Preserving Napa’s Rail Line
Since 1864, our rails have been a principal source of travel through Napa Valley. It’s a history almost as old as the state of California. Learn how we preserve and keep our train rolling.
Rail Arts District Napa
The Wine Train’s sensory experience goes beyond world-class cuisine and luxurious train interiors. Along the two-mile Rail Arts District (RAD), passengers can gaze out at vibrant murals, sculptures, and landscaping created by local and international artists. Conceptual artwork lines the corridor, running from the Oxbow District and along the Napa Valley Vine Trail.
Founded in 2016, this free outdoor museum began as a collaboration between the Napa Valley Wine Train, the Napa Valley Vine Trail, and the local arts community. Inspired by Miami’s Wynwood Walls Arts District, RAD is the first and only of its kind in the area, offering creators large-scale blank canvases to revitalize and beautify Downtown Napa’s Crosstown Commuter Path.
The area features a collection of thought-provoking pieces—from permanent fixtures to temporary installations—with new additions each year. Inspiring murals are displayed on the back of prominent buildings and industrial areas along the Wine Train’s tracks—even extending into Downtown Napa with artwork on rail line signal boxes.
RAD’s installations explore diverse themes, including renewal and regrowth. The first mural unveiled in 2017, Knocking on Heaven’s Door, was completed by Polish artists Bezt and Natalia Rak. Its depiction of a girl reaching for a bright pink butterfly symbolizes perpetual hope and positivity.
Coming soon to the corridor, the Quake Mosaic by Kristina Young is an artist-led project with contributions from over 1,000 community members, honoring the spirit of resilience after the 2014 Napa earthquake and the 2017 and 2020 wildfires in Napa County. This piece, like many others, represents the collective efforts of residents to restore the vitality of our region.
RAD’s untraditional canvases invite guests to get up close to dynamic works of art. Visitors can walk or cycle past the installations on the Napa Valley Vine Trail to take in a different perspective. Plus, RAD is fun for all ages and offers educational outreach programs. Each summer, we invite youth to participate in the OUR RAD Wall Program, an initiative encouraging young artists to tap into their burgeoning creativity.
There are many ways to support and contribute to the Rail Arts District. RAD welcomes volunteers, mural sponsors, and donations to help sustain the joint efforts of the Napa Valley Wine Train, the Napa Valley Vine Trail, and Napa’s artist community.
Throughout the year, the Wine Train supports the effort and funding of RAD to help define the future of this installation and to welcome accessible art to our wider community. During the ticket booking process, our guests are invited to support on their own by making elective donations to support a range of causes throughout the year, including RAD.
Stewards of the Valley
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Love Lock Bridge
Connecting our station and the boarding platform, the Love Lock Bridge invites you to commemorate your bond. Leave behind a token of your love, whether riding with us or passing through the Valley.
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Napa Valley Vine Trail
The Vine Trail is a free-access bike and pedestrian pathway parallel to the Wine Train’s rails. Helmed by a visionary non-profit coalition, this ongoing project seeks to connect all of Napa Valley.
