ABOUT THE RAILROAD
Located above Portola Valley, California this 7.5" gauge layout is a scenic live steam railroad with distinguishing features and almost 14,000 feet all steel track of which about 10,500 feet is mainline, more or less. The right-of-way circles a lake, crosses multiple bridges and trestles of varying designs, extends through two tunnels and negotiates significant differences in elevation. This affords interesting views of hills, valleys, redwoods, and parts of the San Francisco Bay. While riding, you will pass over / under other tracks and see trains operating on optional routes, providing opportunities to wave to fellow travelers moving in different directions. Adding to the intrigue, it is not always obvious how you might access these other alternative routes from your track. Sidings are located in attractive areas for enjoying lunch, conversation, or photo ops.
The Portola Valley and Alpine Railroad is maintained and operated by volunteers under a charter from the owners. There are about 70 members, and the club is actively seeking new membership. We are always repairing, extending, or upgrading the right-of-way. It’s our thing; build we must.
The railroad has weekly Workdays for members to maintain/enhance the railroad and monthly Rundays for members and their guests to enjoy the railroad. The club also holds Operations Meets where we run the railroad like the way a real one works with freight trains busy picking-up and delivering goods from industries along the system while sharing the right of way with passenger trains.
The railroad, located on private land, is not open to the general public. If you are looking for a nearby public live steam railroad we recommend a visit to the Golden Gate Live Steamers at Tilden Park, in Berkeley California.
If you are new to the railroad we encourage you to get an overview of what the Portola Valley and Alpine Railroad has to offer by exploring our railroad menu which starting with some or the following pages:
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