Haunted Train 2019

Climb aboard our historic narrow gauge train for a fun, spooky (not scary) ride through the dark forest at Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont. Your family will enjoy the fun, roundtrip ride on the HAUNTED RAILROAD!

The ride is designed especially for families with children under 12. You will see volunteers playing the part of silly cowboys, scalliwag pirates, the famous witch, and others. There are colorful Halloween inflatables and giant pumpkins in between scenes (nothing will jump out or frighten young children).

Trains operate every 30 minutes between 7:00 pm and 9:30 pm on Friday and Saturday nights, and between 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm on Sunday nights, on the two weekends before Halloween:  October 18, 19, 20; and October 25, 26, 27.

All children must be with an adult. Because the ride is at night, for safety reasons each child age 3 and under must be accompanied by a separate adult.

We recommend that you arrive at least 40 minutes before your train departure time. Make sure you allow plenty of time for the Bay Area traffic! We begin boarding 10 minutes before the time on your ticket. Trains will depart on time, and we cannot wait for people who arrive late. No refunds for late arrivals. No exceptions.

There will be “Ghost Chasers” for sale at the train station (cash only). 

NOTE: This event is very popular. Last year we sold out before the end of September so we recommend you purchase tickets ASAP.

Please read all of the FAQs. There are specific arrival times for this ride.

FAQs

IMPORTANT NOTICE – You must bring your PRINTED "Order Summary" (or use the Eventbrite SMART PHONE APP to show proof of purchase) at the ticket window to get your actual tickets before you board the train. The Order Summary is a part of the confirmation email sent to you by Eventbrite. If you scroll down the email, you will find the Order Summary after the FAQs. The Order Summary shows the number of tickets, name, date, confirmation number, and amount paid. 

• LOCATION OF TICKET WINDOW - The ticket window is located at the Ardenwood train station at the parking lot entrance to Ardenwood Historic Farm, 34600 Ardenwood Blvd, Fremont, CA (directly across the parking lot from the Pumpkin Patch). The Haunted Railroad ticket window opens at 6:00 pm on operating nights. Be sure to arrive at least 40 minutes before your scheduled train departure time. That will give you enough time to exchange your voucher for tickets, and get in line for the train
• Please drive SLOW in the parking lot since it is dark and there are small children going to and from the Pumpkin Patch and the Haunted Railroad.  
• REFUND POLICY - You can request a refund on Eventbrite up to 24 hours in advance. There will be no refunds less than 24 hours in advance. Eventbrite has changed their policy, and they will no longer refund Eventbrite fees. Any requested refunds now include just the ticket price, not the Eventbrite fees (see Eventbrite's website for more information).  The ONLY exception is if the trains do not operate due to heavy rain. See the section below titled “What if it’s raining?” for more details.
• Can I exchange tickets? Eventbrite does not have a way to exchange tickets. You can purchase new tickets and receive a refund for your old tickets (excluding Eventbrite fees) up to 24 hours in advance.
  

• How early should we arrive? Arrive at least 40 minutes before your train departure time. Make sure you allow plenty of time for the Bay Area traffic. You will need to exchange your PRINTED Order Summary (from the Eventbrite confirmation email) for your actual train tickets at the ticket window. This line usually takes 10-15 minutes. All seats on any train are first-come, first-seated. We suggest you get in line 30 minutes before your train departure time. We will start boarding the train 10 minutes prior to departure time.
• What happens if I'm late for my train? You must be in line to board the train at least 10 minutes prior to departure time. We do not issue refunds for late arrivals. All of our trains sell out, so it is unlikely that you can get on a later train.
• How many tickets can I buy? You can buy up to 90 tickets.
• I have a large group, can we reserve our own car? You can reserve a private car, but you must purchase 30 seats (you can bring fewer people, but you still must buy 30 tickets). Contact us at the email below after you purchase your group’s tickets (one person must purchase ALL tickets for the group). We will email you instructions on where to meet so we can board your group first. If you have more than 30 people in your group, you can purchase 2 cars (60 seats); or purchase the whole train (90 tickets).
• DO NOT try to get your tickets from Ardenwood Park staff during the day. The Haunted Railroad is a fundraiser for our nonprofit railroad museum. The regular Park staff does not have access to Haunted Railroad tickets.
• How "Scary" is it? The ride is "spooky, not scary.” We developed this event 24 years ago to provide a fun Halloween experience suitable for families with children under 12. The train passes through a dark forest with illuminated character scenes that are separated by Halloween inflatables. The conductor provides a tongue-in-cheek narration linking the trip with historical events. There is no gore or violence. You can get an idea by looking at our Haunted Railroad images at the 0000FF;">SPCRR Halloween Trains photo gallery. 
• GHOST PROTECTORS FOR SALE. We will have 'ghost protectors' (colored glowsticks) for sale each night. Cash only.
• No food or drinks allowed. The train is made up of historic railroad cars built over 100 years ago.
• What type of clothing should we wear? The train operates outdoors in open railroad cars. Wear suitable clothing for the weather—it can be cold and windy at night and occasionally we have rain. If rain is predicted, be sure to bring a raincoat or poncho since the cars have open sides. Children can wear costumes as long as they are no wider than the child’s body. Anything that protrudes, such as fairy wings or super hero wings, is not allowed. Costumes must not interfere with the person seated next to the child. Costumes that might frighten small children are not permitted (for example no ghoul masks, no scary monsters). For safety we do not allow masks on adults. NO costumes allowed if they have RED LIGHTS because they will interfere with safe train operations. 
• What if it is raining? The trains will run as long as it is safe to operate. Typically weather is dry and cool. Refunds will be given only if the trains do not operate due to heavy rain. If there is heavy rain before trains start operating, and the weather service predicts the rain will continue that evening, we will send out an email notice to Eventbrite ticket holders on that date notifying them of the train cancellation and we will refund your tickets and associated fees. That has only happened a few times since we began this event 24 years ago.
• Can I take pictures or video while on the ride? Yes with some restrictions. Video and photography are allowed before, during, and after the ride as long as it does not interfere with the safety of the train, bother other passengers, or affect the ambiance of the ride. No flash photography. Please turn off your flash on your phones and cameras because it detracts from the experience. When the train returns to the station, some of the characters may show up to pose for photographs, and you can use your flash at that time, not before. SAFETY NOTICE: Flash photography of the operating crew (engineer, brakeman, and conductor) is not allowed. The flash ruins their night vision, which they need for safe train operation. 
  Commercial photography and videography inside East Bay Regional Parks requires a permit from EBRPD. Please contact East Bay Regional Park District for more information.
• You guys sound like a fun group. How can I get involved?  We ARE a fun group. If you would like to become a volunteer, email 0000ff;">info@spcrr.org. We are always looking for volunteers to be actors on the Haunted Railroad as well as people to help us put together and decorate the sets before the event; take-down the sets each night; sell glow sticks; and take tickets. We are also looking for part-time employees interested in working on the train (Thurs, Fri, & Sun from April to November). If you would like to join as a member and receive our newsletter ($20 per year) go to our website 0000ff;">www.spcrr.org--click on "SPCRR" and "Become a Member." 
• How do I contact you? Email questions to  0000ff;">info@spcrr.org. NOTE: We cannot answer email questions on event days because we are busy getting the Haunted Railroad ready. Email all questions at least 24 hours in advance of your train date. For general questions, you can call Ardenwood Historic Farm at 510-544-2797.
  
• Save your used tickets--we are a nonprofit 501(c)(3) museum and your tickets are tax deductible. Thank you for supporting our railroad museum!