RVing to the Orange Empire Railway Museum in Perris, CA
If you’re searching for a unique Southern California attraction packed with history, hands-on exhibits, and vintage locomotives, the Orange Empire Railway Museum in Perris, California deserves a spot on your travel list. Known today as the Southern California Railway Museum, this expansive railway museum is one of the largest collections of historic trains and streetcars in the western United States.
Whether you're planning a weekend road trip, traveling in your RV, or looking for a family-friendly educational experience, the Orange Empire Railway Museum delivers an unforgettable journey through America’s railroading past.
History of the Orange Empire Railway Museum
Founded in 1956 by railway preservation enthusiasts, the museum began with a simple mission: preserve Southern California’s rich rail transportation history. Over the decades, it has grown into a 100-acre living history museum filled with restored locomotives, passenger cars, freight equipment, and electric railway vehicles.
In 2019, the organization officially rebranded as the Southern California Railway Museum, but many visitors still refer to it by its original and beloved name — the Orange Empire Railway Museum.
Today, the museum continues to restore, preserve, and operate historic rail equipment, keeping the golden age of rail travel alive for future generations.
What to See at the Orange Empire Railway Museum
🚂 Massive Collection of Historic Trains
The museum features more than 200 pieces of railway equipment, including:
Steam locomotives
Diesel-electric engines
Vintage passenger coaches
Freight cars
Electric streetcars and interurban rail cars
Railfans will appreciate the variety of equipment representing different eras of American railroading, especially equipment tied to Southern California’s rail development.
🚋 Ride a Vintage Train or Trolley
One of the biggest highlights is the opportunity to ride the trains. On select weekends and special events, visitors can hop aboard:
Historic diesel-powered trains
Restored electric streetcars
Seasonal themed rides (including holiday trains)
The experience is especially fun for kids and offers fantastic photo opportunities for content creators and bloggers.
🏛️ Indoor Exhibits and Railway Artifacts
Beyond the outdoor rail yard, the museum includes indoor galleries featuring:
Railroad memorabilia
Historic railway signals
Model train displays
Vintage photographs
Railway uniforms and tools
It’s an educational deep dive into how railroads shaped California’s growth and connected communities across the West.
Why Visit the Orange Empire Railway Museum?
Perfect for Families
Kids love climbing aboard railcars and seeing massive locomotives up close. The museum combines history with interactive experiences, making it more engaging than a typical indoor museum.
Ideal RV Day Trip Stop
Located in Perris, California, the museum is an easy drive from Los Angeles, San Diego, Palm Springs, and other Southern California destinations. Its wide-open layout and parking access make it convenient for RV travelers exploring the region. This used to be a Harvest Hosts location years ago when we shot our video but, apparently, no longer is. That’s unfortunate because we really enjoyed our stay there.
Great for Photography
From polished brass fixtures to weathered freight cars, the museum offers endless vintage backdrops for photography enthusiasts.
Final Thoughts
The Orange Empire Railway Museum is more than just a train yard — it’s a living tribute to the locomotives, conductors, and engineers who helped build California. Whether you're a dedicated railfan, a history lover, or simply looking for a unique Southern California attraction, this railway museum offers a nostalgic and educational experience worth the trip.
If you're planning your next road trip stop in Southern California, don’t miss the chance to step aboard history at the Orange Empire Railway Museum. 🚂
