Our Trains
No. 2 Steam Locomotive
BJWRR No. 2 was built by Johnson Machine Works in Los Angeles in 1905 exclusively for the Venice Miniature Railway in Southern California. Designed by John J. Coit, the No. 2 is a 2-6-2 “Prairie” type locomotive weighing over 9,000 pounds. It was constructed to a one-third scale running on an 18” gauge track.
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The No. 2 ran at Venice Beach from 1905 until 1925 when the VMR closed. The No. 2 faded from history until it was discovered by Billy Jones in San Francisco in 1939.
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Following a thorough restoration, Billy ran the locomotive on his ranch until his death in 1968. After the Wildcat Railroad was transferred to Oak Meadow and Vasona Parks, the No. 2 was again restored and continued regular operation until 1994.
From 1994 until 2005, the No. 2 underwent a complete restoration including the replacement of its original boiler. The No. 2 finally returned to service in the summer of 2005 and the occasion not only marked the 35th anniversary of the BJWRR in Oak Meadow and Vasona Parks, but also celebrated the No. 2’s 100th birthday.
No. 5 Steam Locomotive
No. 5 is the newest and largest member of the BJWRR locomotive fleet. Like the No.2, No. 5 is a one-third scale steam locomotive. Yet No.5 is nearly nine feet longer and features a 4-6-2 "Pacific" style design. Following nearly 70 years of service on the railroad, the No. 2 was in need of additional help. The railroad deemed it necessary to add another steam locomotive to the roster and again contracted with Merrick Light Railway Equipment Works for the new locomotive’s construction.
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No. 5 was eventually delivered to BJWRR in April 2013. The arrival concluded a nearly seven-year process from conception to finish and the new locomotive guaranteed BJWRR would remain a steam railroad for generations to come.
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BJWRR debuted No. 5 to the public on July 28, 2013. The inaugural trip was highlighted by a double-header featuring both No. 5 and No. 2, marking the first time in the railroad’s long history that a steam double-header had been employed.
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The occasion was a great cause for celebration and crowds by the thousands made their way to watch and participate in the historic event.
2502 and 3502
Diesel Locomotives
Painted in the unmistakable Southern Pacific “Black Widow” color scheme, BJWRR No. 2502 has a unique history as the first diesel locomotive on the BJWRR. Built in 1992 by Custom Locomotive Works in Chicago, the locomotive was purchased by the late Al Smith and donated to the railroad. Smith, who had incorporated Orchard Supply Hardware, was also a train buff and spent countless hours at the BJWRR and at his own ranch north of Santa Cruz.
No. 2502 received its number from one of Smith’s other locomotives which he ran on the Swanton Pacific Railroad located on his ranch. That particular diesel was numbered SPRR No. 502, hence No. 2502 became the second 502. When the No. 2 went down for repair in 1994, No. 2502 became the mainstay of the BJWRR locomotive fleet.
In early 2002, Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad, Inc. determined that an additional diesel locomotive was necessary to assist with regular operation. Following a series of fundraising efforts, the railroad contracted with Merrick Light Railway Equipment Works in Marshall, Wisconsin to construct a diesel engine similar in style to No. 2502. Much of the funding for the new No. 3502 was received from the late Larry Pedersen.​
In early winter of 2005, No. 3502 was delivered to the railroad and joined its sister locomotives, No. 2 and No. 2502, on the BJWRR locomotive roster. Like No. 2502, No. 3502 is similar in design and features a green and gold paint scheme.
No. 4 Diesel Locomotive
The No. 4 was designed to be the railroads “switcher engine”. It is primarily responsible for moving equipment in and around the yard as well as assisting in track maintenance. No. 4 was built here in the shops at BJWRR.
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While the No. 4 does not serve on passenger trains, its use and utilization continues to greatly benefit the railroad’s needs. It is a rare but great site to see roaming along the rails.
