Train Festival 2025 @ LAUS: What To Know
Steam locomotives, model trains, and a fun train-focused event for all!

After a one-year hiatus during 2024, Union Station Train Festival is once again returning to Los Angeles. Metro will be hosting an exciting event for all railfans in L.A., in partnership with Amtrak and Metrolink.
Metro has announced the dates for the event as Saturday, September 20th and Sunday, September 21st from 10:00am to 6:00pm. Tickets are free, and the event is open to all ages. According to Metro, there will be ‘a dynamic lineup of railroad equipment tours and displays, model train exhibits, interactive information booths, live entertainment, giveaways, family-friendly activities and much more – all in celebration of Los Angeles’ vibrant rail history and its evolving role in the city’s future.’

A variety of different attractions
Metro has released a list of the different attractions that will be scattered around Union Station on their unionstationla.com website. There’ll be historic locomotives, including the arguable main attraction Santa Fe 3751. Of course, there will also be the standard locomotives and consists from Metrolink and Amtrak, continuing serving the station as normal.
Tracks 13, 14, and 15: Tour and view displays of railroad equipment such as the steam locomotive, Santa Fe 3751 of the San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society (SBRHS) and additional train equipment displays from Amtrak, Metrolink, LARail.com and the Pacific Railroad Society.
Ticket Concourse: Immerse in four masterfully constructed model train displays created by model train partners include Southern California Z Scale Model Railroading Group, Group 160 NTRAK Club, Southern California S Gaugers Club, Southern California Traction Club.
South Patio: Interact with information booths and speak with industry experts from Metrolink, Amtrak, and California High-Speed Rail Authority, who will debut an exciting virtual reality experience.
Throughout the Station: Learn about the fascinating architecture, art and history at docent stands from Metro Art and Los Angeles Conservancy. For a unique guided experience, join California Preservation Foundation for one of four Hidden Gems tours through Doors Open California.
Fred Harvey: Experience the kid’s zone where junior conductors will receive conductor hats and enjoy photo opportunities posing with Travel Town Museum’s restored Railway Express Agency delivery truck.
Free commemorative poster, merchandise and a pin!
If you know me, you know I love to collect free stuff, and I sure do enjoy a free commemorative pin. In fact, I still have my Train Festival 2023 pin, and I’ll leave a picture below for you guys. This year’s pin will probably be a new take while keeping the similar style of showcasing Union Station’s architecture in a new artstyle.

In addition to the commemorative pin, Metro has also stated that there will be a free commemorative poster, as well as paid merch. Although this has not been disclosed, there will probably be standard Merch Motel Union Station merch, as well as more specific Train Festival-branded items.
Getting to Union Station.
If you’re a transit pro, you already know what lines will be serving Union Station. You can take the Metro A, B or D lines, which serve the station directly. Bus lines such as the Metro J line, Foothill Transit Silver Streak, or other municipal and local bus lines also serve the station or areas close to the station. You can also ride any Metrolink line (excluding Inland Empire-Orange County, and Arrow). Union Station is also accessible by any Pacific Surfliner train, or several Amtrak long-distance lines, such as the Coast Starlight. Standard parking, bike parking and Metro Bike Share are also easy and convenient ways to access the station.
I hope to see you all at Train Festival 2025! Don’t forget, the dates are September 20th and 21st, from 10:00am to 6:00pm.
All information available at https://www.unionstationla.com/happenings/train-festival-2025/.
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