Orland, Newville and Pacific Railroad facts for kids
The Orland, Newville and Pacific Railroad is a super cool miniature train ride! It's like a tiny version of a real train, built to a scale of 5 inches for every foot of a full-sized train. This means it's much smaller, but still big enough for people to ride on.
This special railway is located in Orland, California. You can find it at the Glenn County Fairgrounds on East Yolo Street. It has been giving rides and delighting visitors at this very spot since 1993.
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Discovering the Orland Miniature Railway
Have you ever wondered what it's like to ride a train that's just your size? The Orland, Newville and Pacific Railroad offers just that! It's a fantastic place for families and train fans to experience the magic of railways in a unique way.
What is a Miniature Railway?
A miniature railway is a smaller version of a full-sized train system. These trains are often built for fun and entertainment, allowing people to ride on them. They are usually found in parks, fairgrounds, or special railway centers. The Orland, Newville and Pacific Railroad is a great example of this, offering a fun and memorable experience.
Understanding Train Gauge
The Orland, Newville and Pacific Railroad uses a special measurement called a "15-inch gauge." This term, track gauge, refers to the distance between the two rails of a railway track. For most big trains, this distance is much wider, like 4 feet 8.5 inches. But for miniature railways, the gauge is much smaller. A 15-inch gauge means the tracks are only 15 inches apart, making the trains that run on them quite small, but still perfectly designed for passengers.
The Scale of the Trains
The trains at the Orland, Newville and Pacific Railroad are built to a "5 inches to the foot" scale. Imagine a real train that is 12 feet long. A miniature version of that train, built to this scale, would be 5 feet long (because 5 inches for every foot of the real train means 5 inches x 12 feet = 60 inches, which is 5 feet). This scale makes the trains look incredibly realistic, just like a shrunken version of a full-sized locomotive and cars.
Where to Find This Fun Railway
You can find the Orland, Newville and Pacific Railroad right in Orland, California. It's located on the Glenn County Fairgrounds, which is a well-known spot in the area. The address is on East Yolo Street, making it easy to find for anyone wanting to visit. Fairgrounds are often places where communities gather for events, and having a miniature railway there adds to the fun and excitement!
A Look Back: When It Started
This charming miniature railway has been operating for many years. It first opened its tracks and started giving rides in 1993. That means it has been a part of the Orland community for over three decades, bringing joy to generations of kids and adults alike. It's a true local treasure!
