So, if you were a kid in the Bay Area and have a father who likes trains, you have probably been here - Roaring Camp Railroads. The park is near Santa Cruz in Felton, CA. It is done in the style of a mountain logging camp in 1880. While most of the area was being actively logged, this area of Big Trees was a popular tourist attraction and was spared the axe. The route ran from the beach to the mountains, and is still used for a beach train in the summer.
You probably did not drive here for the hot dogs. The core of the experience is riding a historic steam train. The sounds and smells are very unique and were responsible for building most of the United States. They could burn coal, oil, or wood depending on the location. The technology was also somewhat simple, although they require a tremendous amount of maintenance and labor. They also use a lot of water which eventually doomed them. However, they are still used all over the world for scenic railroads and making kids happy.
The route takes you up steep grades through the redwood forests to the top of a mountain. It is a narrow-gauge railroad with a narrower distance between the rails. Narrow-gauge allows for tighter curves and lighter bridges due to smaller rail cars, however they were only used in limited situations - like mountainous terrain. Some of the sections reminded me of the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad though!
Ultimately, this is a place for kids and kids at heart. You can hear the steam whistle echoing through the valley and everyone is anxiously peeking down the track to see the first puffs of steam. It is just a cool experience for everyone and a good reminder of how much easier things are today! Please enjoy the rest of my pictures below:
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