This year, we will only have one train each night, departing from each station.

• The trains departing from Niles will leave at 4:30 PM.
  Riders can see the canyon on the first leg of the trip, and the lights on the second leg.
     (We will NOT let passengers off in Sunol.)
• The trains departing from Sunol will leave at 7:30 PM.
  This train runs in the dark, and the trip is all about the lights.
     (We will NOT let passengers off in Niles.)

1. How do I buy tickets? Train of Lights tickets will go on sale on our Web Site on Monday, August 13 at 10 a.m., and you can use a credit card to order your tickets.
   
   There will be one page for the Niles trains, and another separate page for the Sunol trains. Please make sure that you know which station you wish to depart from, before you buy your tickets.
   
   You can also "like" the train on Facebook, or Tweet about it, so that your friends can make sure they depart from the same station.
   Even if the trains sell out, there are often some small number of tickets which become available a day or two before the train. We will use Facebook and Twitter to let our friends and followers know if "day of train" tickets are available. Friend us on Facebook, or follow us on twitter to get more information and alerts.
   
   Our trains will run every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, between Friday November 23, through Sunday, December 30.
• Niles trains will depart at 4:30 PM.
• Sunol trains will depart at 7:30 PM.
Tickets for all seats are $25 for all children, ages 3 to 113.
(Children age 2 and younger ride free, if they will be sitting on a parents lap.)
We will be running trains from both Niles and from Sunol.

We will have Bargain Trains, all seats $17, on three Wednesdays; November 28, December 5 and December 12.

There will be one Caboose on each train, which can be reserved for private parties. (More info in answer #9.)

There will be two cars with Reserved Seating. These tickets will be $40 per seat..
• One car is the Golden Gate Railroad Museum SP 2979 Lounge Car. This will be a First Class experience, on this beautifully restored and appointed vintage Parlour Car with car attendants. (NOTE: All riders in the Lounge Car need a ticket, including infants. Please see their FAQ.) (Holiday Lounge Car info - Holiday Club Lounge FAQ)
• The other car is the Pacific Locomotive Association SF 505 Dome Car, with swivel seats in the upper level dome for an unparalleled view, and a cozy lounge below, with car attendants. (More Dome Car info)


• How long is the trip? The round trip from Sunol to Niles, and from Niles to Sunol, takes a little over an hour (not counting boarding and exiting time). There are Porta-Potties at each station. Note that there are only a few restrooms on board the train for emergency use, so please prepare accordingly.



• Where do I board the train? For a map and directions to the Sunol Depot and the Niles Station, Click Here
  • Sunol: It is easy to get lost on the dark country roads around Sunol if you are not familiar with the area. Please check the route ahead of time using your favorite maps or map website. We will have signs in Sunol, and there will be some parking attendants directing cars into our parking areas.
  • Niles: We will have parking near our train platform in Niles this year! Please check your route ahead of time, and watch for new signs and traffic guides. There will NOT be buses this year from Main Street to the trains. You will NOT be allowed to walk across the tracks from Main Street to our platform! (The tracks in the middle are active Union Pacific tracks, and the Amtrak trains through Niles pass there at 40 MPH. Please, think about safety, and don't cross the tracks!)


• What about wheelchair access? The only ADA accommodations are on designated cars. Wheelchairs may not move about the train due to the narrow aisles of the antique equipment.
  
  If you will have a wheelchair in your group, or someone in need of special assistance, please mention this in the comments section when you purchase your tickets. You can check with the Station Agent in advance by calling (510) 996-8420. Please call with your special needs as we do not view the Comments portion of the ticketing site until our manifests are printed.



• Do children need a ticket? Everyone age three or older needs a ticket. However, infants and children under age three do not need a ticket if they are sitting on your lap. If your infant will take up a seat, then your infant will need a ticket.



• Can I bring a stroller? Strollers are discouraged, for a number of reasons. The aisles of the vintage cars are narrow, there is limited space in the vestibules of the coaches, and the train will be crowded. Please plan to leave your strollers in your car.



• Will our large group be able to sit together? All tickets are $25 for General Seating. There are no other Saved Seats (except for the handicap-accessible seats). There are no guarantees that a group will be able to sit together.
  
  You can increase your chances of sitting together if you arrive early, and board as a group. If you arrive together and form up as a group before boarding, the Car Host (when available) will attempt to seat you together as much as possible.
  Saving seats for passengers who are not present is not permitted. Each passenger needs their own ticket.
  



• Can I save seats if someone in our group is running late? No. Seats can not be saved for late arrivals. If a group wants to sit together they should all arrive early, and when everyone has arrived, board the train together.
  • Our trains depart on time.
  • Everyone is strongly encouraged to arrive early.



• How can our group ride in the caboose? In 2012, we will have one caboose on each train available for private parties. The cost is $600, and can accomodate up to 24 adults. There are 2 small tables on board for your food and beverages. There is no access to the regular train during the ride, and there is no restroom on the caboose. (Please visit our porta-potties in the parking lot before boarding.)
  
  Follow these links to reserve a caboose; departing either at 4:30 from the Niles Station, or at 7:30 from the Sunol Depot.
  
  You will have a docent from the railroad riding in the caboose with you, to answer your questions about the train and the railroad, and to help everyone have a safe ride.
  
  We ask that an adult be stationed by the ladders going up to the cupolla, while children are climbing up and down.
  
  There is open grating outside the doors of the caboose. High-heeled shoes are not advised.



• Are tickets refundable? This is a fundraiser. The tickets are not refundable. However, you may be able to exchange your tickets for another train (based on limited availability). Our holiday trains are often sold out months in advance, so there may not be a sufficient number of tickets on another train available for an exchange. To inquire about an exchange, contact the Station Agent at (510) 996-8420.

An exchange fee of $10.00, per order, will be charged to change tickets orders.

If the day that you want is sold out,you may check in with the station agent on the day of the train you prefer and get on the waiting list for that train.



• When should I arrive? Arrive early, because OUR TRAINS LEAVE ON TIME. Boarding begins about 45 minutes before the scheduled departure time. Please be at the depot no less than 30 minutes before departure. If you need assistance in boarding, you should plan to arrive earlier, and mention your need to the train crew or depot/station agents when you arrive.
  
  When you arrive at the station, you will need to exchange your ticketing voucher for the souvenir tickets, prior to boarding the train.



• Where do I park?
  
  • Niles - The parking situation is changing this summer. We will send an email to the person who bought the tickets, in the Fall, with parking information, after the plans have been finalized. We apologize for not having that information available for posting during the summer.
  • DO NOT BLOCK residence or business driveways. Your vehicle may be towed, at your expense, if you block a driveway.
  • Sunol - Parking at the depot in Sunol is limited, so please carpool as much as possible.
  • Parking in the lighted lot at the Sunol Depot is for compact and regular sized cars.
  • Five ADA parking spaces are located in the middle of the main lot near the boarding area.
  • Full-sized pickup trucks, six-packs, dual rear wheel trucks, campers, small motorhomes and buses may park at the Sunol Glen school one block east of the depot. Please DO NOT drive these large vehicles into the main parking lot unless you have made prior arrangements with the station agent.
  • Note: All parking is close to residences. Please be considerate of our neighbors' peace and quiet when you come to visit us.
  • DO NOT BLOCK residence or business driveways. Your vehicle may be towed, at your expense, if you block a driveway.
  
  
  
• Where do I get my tickets? All Train of Lights 2012 tickets will be available for Will Call at the ticket counter at the station from which your train will depart.
• Pick up your tickets on the day of your train. The Will Call window opens at each station one hour and 15 minutes before your train will depart.
• When you purchase tickets on-line, you will be given a confirmation page. Print that voucher page, and bring it with you on the day of your train.
• Will-Call ticket holders should allow 45 minutes to park, exchange your voucher for your tickets, and to distribute them to others in your party prior to boarding.
• Group leaders should make copies of the map and directions, and distribute them to each of the drivers in your group.
• Be sure to check your departure station before leaving home, so you will go to the correct location. We may not be able to accommodate people who have tickets for trains departing from the wrong station. Wrong depot departures may be standing room only if we can accommodate you and there will be a $10.00 exchange fee. We can not determine if wrong station departures can be accommodated until all ticketed passengers have boarded.



• What if it rains? Trains run in any weather. There are NO refunds if it rains. There is no guarantee of an inside seat, so please be prepared for inclement weather and dress appropriately. Everyone should allow more time to get to the depot and park during bad weather.



• Are there refreshments on-board? Yes. Hot drinks, juice, and other snacks are available for purchase on board the train. Please discard any trash in the provided containers on the train, or on the platform. You may also bring your own snacks, if you wish. (Note: If you are reserving a caboose, you will not be able to get to the commissary counter on the main train. You are welcome to bring your own refreshments with you.)



• What should I bring? Bring large doses of good cheer and any protective clothing you may need against the weather. While we don't often have rain, it is frequently cold. A small flashlight may be useful to help you move safely between your vehicle and the train.



• Can I charter an entire Train of Lights train? Yes. Contact the Ticket Agent at 510-996-8420 for rates and availability.



• Have more questions? For more information, contact our Station Agent by email at TOLtickets@ncry.org, by telephone at 510-996-8420, or at the Sunol Depot during our regular Sunday train operations.