Los Gatos, CA
Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad
4.7· 680 Google reviews
Trip at a Glance
Source checked 2026-08-14- Type18-inch-gauge miniature railway linking Oak Meadow and Vasona Lake County parks
- LocationLos Gatos, CA
- Rating4.7 ★680 Google reviews
About Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad
Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad is a nonprofit, 18-inch-gauge miniature railway whose public train makes an approximately one-mile loop from Oak Meadow Park across Los Gatos Creek into Vasona Lake County Park and back. The operator publishes an 8–10 minute ride, one public entrance and exit at Oak Meadow Station, and walk-up ticket sales rather than timed reservations. Train and carousel rides currently require separate $5 tickets; children age two and under ride free with a paying adult, while riders with disabilities and a necessary attendant ride free under the operator’s access policy. The experience is intentionally small and family-oriented, but it is a real railway with a historic 1905 steam locomotive, a second modern steam locomotive, diesel power, open-air passenger cars, a bridge, shops, volunteers, and a seasonal operating pattern. The current fall schedule is weekends only, followed by shorter winter weekend hours. Rain and temperatures of 98°F or higher stop the train, carousel, and food operation. Because ordinary rides are first come, first served and the locomotive is not promised, visitors should check same-day conditions by phone or the operator’s Facebook updates before driving to Los Gatos. This page records the current recurring schedule and every safely supported future special-event occurrence, then pairs the ride with the onsite carousel, Vasona Lake County Park, and a substantial nearby Japanese garden rather than generic chain filler.
Build a Complete Los Gatos Park Day
Choose the visit that fits your groupFamilies, miniature-railway fans, first-time visitors, and multigenerational groups
Ride the one-mile park loop
Buy a walk-up ticket at Oak Meadow Station and ride across Los Gatos Creek into Vasona Park, without assuming a particular locomotive.
Families with young children and visitors building a compact one-hour stop
Pair the train with the onsite carousel
Treat the Bill Mason Carousel as a separate ride requiring its own ticket and its own animal, transfer, and queue rules.
Walkers, cyclists, picnickers, birders, and families extending the park day
Explore Vasona beyond the rails
Add the lake, paved trail, picnic areas, nature center, and seasonal boat rental after checking current trail detours and park fees.
Garden, history, architecture, photography, and culture-focused travelers
Add Hakone Estate and Gardens
Make a deliberate drive to Saratoga for an 18-acre historic Japanese garden, current art, and seasonal cultural programming.
Wheelchair users and guests who cannot safely wait in the standard queue
Use the accessible train car
Tell the ticket booth or any employee that the wheelchair car or queue assistance is needed so staff can prepare the boarding process.
Upcoming Events
Official schedule information
2026 special-event calendar
Schedule information was checked against the linked official source. Dates, availability, and operating conditions can change. Check the live official calendar ↗
Plan Your Visit
- ParkingOak Meadow parking may carry a Town fee when an attendant is present; Vasona has a County vehicle fee. Disabled placard parking is free according to the operator. University Avenue provides free overflow parking where legally available.
- AccessibilityRequest the custom wheelchair-accessible train car at the booth; it can carry up to four wheelchairs and uses a ramp. Riders with disabilities and a necessary attendant ride free. Queue assistance is available through the manager on duty.
- WeatherThe train, carousel, Snack Shack, and barbecue do not operate in rain and close when temperatures reach 98°F or higher. The decision is normally made shortly before opening; call 408-395-7433.
- RestroomsRestrooms and surrounding park grounds are controlled by the Town of Los Gatos or Santa Clara County, not the railroad. Oak Meadow publishes onsite restroom facilities.
- RouteApproximately one mile from Oak Meadow Station, across the bridge into Vasona Lake County Park, around the park, and back to the same station.
- Ride TimeThe operator publishes an 8–10 minute train ride. Queue and loading time vary; all riders exit after each trip and rejoin the line for another ride.
- Fall HoursAugust 10–November 1, 2026: train and carousel Saturday and Sunday, 10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Winter HoursNovember 2, 2026–February 2027: train and carousel Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Tickets$5 per train or carousel ride; each attraction requires its own ticket. Children two and under ride free with a paying adult. Prices can change.
- PurchaseBuy ordinary tickets in person at the railroad booth during operating hours. Credit cards are accepted; ordinary rides have no timed reservation.
- Groups$4 per ticket when purchased in quantities of at least 30. Group tickets are nonrefundable, do not expire, and are not valid for special events.
- PetsLeashed dogs and pets are allowed on the train without a ticket. They are not allowed on the carousel. Park and special-event rules can be more restrictive.
- ContactCall 408-395-7433. The physical address is 233 Blossom Hill Road; the separate mailing address is PO Box 234, Los Gatos, CA 95032.
Find the Depot
The Trains
The roster centers on No. 2, a one-third-scale 2-6-2 Prairie built by Johnson Machine Works in Los Angeles in 1905 for the Venice Miniature Railway. It runs on 18-inch-gauge track, weighs more than 9,000 pounds, and returned to service in 2005 after a restoration that included a replacement boiler. No. 5 is a larger one-third-scale 4-6-2 Pacific built by Merrick Light Railway Equipment Works and delivered in April 2013; it debuted publicly that July. Diesel No. 2502 was built by Custom Locomotive Works in 1992 and became the principal power while No. 2 was under repair. Sister diesel No. 3502 arrived in 2005 after construction by Merrick. Shop-built No. 4 is a switcher used around the yard and for track work rather than passenger trains. The operator does not publish a dated locomotive-assignment calendar, so steam, diesel, double-heading, consist length, and individual car availability must never be promised from the roster alone.
History
Johnson Machine Works built the future No. 2 for the Venice Miniature Railway.
Billy Jones acquired the locomotive and began restoring it for his Los Gatos ranch.
Jones opened the Wildcat Railroad on his ranch.
Jones died and community members organized the nonprofit that preserved the railway.
The relocated railroad began public operation in Oak Meadow and Vasona parks on July 26.
Diesel No. 2502 joined the roster and later covered service during No. 2’s overhaul.
No. 2 returned after major restoration, and diesel No. 3502 joined the fleet.
New steam locomotive No. 5 entered public service.
See full history
William “Billy” Jones was born in Ben Lomond in 1884 and began railroad work at age 13 with the South Pacific Coast Railroad. He later worked for Southern Pacific and retired in 1950. In 1939 he found and bought the small 1905 locomotive that became No. 2, restored it at his Los Gatos ranch, and opened his Wildcat Railroad there in 1943. For about 25 years he offered rides without a fixed fare, accepting donations. After Jones died in January 1968, community members formed a nonprofit to preserve the railway and moved it to land in Oak Meadow and Vasona parks. The present public operation began July 26, 1970, with nearly a mile of track, an engine house, depot, and a bridge using a former Southern Pacific flatcar. The nonprofit continues to preserve the equipment, operate affordable public rides, and train staff and volunteers. The operator’s official history supports this core sequence; more colorful claims in older secondary copy are omitted where the current first-party account does not substantiate them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad ride?
The operator publishes an 8–10 minute ride over an approximately one-mile loop from Oak Meadow Station through Vasona Lake County Park and back.
What does a ticket cost?
A standard train or carousel ticket currently costs $5. Each ride requires its own ticket; children two and under ride free with a paying adult.
Can I buy tickets online or reserve a departure?
No ordinary advance or timed reservation is published. Buy tickets at the booth during operating hours and board first come, first served.
What are the remaining 2026 regular hours?
Fall operation through November 1 is Saturday and Sunday 10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Winter operation beginning November 2 is Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Will the train run in rain or extreme heat?
No. The operator says the train and carousel close in rain and at temperatures of 98°F or higher. Call shortly before opening for the decision.
Is steam guaranteed?
No. The roster includes two steam locomotives and diesel power, but no dated assignment calendar is published.
Is the train wheelchair accessible?
Yes. Ask for the custom car, which uses a ramp and can carry up to four wheelchairs. Riders with disabilities and a necessary attendant ride free.
Can someone avoid the standard queue for a disability?
Yes. Ask the manager on duty for exit-gate boarding assistance; a wait may still be required depending on current demand.
Are dogs allowed?
Leashed dogs and pets are allowed on the ordinary train without a ticket, but not on the carousel. Special events or park rules may differ.
Where do I park?
Oak Meadow Park has parking that may carry a Town fee when staffed. Vasona has separate County parking, and University Avenue is listed as free overflow where legal.
Does the railroad control picnic reservations and restrooms?
No. The Town of Los Gatos controls Oak Meadow facilities, while Santa Clara County controls Vasona facilities.
What is the Holiday Train schedule?
The current calendar publishes Thursday-through-Sunday evening operation in December through the 27th, 6–9 p.m., excluding December 24 and 25. Tickets are sold at the booth and weather can cancel service.
Sources & Verification
Source-checked August 14, 2026. This free profile has not yet been claimed or confirmed by the operator.
- Official hours page for the complete 2026 spring, summer, fall, and winter operating patterns
- Official ticket page for current fares, age rule, group tickets, special-event pricing, walk-up sales, credit cards, and free disabled-rider policy
- Official FAQ for route, duration, weather and heat closures, pets, continuous and half-hour operation, parking, park responsibility, groups, and Holiday Train rules
- Official access page for the wheelchair car, four-wheelchair capacity, ramp, free attendant, and alternative queue procedure
- Official railroad page for No. 2, No. 5, diesels 2502 and 3502, switcher No. 4, builders, dates, and operating roles
- Official history page for Billy Jones, the ranch railroad, nonprofit formation, relocation, infrastructure, and July 26, 1970 opening
- Official contact and directions pages for phone, physical and mailing addresses, park location, access routes, and parking caveats
- Official special-events page for Billy Jones Day, pasta dinner, and current Holiday Train operating pattern and exclusions
