Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum

The Nevada County Narrow-Gauge Railroad Museum offers a rare glimpse into specialized transit through its popular Railbus excursions, which transport passengers along a scenic stretch of the historic Northern Queen line in Nevada City. Unlike traditional heavy steam trains, these excursions utilize a charming, custom-built “bus on rails”—a vintage vehicle body mounted onto a railroad chassis—designed to navigate the tight curves and steep grades of the Sierra Foothills. Operating primarily on Saturdays from April through October, the railbus winds through lush forest landscapes and past historic mining sites, including a notable switchback near the Northern Queen Inn. Because these open-air trips are a highlight for visitors and have limited seating, the museum strongly recommends making reservations in advance to secure a spot on this nostalgic, 30-minute journey back to the golden age of narrow-gauge rail.