The Tilden steam train, the pint-sized Redwood Valley Railway that has anchored countless family outings in the Berkeley Hills, is suddenly in danger of rolling out of town. Owner Ellen Thomsen has warned that unless the East Bay Regional Park District signs a long-term lease, she may dismantle the operation or remove the trains and track entirely, rather than investing money in a line without secure tenure.
Thomsen told park directors she might "pick up everything and leave" if the uncertainty continues. She raised the alarm during public comment to the district board, stating that the most recent 10-year lease ended in 2019 and that the family-run concession has been operating on a month-to-month basis ever since. Her father built the line, which opened in 1952 and now serves as a 1.25-mile loop that carries roughly 250,000 riders annually, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Park District says it wants the trains to stay
District officials say they are not trying to chase the trains out of Tilden. Staff have told reporters they value the steam operation and are still negotiating a longer agreement, while stressing that any capital work must meet modern safety standards.
"The Steam Trains are a cherished and valued resource, and the Park District is committed to their continued operation," the district said in an emailed statement, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Why a long-term lease matters
Thomsen and her crew say the short-term setup is more than a paperwork headache. Operating month to month makes it nearly impossible to secure county permits for barns, boilers, and other major upgrades, which in turn blocks essential repairs and long-term succession planning.
Local coverage has documented a post-pandemic surge in ridership that has pushed the tiny railroad to its limits, straining storage space and equipment. Thomsen has argued that a multi-year lease is the only realistic way to finance new locomotives, passenger cars, and protected work space, according to SFGate.
Site problems and the stakes if talks fail
On top of the legal limbo, Thomsen told park directors that a bathroom near the parking lot has caused backups that flooded the roundhouse, putting equipment at risk. Engineers are already assembling a fifth locomotive, but she said they do not have secure storage for it.
Thomsen is working on a succession plan that would include forming a nonprofit and building an on-site office, library, and archive to preserve the railway's history. She has said those plans, and the railroad's future in Tilden, hinge on getting a long-term lease. Without one, she warned, she may move the track and trains by flatbed or sell off assets, according to Berkeleyside.
How to weigh in
The standoff has prompted a flood of messages from riders and families sharing stories of first rides, birthday parties, and multi-generation traditions on the little train. Community members say public pressure could help shape what happens next as negotiations continue behind the scenes.
The East Bay Regional Park District posts board agendas, public-comment instructions, and archived meeting videos, including the sessions where Thomsen spoke, on its website and in the district's online archive. The Oct. 21 public-comment session is available for viewing in the EBRPD meeting archive.
For now, the Redwood Valley Railway is still chugging along with regular rides, but Thomsen says the clock is ticking to lock in the legal protections needed to keep the line running for the next generation, as reported by CBS News. Families and train enthusiasts who want to keep the steam whistles echoing in Tilden can track the park board's calendar and utilize the public-comment process while the lease negotiations unfold.
