A Bay Area childhood rite of passage could be on the brink. The Redwood Valley Railway — better known as the Tilden steam train — is operating month to month while lease talks with the East Bay Regional Park District drag on, and the owner told the Chronicle she may shut it down and move the equipment if a long-term deal does not materialize.
Owner Ellen Thomsen, who inherited the miniature steam railroad from her father, told park directors during public comment this week that after 73 years in Tilden she needs a multi-year lease to make capital improvements and plan for succession.
Without it, she warned, she will “pick up everything and leave.” Her remarks are on the record in the district’s Oct. 21 board meeting video.
The 10-year lease expired in 2019, leaving the railroad on a month-to-month agreement that Thomsen says blocks big investments like new locomotives, passenger cars, and storage barns.
She is seeking a 10-year lease with an option to extend so the railroad can train the next generation to run and maintain the highly specialized equipment. The Park District says negotiations are ongoing and emphasizes that any upgrades must meet fire safety codes.
Despite the uncertainty, demand has surged. Thomsen says ridership is up roughly 25 percent since the COVID lockdown, as families look for affordable, close-to-home outings. A standard ride still costs about $4 and lasts around 12 minutes through the redwoods along the 1.2-mile loop above Berkeley.
The railroad employs about 30 people, builds and maintains its own rolling stock, and pays the district a share of ticket sales. Thomsen, who recently turned 70, has floated converting to a nonprofit so the trains can keep running long after she retires — but says she cannot proceed without a stable lease.
Why it matters
For generations of East Bay families, the steam trains are a low-cost gateway to parks and history. The attraction also anchors a cluster of kid-friendly Tilden experiences — the merry-go-round, the Botanic Garden, and the Little Farm — making it one of the most concentrated family day trips in the 925 and inner East Bay. If the lease dispute is not resolved, that ecosystem loses a star draw.
What’s next
- Lease talks continue. The Park District says it values the trains and wants them to stay, but the terms, scope of improvements, and safety provisions remain in flux.
- Public pressure could matter. Residents can submit comments to the EBRPD Board and follow upcoming agendas; Thomsen has used the public comment period to press her case.
- Plan your visit sooner than later. Until anything changes, the railroad continues to operate on weekends (daily in summer) with on-site ticket sales. Check official pages for hours and weather closures.
How to support
Ride the train, share your experiences with the district, and keep an eye on board meeting agendas for future lease updates. If you go, arrive early on fair-weather weekends and bring cash or a card for $4 tickets; parking and restrooms are adjacent to the venue.
In terms of advocacy you can do:
| Method | Instructions |
| Send your comments to the Clerk of the Board at publiccomment@ebparks.org. It’s helpful to include a subject line like “Public Comments – Tilden Steam Train Lease.” | |
| Voicemail | Call (510) 544-2016 and leave a message. Start your message by clearly stating you are providing “Public Comments – Tilden Steam Train Lease” and then provide your name, place of residence, and comments. |
| Live/Virtual | Attend an upcoming EBRPD Board of Directors meeting. Meeting agendas, including details for joining via Zoom or in-person at the Administrative Headquarters, are posted on the EBRPD website. You can address the Board during the Public Comment period. |
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