before going? (ebparks.org) SPCRR says the most current information is posted through its website calendar and event pages. The group’s schedule page lists Ardenwood Historic Farm at 34600 Ardenwood Blvd. in Fremont and notes that special events can change normal operating schedules. For May 23, the next concrete step is advance ticketing and day-of attendance at the Fremont site from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (ebparks.org) East Bay Regional Park District’s flyer lists the park information line at 510-544-2797, while SPCRR directs visitors to its website and social channels for Rail Fair updates before the Memorial Day weekend opening. (spcrr.org)