California Trolley and Railroad Corporation in San Jose, California

Written By Kelsey Cecil

San Jose, California · Updated October 19, 2026 · 12 min read

Rail preservation groupTrain ridesFreeSee its restored trolleys on free weekend rides at History Park

The California Trolley and Railroad Corporation is the San Jose nonprofit whose volunteers brought vintage streetcars back to the city's streets in 1988 and have spent four decades preserving the rail heritage of the Santa Clara Valley.

  • Founded in 1982
  • Restored San Jose's vintage trolleys
  • Free weekend trolley rides at History Park
  • Southern Pacific 1215 on display
  • Saved the 1899 Lenzen Roundhouse
  • Volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit

California Trolley and Railroad Corporation at a glance

Hours
Weekend trolley rides at History Park; check History San José for current ride times
Admission
Trolley rides are free; History Park admission is free unless an event notes otherwise
Train rides
Free vintage trolley rides on weekends at History Park in Kelley Park
Seasonal events
Holly Trolley holiday service in downtown San Jose (when operating)
Plan for
About 1 to 2 hours at History Park
Best for
Trolley fans, families and would-be restoration volunteers
Best ages
All ages for trolley rides

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to California Trolley and Railroad Corporation? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to San Jose.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

How a Seattle streetcar sparked a San Jose rescue

The California Trolley and Railroad Corporation began with a trip to Seattle. In 1982 Santa Clara County Supervisor Rod Diridon Sr. attended a transit conference there and saw the city's historic Waterfront Streetcar in action. Santa Clara County was planning a new light rail line at the time, and Diridon believed historic cars could build excitement for it. CTRC was founded that year as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to preserve and share the valley's rail transportation legacy.

The county transit district bought vintage streetcars, and volunteers did much of the restoration at History Park in Kelley Park, where a trolley barn designed in the style of early 1900s car barns went up in 1984. On November 18, 1988, Historic Trolley service began in downtown San Jose. Over the years it shifted from daily runs to summers and later to the holiday season, when it became known as the Holly Trolley. CTRC volunteers also opened a track extension in August 2009 that carries trolleys through Kelley Park to the Japanese Friendship Garden and Happy Hollow Park and Zoo.

Steam has been the group's other long project. In 1992 the county approved CTRC's plan for a San Jose Steam Railroad Museum at the fairgrounds, built around the six-stall Lenzen Roundhouse and turntable. The roundhouse dates to 1899, was damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake and was donated by Southern Pacific in 1994. It would have housed Southern Pacific 2479, donated to the county in 1958, and Southern Pacific 1215. The county withdrew its support in 2002, and for two decades CTRC searched for another site. In 2021 it reached an agreement to move 2479, the roundhouse and the turntable to the Niles Canyon Railway, run by the Pacific Locomotive Association, while 1215 went on display in History Park.

Where to see CTRC's work today

The best place to meet CTRC is the trolley barn at History Park in San Jose's Kelley Park, a joint project with History San José. Restored streetcars are kept and displayed there, and on weekends they carry visitors for free along tracks that run the length of Kelley Park toward Happy Hollow. Cars in the group's story include Melbourne tram 531, which entered service in 1990, and Milan car 2001, which followed in 1992. Southern Pacific 1215 is displayed in History Park as well.

Southern Pacific 2479, the big steam locomotive CTRC has been restoring for years, is headed to a new home on the Niles Canyon Railway along with the Lenzen Roundhouse and turntable. CTRC's website keeps a 2479 restoration diary, facts and a timeline, and the group shares weekly updates on Facebook and in its quarterly newsletter, The Clearboard. Volunteers hold Saturday workdays, and visitors who want to watch restoration work are welcome, especially, the group jokes, if they arrive in steel-toed boots and work gloves.

Don’t miss

  1. The History Park trolley barnBuilt in 1984 for restoring and displaying vintage streetcars, it is where CTRC's volunteers do their work and where weekend trolley rides begin.
  2. Southern Pacific 1215A Southern Pacific steam locomotive placed on static display in History Park after the steam museum plans changed.
  3. Southern Pacific 2479A large steam locomotive donated to the county in 1958 and under restoration by CTRC; it is moving to the Niles Canyon Railway.
  4. The Lenzen RoundhouseA six-stall Southern Pacific roundhouse from 1899 that CTRC saved after the Loma Prieta earthquake; it is being relocated to Niles Canyon with its turntable.
  5. Kelley Park trolley lineTracks from the barn that run through the park to Happy Hollow, including the extension CTRC opened in 2009.

Free trolley rides in Kelley Park

For families, CTRC's work means a free ride on a real vintage streetcar. Trolleys run on weekends at History Park in Kelley Park, and the line heads toward Happy Hollow Park and Zoo, so a ride fits nicely into a day at the park. Kids can also see Southern Pacific 1215, a full-size steam locomotive, on display nearby.

Older kids and teens who love machines might enjoy watching a restoration workday with a parent. CTRC asks visitors at its locomotive restoration site to bring steel-toed boots and work gloves, and it provides hard hats.

Plan your visit: tips for California Trolley and Railroad Corporation

  • Visit History Park on a weekend to ride the restored trolleys.
  • Follow CTRC on Facebook for weekly restoration updates.
  • Bring steel-toed boots and work gloves if you plan to watch or help at a restoration workday.
  • For news on SP 2479 and the Lenzen Roundhouse, check with the Niles Canyon Railway as well as CTRC.

For many years San Jose's historic trolleys ran in downtown San Jose during the holiday season as the Holly Trolley, with service on December weekends that could be cancelled for rain. Whether it runs in a given year depends on the transit agency, so check before you plan around it, and browse our list of Christmas train rides in California for other holiday options.

Welders, machinists and everyone else

CTRC is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and it says membership is open to anyone interested: you do not need to be an expert welder or machinist. Volunteers gather for Saturday workdays, and the board meets at the Pacific Hotel in History Park. Donations help fund trolley and locomotive restoration, and members receive the quarterly newsletter, The Clearboard.

Follow the story beyond Kelley Park

The History San José Trolley Barn is where CTRC's trolleys live and run, right in History Park. About 19 miles north, the Niles Canyon Railway is the new home planned for SP 2479 and the Lenzen Roundhouse. The Santa Clara Depot is about 6 miles away. See all of California's train museums for more.

Every train museum in California

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of a dad lifting Rally the corgi up the big stairs of a red train car
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

Vintage trolleys have tall steps, and I can already see a corgi looking up at them the way Rally does in our book. His legs are too short for the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost and in he goes. The volunteers who restore these cars are giving the whole city a boost, really. I wrote the book for my mom, and you can read why on our story page.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.

Get the free coloring pages
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

More for train families

Work or volunteer at California Trolley and Railroad Corporation?

We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

California Trolley and Railroad Corporation: 20 FAQs

What is the California Trolley and Railroad Corporation?

The California Trolley and Railroad Corporation (CTRC) is a San Jose 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 1982. Its mission is to preserve and share the legacy of rail transportation in the Santa Clara Valley for educational and recreational use. Volunteers restore historic trolleys and Southern Pacific steam equipment.

Where is the California Trolley and Railroad Corporation located?

CTRC's office and mailing address is 1650 Senter Road, San Jose, CA 95112, which is History San José's address at Kelley Park. Its trolley work happens at the trolley barn in History Park, and the History Park entrance for GPS is 635 Phelan Avenue.

How was the California Trolley and Railroad Corporation founded?

CTRC was founded in 1982 after Santa Clara County Supervisor Rod Diridon Sr. saw Seattle's historic Waterfront Streetcar at a transit conference. The county was planning its first light rail line, and Diridon thought vintage streetcars would build public enthusiasm. The county bought cars, and volunteers restored them at History Park.

Can I ride the California Trolley and Railroad Corporation's trolleys?

Yes. Restored trolleys give free rides on weekends at History Park in Kelley Park, along tracks that run toward Happy Hollow Park and Zoo. As of October 2026, History San José lists trolley rides on Saturdays and Sundays from noon, with the last ride at 3:15 pm, subject to change.

When did historic trolleys return to downtown San Jose?

Historic Trolley service began in downtown San Jose on November 18, 1988, using cars restored with CTRC's help. It first ran seven days a week, then was scaled back to summers in 1994 and later to the holiday season only, when it became known as the Holly Trolley.

What is Southern Pacific 2479?

Southern Pacific 2479 is a large steam locomotive donated to Santa Clara County in 1958 and long under restoration by CTRC volunteers. CTRC keeps a history of the engine, including its 1937 wreck, on its website. The group has announced it will relocate 2479 to the Niles Canyon Railway.

Where is Southern Pacific 2479 now?

In 2021 CTRC agreed to move SP 2479, along with the Lenzen Roundhouse and turntable, to the Niles Canyon Railway run by the Pacific Locomotive Association. CTRC's website still refers to the move and to a former restoration site at the county fairgrounds, so check with both groups for the engine's current location.

Where can I see Southern Pacific 1215 in San Jose?

Southern Pacific 1215 is on display in History Park at Kelley Park in San Jose. It was once planned as a static exhibit for the proposed San Jose Steam Railroad Museum. CTRC volunteers have also organized beautification work on the 1215, so check the CTRC calendar for workdays.

What is the Lenzen Roundhouse?

The Lenzen Roundhouse is a six-stall Southern Pacific roundhouse with a turntable, built in 1899. It was damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake and donated to CTRC by Southern Pacific in 1994 as the centerpiece of a planned steam museum. It is being moved to the Niles Canyon Railway.

What happened to the San Jose Steam Railroad Museum?

In 1992 the county approved CTRC's plan for a steam museum at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, built around the Lenzen Roundhouse. The county withdrew its support in 2002, and CTRC spent two decades looking for another site. In 2021 it agreed to move the roundhouse and SP 2479 to Niles Canyon.

Which trolleys has the California Trolley and Railroad Corporation restored?

CTRC has restored a number of historic trolley cars for operation. Cars connected to San Jose's historic service include Melbourne car 531, which entered service in 1990, and Milan car 2001, from 1992. CTRC's website has a collection page describing the cars at the History Park trolley barn.

Is the History Park trolley barn run by CTRC?

The trolley barn is a joint project of History San José and the California Trolley and Railroad Corporation. History San José runs History Park, and CTRC volunteers restore and maintain the vintage streetcars in the barn. The barn was built in 1984 in the style of early 1900s trolley buildings.

Does San Jose still run the Holly Trolley at Christmas?

The Holly Trolley ran on December weekends in recent years, for example on Fridays through Sundays from December 6 to 22 in 2019, but it did not run in 2020 or 2021. Service depends on the transit agency each year, so check for current holiday plans before you go.

How do I volunteer with the California Trolley and Railroad Corporation?

Membership is open to anyone interested, and you do not need to be an expert welder or machinist. Volunteers meet for Saturday workdays on trolley and locomotive projects. Email info@ctrc.org to get started, or check the CTRC calendar page for workday details.

Can I watch the California Trolley and Railroad Corporation restore locomotives?

Yes. CTRC says visitors are welcome to watch restoration work, and even more welcome if they arrive in steel-toed boots and work gloves; the group provides the hard hat. With 2479 moving to Niles Canyon, contact info@ctrc.org first to confirm where and when work is happening.

How do I donate to the California Trolley and Railroad Corporation?

CTRC accepts donations through the Donate link on ctrc.org. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, it uses gifts to restore trolleys and steam equipment. You can also support the group by joining as a member, which includes its quarterly newsletter, The Clearboard.

What is The Clearboard?

The Clearboard is CTRC's quarterly newsletter, with news about trolley and locomotive restoration and Santa Clara Valley rail history. CTRC also posts items on its blog and shares weekly updates on Facebook, so members and fans can follow projects between issues.

How do I contact the California Trolley and Railroad Corporation?

Email info@ctrc.org or call the trolley barn at (408) 293-2276. Mail goes to CTRC, 1650 Senter Road, San Jose, CA 95112. For questions about visiting History Park itself, History San José's main number is (408) 287-2290.

Is a CTRC trolley ride good for kids?

Yes. The weekend trolley rides at History Park are free, short and right in Kelley Park, which also has Happy Hollow Park and Zoo. Kids get to ride a real vintage streetcar and can see Southern Pacific 1215, a full-size steam locomotive, on display nearby.

What train museums are near the California Trolley and Railroad Corporation?

The History San José Trolley Barn is right in History Park. The Santa Clara Depot is about 6 miles away, the Niles Canyon Railway about 19, and Roaring Camp Railroads and the Felton Covered Bridge exhibits about 22. The Santa Cruz Railroad Museum is about 26 miles away.

Keep exploring

More family train guides from Rally

Kelsey Cecil
Previous

Branson Scenic Railway, Missouri
Next

Gaithersburg Community Museum, Maryland