San Mateo Central Park Train Ride

During a great family picnic at San Mateo Central Park my kids spotted the train and couldn’t wait to ride. I have 2 young boys that are obsessed with Thomas the Train so the train track looked like an awesome opportunity. After the 1^st ride I finally noticed the posted sign that states 2 times around the track — so my bad for not noticing the posted sign. Although I do think that $ 1.50 for less than a minute (2times around the track) is a little steep. I guess I really wouldn’t mind the price for the short ride IF the conductor pretended that he enjoyed driving the train let alone living life. This old man is so wretched… not to put him on blast but I actually heard him answer some other young boys’ question: young boy (maybe 8 yrs old) «Do we pay before or after the train ride?». Old man conductor’s response: «The train don’t move til the train gets paid.» I could not believe it! I feel I am pretty easy going and quite sarcastic — but even for me, it was a frreakin rude tone and response. Otherwise we had a great 4^th of July picnic.

It’s little and has seen better days. The route is a big circle under the trees. My husband was able to ride it with our son (30 mon), but it’s not comfortable. That said the kids who can fit in it, will LOVE it.

I’d love to review this train ride, if they ever operated during the advertised hours. I drove here all the way from Redwood City to take my two boys ages 5 and 3 (dragging my 8 month pregnant self). I called before I went and checked the web site and they were open. When we got there, they were not operating, yet the sign on the train said the same days and hours of operation.
I get so frustrated by poor customer service — how hard is it to update a web site or answering machine? Another mom at the park had driven to do the same thing.
I will not be going back. On top of that, it looks like my 5 year old might not find the ride as entertaining.
Train ride folks — update your information for days when you decide not to show up — you’ll win a lot more mom supporters this way.

San Mateo landmark! $ 1.50 a ride! These were the beat prizes you could get that money could buy. Obsessed I looked forward to all the times I could ride this beauty. All aboard!

Our 2 year old, train obsessed son, absolutely loved riding this train today. His not as obsessed twin sister also enjoyed herself. After two rides he was still asking to ride again. The train itself is definitely vintage (built in 1948 per the nice man running it) and small with little cars the adults had to squeeze in to and a pretty tame, circular track. I can understand an older child or adult not being too impressed. But it was a perfectly enjoyable ride for all the little ones I saw riding today. At $ 1.50 per ride, per child, the price may be a little steep but worth it to me to see our little guy so happy.

Glad the train was there, but everything else involved, thumbs down!
Too short of a ride at any price, $ 1.50 per kid and rude service.

I took my 22 month old boy here today, and it was worth the drive from Pacifica. They didn’t start it up right at 11:00am, it was more like 11:15am.
It was a short ride (2 times around the little track), but I think for a toddler, that is probably enough. He seemed to think it was great and has been saying «Choo-​choo» all day long.
I recommend it for the little ones. Bigger kids may think it’s a rip-​off.

Beef-​No’ Guy again with nothing beef noodle related to report on.
I love San Mateo Central Park

Almost everything about it is free and/​or cheap (which is ideal for all the A$Ns, A$N parent$ and their kid$).
Except for this attraction inside in one corner of the park by the playground area, which deserves a separate review.
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Sorry to $hatter your dream$ & expectation$. The one inside San Mateo Central Park is A LOT smaller. It is battery/​electric operated, and goes around in a circle twice. Two rounds per ride and can only fit small toddlers (an adult can fit in but probably not comfortably), literally $ 1.50 for one minute which makes this the pricie$t ride for the $horte$t amount of time. Old train on top of that, and doesn’t make that choo choo sound that the kid$ love to hear.
For real $team train$, you might find something like that at
— Gilroy Garden$. Unlimited ride$ for the price of admi$$ion.
— $an Franci$co Zoo. A real a$$ OG Little Puffer 100 year old ride. $ 4 per ride, kid$ under 3 ride free.
— Kennedy Park in Hayward. About $ 1.50 a ride but way more worth it than the one at $an Mateo.
But those options may be a bit too far for some. This is nonetheless a nice option to have for parents.
Train Hours
Mar 2 — Oct 31 — Sat & Sun 11 — 3
Jun 13 — Aug 15 — Mon — Fri 10:30 — 12
Nov 1 — Mar 1 — Sat & Sun 11 — 1
Also Open on Easter Week
Pay Engineer on Train
Beef-​No’ Cheap A$$ Man. You know you love me LONG time.