Fall is coming to the tracks in El Dorado County, and local families will have another opportunity to combine pumpkins, history and a train ride when the El Dorado Western Railroad<\/strong> hosts its second annual Pumpkin Patch Train in October.<\/p>\n The special excursion is scheduled for Oct. 3, 10 and 17, 2026<\/strong>, departing from the El Dorado Depot at 4650 Oriental Street<\/strong> in the town of El Dorado.<\/p>\n The railroad’s event listing describes the experience simply: climb aboard a full-size excursion train, ride through the foothills and stop near Missouri Flat Road to choose a pumpkin before boarding the train for the return trip to El Dorado.<\/p>\n Unlike a conventional drive-to-the-pumpkin-patch outing, the El Dorado event makes the journey part of the attraction.<\/p>\n Passengers will ride in an open-air excursion car along the historic Southern Pacific Placerville Branch rail line<\/strong>. The round trip is expected to take approximately 50 to 60 minutes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n At the turnaround point, passengers will leave the train and select their pumpkins. Pumpkins are available for an additional $6 each<\/strong> and can be purchased during checkout.<\/p>\n After the pumpkin stop, riders return to the train and head back toward the El Dorado Depot.<\/p>\n The railroad’s event organizers emphasize that seating is limited, making advance reservations advisable. A limited number of walk-on tickets also will be available from the station agent.<\/p>\n Trains are scheduled to leave the El Dorado Depot at:<\/p>\n Tickets go on sale at 9:30 a.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n Admission is $12 for adults and children age 9 and older<\/strong>, while children ages 4-8 are $3. Children 3 and younger ride free. Online purchases are subject to an additional processing fee.<\/p>\n The railroad advises riders to call (530) 663-3581<\/strong> with questions or to confirm departure times. The telephone is monitored only on scheduled train-ride days from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.<\/p>\n Riders 17 and younger must be accompanied by a responsible adult, and animals are not permitted aboard the train.<\/p>\n The event also provides a glimpse into El Dorado County’s railroad history.<\/p>\n The El Dorado Depot is part of the county’s Historical Railroad Park<\/strong>, located along approximately 2.2 miles of the El Dorado Trail in the town of El Dorado. The county identifies the site as the location of El Dorado Station and says the El Dorado Western Railroad Foundation operates an excursion railroad program there.<\/p>\nA pumpkin patch reached by rail<\/h3>\n
Three departure times<\/h3>\n
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More than a pumpkin ride<\/h3>\n