While the rails may be gone and the depot long since demolished, Los Gatos was, and will always be, a railroad town. Nestled between the fertile Santa Clara Valley and the forested slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains, the "Gem City of the Foothills" stood at a natural gateway for prosperity; a gateway which would be opened by the Iron Horse. From its arrival in 1877 to the final departure in January, 1959, the railroad played a prominent role in defining the economy and culture of Los Gatos, an influence which can still be seen today.

But 'tis not on tracks that the railroad runs - it's on people. With the steam locomotive came the steam railroader, a unique breed whose culture and traditions have, despite a constant struggle, persevered through dieselization and the test of time. Beyond its swank, white-collar visage, Los Gatos has its own such legacy, one which can be attributed to Southern Pacific legend William "Billy" Jones. The Jones ranch and its miniature "Wildcat Railroad" became a haven for those reluctant to allow the passing of the steam age, hosting dignitaries from SP brass to Walt Disney. And today, students of Jones' apprentices, such as Los Gatans Neil Vodden and Charlie Hoyle, play prominent roles in the steam/tourist railroad industry, preserving these steel behemoths, stories, and practices for future generations.

And it is most sincerely to preserve this, the rich and never-before-completely-documented heritage of a small town and its lost - and often forgotten - railroad, that Railroads of Los Gatos strives to achieve. Join us and relive our rich steam heritage through 128 pages of classic rare photographs and words. Add this timeless souvenir from yesterday to your collection, today. All aboard!

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