Steam Trains Begin For Season This Weekend

Rain or shine, this weekend marks the opening of Railtown 1897 State Historic Park steam train excursions.

The park, located at 5th Avenue and Reservoir Road in Jamestown, will celebrate the first weekend of train operations in 2003 with entertainment, games, food, roundhouse tours and vintage equipment demonstrations.

Steam trains depart on their six-mile, 40-minute journey through the Gold Country on the hour starting from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The trains will now operate on weekends through November.

A million dollars worth of repairs and renovations slated for Railtown 1897 this year will not be affected by the current state budget crisis according to California State Railroad Museum spokesman Paul Hammond.

He says the historic roundhouse, workshops and other buildings will get needed repairs as well as installation of new fire suppression sprinkler systems throughout the vintage railroad facility in Jamestown.

The projected repairs will mean the annual Railroad Movie Days will not be held this year. Other regular activities will remain in place.