PHOTO CHARTERS
upcoming events
RETURN OF THE MOVIE TRAIN
March 29, 2026
Jamestown, California
In partnership with Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, Dynamo Productions is excited to invite you to Jamestown, California, for a one-of-a-kind photo charter celebrating the return of Sierra Railway No. 3. For the first time in over thirty years, this historic 4-6-0, a Rogers Locomotive and Machine Works product of 1891, will pull a freight train!
The locomotive will appear as it did in movies, with a balloon stack, box headlight, wood load on the tender, and a number plate temporarily painted black with aluminum silver. Period scenes will be staged between Jamestown and Rock Siding.
Morning session: Passenger train; attendance cap 30; tickets $135
Afternoon session: Freight train; attendance cap 15; tickets $200
Night session: Freight train; attendance cap 15; tickets $100
BOSTON & MAINE 1397
NEW DATE | November 9-10, 2026
Strasburg, Pennsylvania
In partnership with the Strasburg Rail Road, Canadian National No. 89 will receive an extensive cosmetic overhaul to resemble Boston & Maine B-15 Mogul No. 1397, making it the first B&M-lettered steam locomotive to operate in nearly 70 years! With passenger, freight and mixed consists throughout the two-day event, No. 1397 will delight photographers, videographers and railfans with authentic late-steam branchline operations.
Extensive cosmetic overhaul to Canadian National No. 89
Freight, mixed and passenger consists
Various ticket packages to suit any budget and interest level
What is a PHOTO CHARTER?
Photo charters enable photographers, videographers and railroad enthusiasts of all skill levels and interests to capture railroad subjects in a controlled, photogenic environment. The objective of photo charters is often to recreate a particular time and place in railroad history.
Participants are given access to designated private locations, selected for the best lighting and operating conditions, where the train will perform “runbys” to recreate authentic railroad operations. As time allows, multiple runbys will be performed, allowing participants to capture various angles at each location. Historic buildings, vintage automobiles, accurate props and period actors help bring each scene to life.
Dynamo Productions collaborates with host railroads, historical societies, local businesses and vendors, landowners, individuals, other charter operators, and its online following to operate each photo charter. Ticket fares help cover the various expenses of charter operation.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Courtesy of Mark Klingel, Kelly Lynch, Joe Whelan, Jonah Collins, Simon Miller
Disclaimer
Dynamo Productions reserves the right to cancel a charter if the required number of tickets is not sold by the cut-off date, which varies for each charter (please refer to the charter's individual page). If a ticket holder is unable to attend an event, Dynamo Productions, any co-hosts, or any other involved parties are not responsible for a ticket refund. If an event is canceled, any ticket holders for the canceled event may receive a refund (this is the only situation where refunds are available) or credit to future Dynamo Productions events (equal to the price paid for the tickets purchased for the canceled event, not the number of tickets purchased). Dynamo Productions reserves the right to change the date, features, and/or equipment of an event. Dynamo Productions, co-hosts, railroads, museums, parks, and non-profit organizations involved in each charter are not responsible for any railroad equipment failures, delays, or cancellations. None of the aforementioned parties is responsible for lost or stolen items or injuries. Failure to comply with any rules that the railroads, parks, or museums may have can and will result in the violator being expelled from the charter. Once the event for which you purchased tickets sells out, we will email all ticket holders a basic itinerary for the event(s) and ticket pickup info. By purchasing tickets, you agree to all terms and conditions outlined above.