Steamy Affair

Written by Bakersfield Magazine

We could wax poetically on the history and romance of trains for days and days, but we’d much prefer to spend those days actually riding the rails; you know, experiencing the majestic feeling that comes from traveling across the land by way of a steam-powered locomotive.

Sure, there are a few railways that still offer getaway options in these parts, but there is one company that offers such a wide variety of train rides that it’s booking tickets faster than you can say Casey Jones: Fillmore & Western Railway Company.

And, good news, Fillmore & Western, located in historic downtown Fillmore, California in the heart of the Heritage Valley, is just a short, two-hour drive away.

It might seem counterintuitive to drive a couple of hours just to take a train ride, but the sights and sounds offered by the farmlands of this rich, rural valley will leave no doubt in your mind that this relaxing weekend getaway was worth the drive.

Those looking to ride the rails with Fillmore & Western are first greeted by Fillmore’s 1920s-era business district as they turn off of rural Highway 126. And, as mentioned above, the pristine century-old citrus and avocado orchards are main attractions along the route of train rides.

But it is, perhaps, the cars themselves that steal the spotlight. The passenger coach cars and dining cars are from the 1930s and ‘40s and offer a true step back in time for all those who venture on board. And the locomotives that power the train are all gently restored, pre-1950 engines.

Another feather in the cap of Fillmore & Western is that it recently acquired a new steam engine—one that runs on recycled vegetable oil. It’s the only eco-friendly engine of its kind west of the Grand Canyon.

However, it is the company’s reputation as the “Home of the Movie Trains” that has garnered it so much attention.

Having provided locomotives and cars for over 400 feature films, television productions, commercials, and still shoots (including major studio movies such as Water for Elephants, Inception, and Fast & Furious 5 in just the past two years), the nickname seems well-earned. Especially when one considers the origins of this company’s foray into Hollywood.

“Short Line Enterprises was founded in 1967,” Fillmore & Western’s website (fwry.com) boasts. “The company bought, sold, and traded locomotives, passenger cars, and freight cars, mostly of 19th century origin. The majority of the equipment was acquired from the property departments of three major movie studios: MGM, Paramount, and 20th Century Fox.

This activity...focused the company on its long-term path of providing movie trains for the film industry.”

Later, “Short Line moved its movie operations to the Newhall Ranch, placing it within the Hollywood production zone. Between 1985 and 1990, Short Line was used in over seventy feature films, television series, and commercials. No Hollywood railroad location had ever amassed that number of credits in such a brief period of time.” But the track lease was up in 1990 and a search began for a new home for Hollywood’s movie trains.

“The only line that met the specific needs of the film industry was Southern Pacific’s Santa Paula Branch in rural Ventura County. The pastoral surroundings of the area also bode suitable for development of a passenger excursion business.” So the City of Fillmore was selected.

In 1996, Short Line Enterprises became the film division of the Fillmore & Western Railway Company. Operations expanded from movie work and limited passenger trips to regularly scheduled daytime passenger excursions and Saturday Night Dinner Trains.

And the expansion didn’t stop there. Passengers wanting to hop on board can select from a number of wonderful events. On select Saturday nights, year round, Fillmore & Western hosts a truly wonderful murder mystery event with a different theme each time.

Guests will embark on an evening train ride, lasting roughly two hours, with an excellent dinner, hearty laughs, and some less-than-serious sleuthing. Everyone will enjoy a first-class, three-course dinner, served while actors commit mirth and murder. Jump right in and help solve the murder, or simply sit back, be waited on, and entertained on board the only Murder Mystery Dinner Train in Southern California. Reservations are required and there is full bar service while on board. Check the website for dates.

For a relaxing, out-of-the-ordinary Saturday or Sunday, try the Scenic Weekend Excursion. While you enjoy your time in a 1930s vintage passenger car, the train winds around a historic and calming agricultural setting.

The first stop of the day will be at Loose Caboose Garden Center and Gift Emporium where you will find garden art; fountains; koi ponds and supplies; local honey and produce; and a wide variety of one-of-a-kind gift items, year-round Christmas decorations, and plants.

The second stop of the day is in downtown Santa Paula, where passengers can visit the historic Southern Pacific Depot, the St. Francis Dam Memorial sculpture, the Santa Paula Art Museum, the California Oil Museum, the Ventura County Agriculture Museum, or take a self-guided walking tour of world-class murals. All these historic sites are within walking distance of the train depot.

No matter when you step aboard, Fillmore & Western offers a good time. This is especially apparent during holidays. The company hosts a Father’s Day train ride. Dad and the entire family can enjoy this outing. In addition to the vintage train ride through the Heritage Valley, riders will feast on an impressive country-cooked BBQ lunch and celebrate the “king of the family.”

And on Independence Day, the company really outdoes itself. After a BBQ dinner and train ride through the valley, guests will be able to enjoy a wonderful display of fireworks that will be put on by the City of Fillmore. You might wonder how you’ll be able to see the fireworks while inside the train. Well, the Fillmore & Western’s open-air flat car allows riders the opportunity to peer up into the night sky. The same car is available for dancing during special events, like Margarita Madness, this year happening on July 16, August 13, and September 17. Passengers who hop on board for this event are in for a treat. As the train travels through Heritage Valley, guests are sipping on delectable flavored margaritas and dining on enchiladas, beef tamales, rice, beans, and chips and salsa. After dinner, everyone dances to live music in the open air dance car.

So it would seem, thanks to Fillmore & Western’s one-of-a-kind packages, that trains are no longer just icons of industry; they are no longer relics of bygone eras. They can be enjoyed today. Heck, you can even get married on one!

It’s certainly true that “history, nature, and a small town atmosphere have all been nurtured and preserved in the valley for passengers who truly want to step back in time” by way of a Fillmore & Western train ride. It’s about time you stepped aboard, too. Visit fwry.com or call (805) 524-2546 for more information.

Article appeared in our 28-2 Issue - June 2011