March is full of rail events at Fillmore and Western Railway, only 19 short miles from interstate 5 in Santa Clarita. On March 2, “Night Train to Murder”, spoofing the 1920’s and 30’s is the Murder Express Lunch Train, departing at noon and returning at 4 p.m.
A delicious lunch and hilarious character driven play will entertain passengers while they travel in vintage dining cars through the pristine agricultural rich Heritage Valley communities of Fillmore and Santa Paula. On March 13, passengers will enjoy lunch during the leisurely one hour vintage train ride to downtown Santa Paula where docents will then guide them to three historic museums. After a stop at the Loose Caboose Garden Center and Gift Emporium, they will return to Fillmore at 3:30 p.m. Another Murder Express Lunch Train, “Viva Lost Vegas”, spoofing the 1960’s and including famous characters reminiscent of “The Rat Pack” is scheduled for Saturday, March 16 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
On Saturday and Sunday, March 23 and March 24 the Santa Clara River Valley Railroad Historical Society (SCRVRHS) will celebrate their 20th anniversary at “RailFest”, an annual event held in Fillmore’s downtown Central Park. Regional model railroad clubs display their train sets, the society provides their famous BBQ Tri-Tip Sandwiches, along with other food vendors. Antique farm equipment and other railroad memorabilia is on display and for sale in addition to arts and craft vendors. The Frontier Gunfighters set up their “western town” in the park, have shoot-outs and then rob the train as it departs town. Fillmore and Western has three, steam-powered, one hour train rides each day of the festival, with a diesel train taking a two hour train trip to Santa Paula and back. During the evening is the Family Murder Mystery at 6:30 p.m., our version of a Spaghetti Western, because the murder mystery theme is western and the meal is spaghetti and meatballs with all the trimmings. Also on tap is the Boxed BBQ Dinner Steam Train departing at 5:30 p.m., traveling to Piru and back. To top it all off, the last day of the month, March 31 is the Easter Bunny Express, featuring the Easter Bunny. He will be onboard entertaining families, posing for pictures while passengers feast on a scrumptious lunch.
For more information on any of the rail events and activities call Fillmore and Western Railway at 805-524-2546 or visit our website at www.fwry.com. All aboard for fun!