Tickets

All visitors who aren’t members must buy a general admission ticket.

Hours
9am-7pm daily


Enchanted Railroad

Say hello to our electric train

Woo, woo – our Enchanted Railroad has a new train! After many years and generations, we have upgraded to an electric train.

Inspired by the “Little Giant”

Our current electric train is modeled after a 450hp, 50-ton locomotive. Affectionately nicknamed the “Little Giant,” the train that inspired our 3-3/4-scale version retired from the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1960.

High-tech electric

The new train is electrically powered and uses a sophisticated electronics system that automatically adjusts power to maintain its speed on hills.

Train info that’s good to know

When does the train run?

The train is open daily from 9:30am–4pm

You’ll need a ticket

Tickets are $5 each and may be purchased at the Visitor Center on the day of your ride.

Have a train voucher? You can proceed directly to the train any time it’s running, and we’ll collect your voucher there.

How tall do you have to be to ride?

Riders on the Enchanted Railroad must be at least 30 inches tall and able to sit on their own

Where does the train go?

The electric train runs the same route as our previous train, along the section of the gardens near The Promenade, on a track that is about ¼ of a mile long

How long is the train ride?

The train ride duration is approximately six minutes

How fast does the train travel?

Our model chugs along at about 4 mph

No train when it rains

The Enchanted Railroad doesn’t run in the rain – most people prefer the ride under clear skies

Did you know?

Every year 50,000 guests – young and old – ride the train. Train rides at Descanso began in the late 1980s when train enthusiast Lewis Soibelman began trucking over his 1/8th scale trains. The Enchanted Railroad became permanent in 1996.