Orinda, CA
Photo by OpenStreetMap Mitwirkende, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
About Redwood Valley Railway
Riding the Redwood Valley Railway offers a 12‑ to 15‑minute miniature‑train journey along 1.25 miles (2 km) of 15‑inch gauge track winding through Tilden Regional Park near the base of Vollmer Peak, shaded by mature redwoods planted when the line opened. Steam locomotives pull wooden gondolas past historic anti‑aircraft gun‑emplacement foundations, while the surrounding parkland provides a tranquil, forested backdrop for the seasonal “Winterfest” and anniversary events.
At a Glance
Verified daily- Type
- Heritage railroad & tourist attraction
- Location
- Orinda, CA
- Rating
- 4.9 ★ 1,864 Google reviews
Upcoming Events
No ticketed events are currently listed for Redwood Valley Railway. Many heritage operators publish schedules seasonally or run on regular open hours instead of dated events.
Check the operator’s website for current hours and special runs, or subscribe to event alerts and we’ll email you when something is scheduled.
Plan Your Visit
- Parking
- Free lot · paid lot · street parking
- Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance · accessible restroom · accessible parking
- Hours
- Monday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PMTuesday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PMWednesday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PMThursday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PMFriday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PMSaturday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PMSunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Find the Depot
The Trains
The Redwood Valley Railway runs a 1.25‑mile (2 km) 15‑inch (381 mm) gauge loop through Tilden Regional Park near the base of Vollmer Peak, forming the line’s sole route. Its roster includes four 15‑inch‑scale steam locomotives built on‑site, a diesel‑hydraulic locomotive numbered 2 for work trains, thirteen wooden gondolas that seat up to eight adults, three passenger‑type stock cars, a boxcar, two convertible gondolas, a coal‑storage gondola, a D&RGW‑inspired caboose, and a fleet of thirteen four‑wheel maintenance‑of‑way “jimmies” plus several flatcars.
History
See full history
The Redwood Valley Railway begins in 1952 when Erich Thomsen establishes the Tilden South Gate and Pacific Railway on a 12‑inch (305 mm) gauge line. In 1968 the track is re‑gauged to 15 inches (381 mm), allowing two adults to ride side‑by‑side and expanding the line to its present 1 ¼‑mile (2 km) length. After Thomsen’s death in 1995 his daughter Ellen Thomsen assumes operational control and oversees the planting of an additional 900 redwood trees by 2019. The railway’s 10‑year lease with the East Bay Regional Park District expires in 2019, and a dispute over a long‑term lease persists; Ellen tells SFGate in October 2025 that the unresolved lease “may have to pick up everything and leave.” The district’s statement describing the line as “a cherished and valued resource” underscores its unique status within the park.
Around the Depot
California's Redwood Valley Railway is a small-gauge ride in the east-bay hills, with the Market Street Railway about 12 mi away.
San Leandro Historical Railway SocietyTrain Ride·★ 4.6 (53)11 miView →
Market Street RailwayTrain Ride·★ 4.3 (27)12 miView →
San Francisco's Municipal Railway (MUNI)Train Ride·★ 3.2 (5)14 miView →
Millbrae Train MuseumMuseum·★ 4.9 (18)21 miView →
SPCRR HomeTrain Ride·★ 4.1 (9)24 miView →
Naples Depot MuseumMuseum·★ 4.7 (265)25 miView →Grizzly Peak Blvd OverlookPark·★ 4.7 (533)<1 miDirections →The Wall, Grizzly peakAttraction·★ 4.9 (172)<1 miDirections →Laurel Picnic AreaAttraction·★ 4.7 (27)<1 miDirections →Getting There & Staying Nearby
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Rent a Car
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Tours & Activities near Orinda
Tours
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