Details to come soon!
A public celebration to commemorate Sierra No. 3’s official return to ride the rails of the Sierra Railway is scheduled for Saturday, July 12, 2025.
Sierra No. 3 was last in service at Railtown in 2021. At that time, an extensive 1472-day inspection began, which is a mandated requirement by the Federal Railroad Administration to ensure a locomotive is fit for service. The significant inspection required a mechanical team to rebuild and assess the condition of the boiler along with inspecting and repairing additional mechanical components. Part of the locomotive’s return to regular service included shakedown runs to identify additional repairs and to prepare all steam engineers for the return.
Sierra No. 3 connects the past to future generations who can continue to make memories and have experiences with this historic locomotive. Known as the “Movie Star” locomotive, Sierra No. 3 starred in more than 100 movies and television shows, including The Virginian, High Noon, Little House on the Prairie, Bonanza, Gunsmoke, and Back to the Future III. The originally coal fired locomotive was built by Rogers Locomotive and Machine Works in 1891 and then later purchased by the Sierra Railway Company of California in 1897 that used the Sierra No. 3 during railroad construction. The locomotive, Jamestown shops, and Roundhouse are listed in the National Register of Historical Places as the Sierra Railway Shops Historic District and Sierra Railway Locomotive No. 3. The site and public programs offer visitors a glimpse of the past and of the short line steam railroading era in the United States.
Once back in service, the locomotive may pull excursion trains two weekends per month. Visitors can purchase excursion train ride tickets online in advance. If still available on the day of the train ride, tickets can be purchased at the Depot Store on a first-come, first-served basis. All paid train ride tickets include Park admission and cost $23 for adults, $18 for youth ages 6-17, are free for children five and under, and available via this link. For more information about Railtown 1897 SHP and the Park in general, please visit www.railtown1897.org; for more information about the California State Railroad Museum Foundation, please visit www.californiarailroad.museum.
Also check out other Entertainment events in Jamestown.
