We had been eyeing Railtown 1896 State Park in Jamestown for Ys 3rd birthday. We visit the train ride in the nearby park weekly and he continues to show strong interested in how the train runs so V & I couldnt think of a better way to celebrate!
Jamestown is in the middle of nowhere at the foot of the Sierras. Its not quite Sacramento or Modesto. For sure Id never heard of it. But Railtown 1896 is one of the few train station thats kept functioning from its original existence 125 years ago! We picked the first weekend of April for our own reason but it happened to be their opening weekend for the 2022 season.
Despite packing for the overnight trip in the morning, we managed to hit the road at 8:15 am. After about 2 hours of being strapped in the car seat, the looked a little tired. We stopped by a park in Oakdale to stretch our legs. It turned out to be a pretty cool park with a large network of wooden structure. After potty and snack, I though Yd want to check it out for sure. But he was laser focused on
Y looked like he was reaching his limit but the stakes are high, anticipation is sky high! We finally reached the Railtown at 11 am. I was surprised to see it so busy! Parking lot was pretty much full. Where are they all from?? We squeezed in a space in the far end. Right next to the parking lot was already the railroad. On it was a red caboose with its door open. We havent even got to the ticket booth but you can climb on it. Super cool! Y was ecstatic ? He could have left the park happy at that moment but things hadnt even begun yet. There was also a hay ride running. But even that was nothing but a distraction for him at that point. I told him to lets get the tickets to ride the big choo choo and he finally left the caboose.
The ticket office was at the station along with a store, a little museum, and the restroom. I asked for the train tickets and we were automatically given
the tickets for the 12 pm departure. It also came with the colored wristband. We went to check out the boarding location and saw that a short line was already forming at 11:15 am ? Get in line! The boarding will begin at around 11:45. It was getting hot but 30 min wait is nothing for Y when to choo choo. At boarding, I realized that people were getting sent to predetermined car. I was talking to Y about getting to the front as close as possible to the steam engine but our ticket directed us to car 597, which is the last of the 3 large passenger cars. Still, Y got the first pick of the table/seat. It turned out to be the nicest car because it was the most open and the tables had cute flower centerpieces. After everyone got onboard, choo choo backed up slowly for 3 miles / 25min, all the while a lady gave us the tour. Poor lady had to yell over choo choo and her mask. She and I chatted a little and she even though the steam engine was going to run tomorrow. Read on. Choo choo kicked up a
gear on the way back and we got a glimpse of the smoke. This was really the only time I felt its presence just because its a big train unlike those kiddy rides in the park. The band who was jamming at the boarding area also came around to play at each car. Surprisingly, the journey actually took 45 minutes. After getting off the train, we walked up to the steam engine. It is huge and loud in person, glaring in black. Pretty A guy in overall was putting oil like the old days (I imagine).
It was 12:45 pm - way past lunch time! We ate in the large picnic area behind the roundhouse. Visiting the roundhouse was another experience. Id only seen sheds for the miniature trains so far. This one housed 8(?) with a large motorized turntable. Amazing, especially to think that this was in use 100 years ago. There are so much to see in that area, including more railroads and piles and piles of junk pieces. I recently learned that the trail wheels are slightly conical toward the outside to prevent derailing. I didnt know that it wasnt clamping
on the rail but riding on it.
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