The Redwood Valley Railway is a gauge miniature railway in Tilden Regional Park near Berkeley, California.HistoryIt was established in 1952 by Erich Thomsen as the Tilden South Gate and Pacific Railway, on a gauge, and has since expanded to of track and over 160,000 passengers a year. Thomsen worked in the engineering department for the Western Pacific Railroad and received at least three patents for his work. The railway occupies land near the base of Vollmer Peak that was previously used as an anti-aircraft gun emplacement.800 now-mature redwood trees were planted when the railroad was initially laid out. In 1968, the railroad was re-gauged to in. The new 15" gauge, 5" scale equipment allowed two adults to ride side by side and is representative of American narrow gauge railroads. Two of Redwood Valley's locomotives have made trips to England, run on several English 15 in gauge railways, including the Ravenglass and Eskdale. After Thomsen died in 1995, his daughter Ellen assumed operations of the Redwood Valley Railway.OperationsRides last approximately 12 minutes. As of September 2011, tickets for adults and children are $3 (children under 2 years old ride free). A five-ride ticket costs $12.ScheduleThe Redwood Valley Railway operates Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm year-round .During the summer the railway operates 7 days a week from 11 am to 5 pm weekdays and 11 am to 6 pm weekends.Special eventsThe first full weekend in June is the Anniversary Meet, which is open to the public from 11 to 6. Most of the RVRY's locomotives are under steam, and often visiting locomotives and rolling stock appear for the occasion.
