Sierra Railroad in Oakdale and Jamestown, California
Historic rail siteHistory page; the public can see the Sierra Railway at Railtown 1897 in Jamestown
The Sierra Railroad was built in 1897 to carry lumber, mining materials, freight and passengers from Oakdale up into the Sierra Nevada foothills, and its name lives on at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown, the town where it built its roundhouse.
- Incorporated February 1, 1897
- Oakdale to Jamestown by November 1897
- Roundhouse and shops in Jamestown
- Part preserved by California State Parks
Sierra Railroad at a glance
- Hours
- No public site of its own; see Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown
- Admission
- Not applicable; check Railtown 1897 for park admission
- Best for
- Rail history fans and Gold Country road trippers
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Contact and directions
Look inside the book
Taking the kids to Sierra Railroad? 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 Oakdale and Jamestown.
Rally Takes the Train
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Forty-one miles into the foothills in a single year
The Sierra Railroad was incorporated on February 1, 1897, by Thomas S. Bullock with investors that included William H. Crocker, to haul lumber, mining materials, freight and passengers out of the Sierra Nevada foothills, starting from Oakdale. Bullock brought rails and engines from his earlier railroad venture, the Prescott and Arizona Central. Its first 41 miles, from Oakdale to Jamestown, were finished by November 10, 1897, and Jamestown became home to the roundhouse and central maintenance shops.
The line eventually ran between Oakdale and Tuolumne, with stops such as Cooperstown, Chinese Camp and Sonora. The railroad ran excursion trips from Oakdale to Jamestown in its own passenger cars, and until the early 1960s Southern Pacific would also bring coaches to Oakdale for weekend excursions. In 1966 the general offices moved from Jamestown to Sonora. Later, the Crocker family conveyed part of the line to the California State Park System, which keeps the original Sierra Railway name at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown. Part of the route still runs today under the Sierra Northern name. Ask Railtown 1897 about current public rides.
Where to see the Sierra Railroad today
The surest way to see this railroad's history in person is Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown, which is headquarters for the state-owned Sierra Railway in the same town where the railroad set up its roundhouse in 1897. Check that park's page for hours and rides.
Don’t miss
- The Jamestown roundhouseSet up in 1897 as the railroad's central maintenance facility; Jamestown is now home to Railtown 1897 State Historic Park.
- Oakdale, where the line beganThe railroad's first rails ran from Oakdale, and excursions once left from there for Jamestown.
Bringing kids to Sierra Railroad history
For families, the place to go is Railtown 1897 in Jamestown, headquarters of the state-owned Sierra Railway. The Sierra Railroad itself does not advertise kid programs or rides, so check the Railtown 1897 page before you plan around a train ride.
Plan your visit: tips for Sierra Railroad
- Visit Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown to see the state-owned Sierra Railway.
- Old station names like Cooperstown, Chinese Camp and Keystone make a fun history drive along the route.
- Researchers can look for the Sierra Railroad Records, 1896 to 1955, listed in the Online Archive of California.
Who keeps the story alive
California State Parks preserves the Sierra Railway name at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, and the Tuolumne County Historical Society publishes local railroad history. Visiting the park and supporting local history groups are good ways to help.
Where to go from Oakdale and Jamestown
Start with Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, about 27 miles away, the home of the Sierra Railway today. The Niles Canyon Railway in Sunol is about 60 miles west, and the Placerville & Sacramento Valley Railroad is roughly 65 miles north. For a full list, see train museums in California.
- California State Railroad Museum's Railtown 1897 State Historic ParkJamestown, CA · about 27 mi
- Niles Canyon RailwaySunol, CA · about 60 mi
- Sacramento Valley Live Steamers Railroad MuseumRancho Cordova, CA · about 62 mi
- California Trolley and Railroad CorporationSan Jose, CA · about 63 mi
- History San José Trolley BarnSan Jose, CA · about 63 mi
- Placerville & Sacramento Valley RailroadFolsom / Placerville area, CA · about 65 mi
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
The old Sierra excursions rolled from Oakdale up into the foothills, and I picture families pressed to the coach windows as the hills rose around them. Rally loves a window seat too. In our book he looks out an arched window at the ocean and says hello to a white bird. Different scenery, same happy nose against the glass. My kids are learning to read, and that page is one they sound out on their own.
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
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
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- Christmas train rides in California
- Halloween train rides in California
- Every Amtrak route with kids
Work or volunteer at Sierra Railroad?
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.
Sierra Railroad: 20 history and visiting questions
What is the Sierra Railroad?
The Sierra Railroad is a historic short-line railroad in California, incorporated on February 1, 1897, to carry lumber, mining materials, freight and passengers from the Sierra Nevada foothills, starting in Oakdale. Its first 41 miles reached Jamestown by November 10, 1897, where it built its roundhouse and central maintenance facility.
Can you visit the Sierra Railroad?
The Sierra Railroad does not run its own visitor attraction or website. The public place to see its history is Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown, which serves as headquarters for the state-owned Sierra Railway in the town where the railroad set up its roundhouse. Check the park's information before you go.
Who founded the Sierra Railroad?
The railroad was incorporated by Thomas S. Bullock along with investors that included William H. Crocker. Bullock brought rails and engines from his earlier railroad investments on the Prescott and Arizona Central Railroad. The Crocker family later conveyed part of the line to the California State Park System.
When was the Sierra Railroad built?
The company was incorporated on February 1, 1897. Construction moved quickly: the first 41 miles from Oakdale to Jamestown were completed by November 10, 1897. Jamestown then became the site of the roundhouse and central maintenance facility for the whole line.
Where did the Sierra Railroad run?
The line began in Oakdale and ran into the Sierra Nevada foothills through places such as Warnerville, Cooperstown, Keystone, Chinese Camp and Jamestown, continuing on to Sonora and Tuolumne. A historical photo collection of the route covers stops including Lime Spur and Standard as well.
Is the Sierra Railroad still operating?
Part of it is. One source describes the line as still running between Oakdale and just east of Sonora, now under the Sierra Northern name. The state-owned portion keeps the original Sierra Railway name at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park. Check current sources for passenger service before planning a ride.
What is the connection between the Sierra Railroad and Railtown 1897?
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown holds the part of the former Sierra Railway that the Crocker family conveyed to the California State Park System. It uses the original Sierra Railway operating name, in the same town where the railroad built its roundhouse and shops in 1897.
Why was the Sierra Railroad built?
It was built to haul lumber, mining materials, passengers and freight between the Sierra Nevada foothills and Oakdale. The first 41 miles from Oakdale reached Jamestown by November 10, 1897, the same year the company was incorporated, and the railroad set up its roundhouse there.
Where was the Sierra Railroad roundhouse?
The roundhouse and central maintenance facility were set up in Jamestown when the line reached it in November 1897. Jamestown is now home to Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, where the state-owned Sierra Railway is headquartered.
Did the Sierra Railroad run passenger excursions?
Yes. The Sierra Railroad often ran excursion trips from Oakdale to Jamestown using its own passenger cars. Until the early 1960s, Southern Pacific would also deliver coaches to Oakdale and park them near the depot for weekend excursions sponsored by the Sierra Railroad.
Where were the Sierra Railroad offices?
The railroad's general offices were in Jamestown until they moved to Sonora, effective December 1, 1966, according to an archive description of the company's records. Jamestown remained the site of the historic roundhouse and shops.
Are there Sierra Railroad train rides for kids?
The Sierra Railroad does not advertise its own passenger rides today. For a family train outing tied to this railroad's history, check Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown, headquarters of the state-owned Sierra Railway, for its current ride schedule.
What are the Sierra Railroad hours and ticket prices?
The Sierra Railroad does not post public hours or ticket prices, because it is not run as a standalone attraction. To visit its history, check hours and admission for Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown before you go.
Where can I research Sierra Railroad history?
The Sierra Railroad Records, covering 1896 to 1955, are listed in the Online Archive of California. The Tuolumne County Historical Society also publishes railroad history for the area, and historical photo albums from the late 1960s document stations along the route.
What engines did the Sierra Railroad start with?
According to the Tuolumne County Historical Society, Thomas Bullock brought rails and engines from his earlier railroad investments on the Prescott and Arizona Central Railroad. The specific locomotive numbers are not given in that account.
How long was the Sierra Railroad?
The first section, from Oakdale to Jamestown, was 41 miles long, and the opening segment to Cooperstown was 19 miles. The railroad later extended beyond Jamestown toward Sonora and Tuolumne. For mileage over the years, the Sierra Railroad Records in the Online Archive of California are a good place to dig.
Is there a Sierra Railroad depot in Oakdale?
Oakdale was the starting point of the line, and historical accounts mention excursion coaches parked on a siding near the Oakdale depot. Whether any old depot building can be visited today is best checked with local Oakdale historical groups.
Was the Sierra Railroad in the Gold Country?
Yes. The line climbed from Oakdale into the Sierra Nevada foothills, serving towns such as Jamestown, Chinese Camp and Sonora, and it carried mining materials along with lumber. Jamestown, its old maintenance base, is now home to Railtown 1897 State Historic Park.
Who owns the Sierra Railroad today?
Ownership is split. The portion conveyed by the Crocker family belongs to the California State Park System as the Sierra Railway at Railtown 1897. Another source says the rest of the line still operates between Oakdale and just east of Sonora as the Sierra Northern.
What train museums are near Oakdale and Jamestown?
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park is the closest, about 27 miles from this page's mapped location. The Niles Canyon Railway in Sunol is about 60 miles away, and the Folsom Railroad Museum and the Placerville & Sacramento Valley Railroad are roughly 65 miles north.
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