Orland-Newville Pacific Railroad runs Sunday

For a taste of old-fashioned railroad fun, visitors can take a ride on the Orland-Newville Pacific Railroad on Sunday at the Glenn County Fairgrounds.

Organizer Robin Petersen said the ride is a mile long and takes 10 minutes, "which is not bad for a dollar."

Proceeds from the rides help maintain the railroad which has run at the fairgrounds since the late 1990s, he said.

Tickets are $1 a person with children 2 and under riding free, Petersen said. The train can accommodate 40 to 45 people or more with child passengers in its five cars. It also has a caboose with a conductor and the engineer stays with the engine, he said.

About 10 volunteers work on the railway and train, he said, although not everyone shows up at the same time. Petersen is in his fourth year working with the railroad following his retirement from a Coast to Coast store he owned 20 years.

"It's a neat thing to do," he said. "It is fun to ride and fun to drive."

While not a train fanatic, Petersen said he enjoys the work but the group has some people "really into trains."

The train once operated with a steam engine, Petersen said, but now runs with a gas engine because steam engines are tricky to handle.

The afternoon rides continue through September, he said, and the train also runs during major functions at the fairgrounds like the Glenn County Fair. In addition, it will be going for Orland's Centennial celebration on Labor Day weekend on both Saturday and Sunday.

Train rides are available for parties and other events, too, Petersen said, and people can schedule them through him.

Contact Rick Longley at 934-6800 or rlongley@tcnpress.com

Know and Go

What: Orland-Newville Pacific Railroad rides
When: Sunday, Aug. 1 and Sept. 6, 1 to 5 p.m.
Where: Glenn County Fairgrounds, 221 East Yolo St., Orland
Details: 865-9790