Wildcat train ride

When we visit grandparents, a favorite park to go to is Oak Meadow Park.  Our first stop has to be the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad. When we have gone, Engine 3502 has been in charge, but on weekends during the summer the heavy lifter is a 104-year old steam engine. This railroad has also been a feature of the park since 1970.

In case you were wondering who Billy Jones was and whether he was, in fact, a wild cat, the answer may be yes. Billy Jones worked for Southern Pacific for fifty years, beginning at age 13. After his retirement Billy purchased a miniature engine and built his own railroad around his ranch in Los Gatos. He called it the Wildcat Railroad. In 1943 and for 25 years Billy Jones led steam train rides around his orchard in Los Gatos.   In 1968, after his death, a group of businessmen formed a non-profit group to raise funds to purchase the train and its equipment from Billy Jones’ estate and relocate it to Oak Meadow Park. The engine, after 25 years of running through orchards and 21 years prior to that running on the Venice Miniature Railway, was in need of a re-haul. Volunteers and local businesses provided help, and the current 104-year old steam train looks as good as new.

More details on the rest of this park are under mini-trips in the San Jose and vacinity section or click here.