The Griffith Park & Southern Railroad has operated almost continuously since 1948.  GP&S Railroad (4400 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles , near Los Feliz and Riverside) and Travel Town Railroad (5200 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, Forest Lawn exit from the 134 Fwy.) are open 364 days a year, closing only on Christmas Day.

If your kids are Thomas the Tank Engine fans, than this is a no-brainer half day excursion.  We visited GP&S over Memorial Day weekend and the kids could not get enough of the 1 mile mini-train ride, traveling over 2 bridges, a tunnel, a mini-Wester town and other fun things to look at.  At $2.50 per person per ride (even my 2 year old) and 3 rides (they would have stayed for 10 rides if I didn't exert parental control), it was not exactly cheap but was definitely well worth it.

Oddly, the Travel Town Railroad was closed for a private party the day we visited, but this wasn't an issue due to the close proximity of GP&S.  Travel Town also has a railroad equipment history museum.  Travel Town is a 3/8ths of a mile track that does 2 loops, so you do get 1/4 of a mile more ride for your money on the GP&S track.  GP&S also has a simulator ride, pony rides and concession stands. 

For additional information, visit www.gprah.com or call 323.664.6903 (GP&S) or 323.662.9678.