Railtown 1897 State Historic Park

Phone Number

(209) 984-3953

Park Hours

April through October, open daily 9:30am to 4:30pm;
November through March, open daily 10:00am to 3:00pm.
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.

Dogs Allowed?

Yes
Dogs are allowed outdoors on leashes at all times

Driving Directions to Railtown 1897 SHP

The park is located in Jamestown, 3-miles south of Sonora, at Sierra Av & 9th St.

Online reservations are not available for this park.

TRAIL USE
Hiking Trails
DAY-USE ACTIVITIES & FACILITIES
Historical/Cultural Site
Picnic Areas
Env. Learning/Visitor Center
Exhibits and Programs
Guided Tours
Interpretive Exhibits
Museums
Family Programs
OTHER FACILITIES & VISITOR INFORMATION
Parking
Drinking Water Available

About the park 

Located in Jamestown, in the heart of California’s Gold Country about 100 miles southeast of Sacramento, Railtown 1897 State Historic Park is home to the Historic Jamestown Shops and Roundhouse—an intact and still-functioning steam locomotive repair and maintenance facility, portions of which date back to 1897. This one-of-a-kind attraction combines industrial heritage and railroad history with the lore of Hollywood’s film industry.

The Railtown 1897 SHP complex includes an authentic railroad roundhouse with operating turntable, functional blacksmithing area, and belt-driven machine shop. Guided roundhouse tours are available daily at this unique facility in which locomotives and cars are inspected, repaired, and rebuilt—just as they have been for the past century!  The complex includes related historic structures and Hollywood “props,” plus a large picnic area, store and interpretive center.

The Railtown 1897 interpretive center, the authentic roundhouse and shops, and the Depot Store (a railroad specialty gift shop) are among the Park’s unique year-round offerings.

Take a peak at what the park has to offer with our Day in the Park video. 

The Movie Railroad

Known as “The Movie Railroad,” Railtown’s survival has been aided by the film industry. The first known filming was in 1919, for a silent serial called “The Red Glove.” Railtown 1897 and its historic locomotives and railroad cars have appeared in more than 200 films, television productions, and commercials.

Still a popular Hollywood location site today, Railtown 1897’s most famous locomotive, “Movie Star” No. 3, has been called “perhaps the most widely seen locomotive in the world.” The Virginian (first sound motion picture filmed outside a sound studio), the western classic High Noon, and Clint Eastwood’s Unforgiven were all filmed here. Movie crews also produced the railroad sequences in Back to the Future Part III at Railtown. TV credits include “Death Valley Days” (with Ronald Reagan) and “Petticoat Junction."  

Make your own movie at Railtown 1897 SHP - Film and Photography

Visit the Locomotives and Train Cars and Historic Buildings pages for more history at Railtown 1897 SHP. 


Know Before You Go

Hours of Operation

April through October, open 9:30am to 4:30pm.
November through March, open 10:00am to 3:00pm.
Railtown 1897 SHP is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day

Park Admission

Adults   $5
Youth    $3  (ages 6 to 17)
Children Free (5 and under)

Park admission is included in the price of a train ticket. Visit www.Railtown1897.org to purchase train tickets.

Location-Directions
The park is located in Jamestown, 3 miles south of Sonora, at 5th Avenue and Reservoir Road.

Seasons/Climate/Recommended Clothing
Spring and summer are warm; fall and winter can be cool. Layered clothing is advised.

Film and Photography - Personal use photography is permitted. For ANY photography beyond personal use photography, learn more on the Film and Photography page.

Venue Rental  - For large groups or parties, learn more about hosting a gathering at the park on the Venue Rental page.