Our railroad is a 12 inch gauge "Carnival Style Train" built in the 1950's. It runs around our home. We enjoy sharing it with the community, usually on holidays.
What's unique about our railroad is that until August of 2000 our family had zero railroading, engineering or locomotive experience other than riding other small narrow gauge trains. Our dream of having a backyard railway was realized after talking with a lot of people and taking many rides. We purchased our 12" gauge Ottaway train set in August of 2000 and learned to install the track in our small backyard in Redwood City, California. After 2 months of sawing concrete, digging tree roots, knocking down brick structures and removing play houses we were ready to start the locomotive up for the first time. Our locomotive is a coal fired steam engine, originally built in the 1950's.
The cars were recently rebuilt and repainted. The locomotive came with a tender and 3 cars which carry 12 passengers. We've also added a fuel car, caboose and gravel car. The railroad runs all the way around our house, over a curved trestle and through a tunnel. We enjoy sharing the train and rides with community, friends, family and neighbors.
Train rides are free, and sometimes we do an optional fundraiser for a worthy cause.
Expected 2009 Free Train Rides Schedule:
- Easter Sunday April 12
- Independence Day July 4th
- Halloween October 31
- Thanksgiving day
- Christmas Polar Express December 12
Please visit our website for further details as we get closer to the dates
What's unique about our railroad is that until August of 2000 our family had zero railroading, engineering or locomotive experience other than riding other small narrow gauge trains. Our dream of having a backyard railway was realized after talking with a lot of people and taking many rides. We purchased our 12" gauge Ottaway train set in August of 2000 and learned to install the track in our small backyard in Redwood City, California. After 2 months of sawing concrete, digging tree roots, knocking down brick structures and removing play houses we were ready to start the locomotive up for the first time. Our locomotive is a coal fired steam engine, originally built in the 1950's.
The cars were recently rebuilt and repainted. The locomotive came with a tender and 3 cars which carry 12 passengers. We've also added a fuel car, caboose and gravel car. The railroad runs all the way around our house, over a curved trestle and through a tunnel. We enjoy sharing the train and rides with community, friends, family and neighbors.
Train rides are free, and sometimes we do an optional fundraiser for a worthy cause.
Expected 2009 Free Train Rides Schedule:
- Easter Sunday April 12
- Independence Day July 4th
- Halloween October 31
- Thanksgiving day
- Christmas Polar Express December 12
Please visit our website for further details as we get closer to the dates
Emerald Hills Railway
Emerald Hills, California
Emerald Hills, California
Next Scheduled Free Train Rides
Polar Express
(Weather Permitting)
Sunday December 20,2009
6:00pm to 7:00pm
Email us for more details
Polar Express
(Weather Permitting)
Sunday December 20,2009
6:00pm to 7:00pm
Email us for more details
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