Nevada County Railroad Museum reports record attendance, thanks to new rail bus

The Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum recorded record attendance in 2016. “Our visitor totals (7,788) were an increase of 2,269 from 2015 totals; rail bus operations were the major reason for the increase,” the Museum said in its newsletter. “The rail bus operations had a multiplier effect; more sales in the gift shop and higher donations.”

In July through December, the Museum attracted people from 289 California cities (outside of the local area), 34 other states and nineteen countries, including Australia, Austria, Brazil, China, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Spain, Switzerland and the UK.

 In May rail bus operations were initiated for the summer and fall seasons, as our magazine reported.  Passengers may board at either the NCNGRR Museum or the Northern Queen Inn in Nevada City. The 35-minute round-trip travels along Gold Run Creek past the Inn Town Campground and parallels a portion of the original route of the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad.

In order to prepare for the upcoming rail bus operating season, the Sara Kidder is being refurbished. Wood is being resurfaced, seats are being painted, and the rail bus will be repainted. 

—Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum