Long
Beach Railroad
Train Rides on El Dorado Express in El
Dorado Park
Long Beach--If you are looking for
something to do on a Saturday or Sunday
afternoon, Long Beach parks offer a world of
activities, which is one of the reasons they
were chosen as the best park system in the
nation. Take a 1.5 mile ride on a train that
pulls up to El Dorado Express Depot every 20
minutes or so. Highlights of the tour
include a ride through a tunnel filled with
holiday lights, a forest of stuffed animals,
and a Western town made of wooden displays.
Use your imagination to realize how a child
may envision this as a magical place. It is
geared for kids, but the ride is pleasant
for adults, as well.
The El Dorado Express is a refurbished
train built to run in a park in 1946.
Powered by a steam engine, this train and
cars sat in a dirt lot at Colton Piano for
over 20 years, till it received the loving
care and was refurbished by a father son
team.
Tony Ruvolo and his son Greg began
working on the train to bring back its
beauty and luster, starting in 1988. When
the task was completed, the installed the
train in a large public park located off the
605 Freeway in Long Beach. Train rides,
paddle boats on a small manmade lake, and
bounce house rentals and party packages are
all available in the park filled with lush
green lawns, shade trees, and lots of
parking.
Tickets are sold at the El Dorado Express
Depot for an amazing price of only a few
dollars, with the train running around 11
a.m. till about 3 p.m. or 4 p.m. on
weekends.
Other cities would drool over the
amenities, golf, archery and even a train
ride in the park that adults, families and
especially children can enjoy. El Dorado
Nature Center features a bridge passing over
a small, artificial island for turtles seen
basking in the sun. There's a building
filled with displays and many signs posted
to explain the trees, flora and fauna.
For a day to remember, the train ride is
just the beginning of an excellent
adventure!
El Dorado Park
7550 E. Spring St., Long Beach, CA
Tel: (562) 824-7725
caboosecorners.com
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