Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad

Engine #2 aka the "2 Spot" at BJWRR. The BJWRR has been in operation at Oak Meadow Park and Vasona Lake Park in Los Gatos, California since 1970. In 2010 the railroad attracted over 115,000 riders.

From Wikipedia: On the docks of San Francisco in 1939, Jones discovered a steam locomotive built in 1905 and designed to run on the Venice Railway in Venice Beach, California. He bought the little engine for $100 and got it running again on a railroad he and his railroad buddies constructed on the ranch, dubbed the "Wildcat Railroad". Sons Robert and Neal were victims of World War II, and Jones operated his "Wildcat Railroad" for the neighborhood children, every Sunday until his death in 1968, in memory of his two lost sons. The railroad attracted people from across the valley and beyond, including Walt Disney, who considered purchasing some of Jones' collection of miniature railway equipment. The two became friends, and Jones was behind the throttle of Disney's narrow-gauge locomotives on opening weekend at Disneyland in 1955.
Jones retired from the Southern Pacific Company in 1949. In January 1959, it is said Jones ceremoniously ran the last train out of Los Gatos before the rails were taken up throughout the town.
Jones died of leukemia in 1968 at the age of 83, and his "Wildcat Railroad" was purchased by local residents who formed a non-profit organization to relocate and operate it at nearby Oak Meadow and Vasona Parks. The railroad, among the most popular attractions in Los Gatos, continues operation today.


Song: "Dandelion" by TexasMusicForge at Freesound.org and is used under a Creative Commons Sampling Plus 1.0 License

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

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• Steam
• Train
• Engine
• Miniature
• Baldwin
• Locomotive
• Family
• Fun
• Park
• Lake
• Bridge
• Trestle
• trains
• railway
• railroad
• station
• billy
• diesel
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• mini

[mollsmyre]

Excellent 5* video. Enjoyed every minute.