Historic Caltrain Milestone Celebration Coming to Menlo Park

Contributed by Will Reisman:

Caltrain will kick off a year-long celebration of 150 years of railroad service between San Francisco and San Jose with the re-enactment of an historic picnic that took place in October 1863 near Menlo Park.

The San Francisco & San Jose Railroad completed the line all the way to San Jose in January 1864, but the management invited notables including Governor Leland Stanford for a VIP train ride when construction was about two-thirds complete. 

Caltrain will bring history to life by re-creating that picnic with a cast of costumed re-enactors and an authentic 19-century-style band. Other event festivities will include informational booths, model railroads and exhibits, and displays including a Wells Fargo stagecoach, a vintage bus and a replica of the transcontinental railroad’s famed gold spike. Moveable Feast will also be on hand along with Baskin Robbins, face painting and more family fun activities.

When: Community festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 19

The program begins at 11:30 a.m. Historic re-enactors arrive by train at 12:14 p.m.

Where: Menlo Park Caltrain Station, 1120 Merrill St.

Who: Speakers for the program will include California State Senator Jerry Hill, Caltrain Board Chairman Ken Yeager, San Mateo County Board of Supervisors members Warren Slocumand  and Adrienne Tissier and Menlo Park Mayor Peter Ohtaki.