History of the California end of the Transcontinental Railroad, and other historic trains and historic railroads in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Key System Scrapbook
Key System electric transit in the East Bay area from the beginning to the end of WWII. Also the Richmond Shipyard Railway to the Kaiser Richmond Shipyard.
California Railroad & Trolley Corporation
The mission of the California Trolley and Railroad Corporation (CTRC) is to restore, preserve and interpret railroad equipment as it was used to serve the people in Santa Clara Valley, California.
California State Railroad Museum
A two-hour drive to Sacramento is not too far for most railroad buffs to travel to see this tribute to the transcontinental railroad which had its terminus here.
Golden State Model Railroad Museum
They have these huge dioramas within which the trains run. Located at 900-A Dornan Drive, Point Richmond, California, close to the east end of the San Rafael bridge (I-580) in the northeast corner of the San Francisco Bay area.
Niles Canyon Railway
Niles Canyon Railway
An operating historic railroad museum on the last link and LAST SPIKE of the Original Trancontinental Railway, takes you back in time aboard the railways of the past.
Niles Canyon Transcontinental Railroad Historic District
Made up of the 11 mile-long section of the First Transcontinental Railroad that passes through Niles Canyon between the towns of Sunol and Fremont (Niles), north of San Jose, California. The rail line through Niles Canyon to San Francisco was the final segment of the First Transcontinental Railroad and was completed in 1870, providing the first rail connection between the San Francisco Bay area and the rest of the United States.
Niles Depot Model Railroads and Museum
The Niles passenger and freight depots located in the Niles District of Fremont, California, are home to a railroad museum and two new model railroad layouts.
Western Pacific
Probably the most significant event to occur in the history of Western Pacific subsequent to 1953 was the location of the Ford Assembly Plant on company property at Milpitas, California on the San Jose Branch.
The Zephyrettes – A History
Good morning, this is your Zephyrette Jean Williams. On behalf of the Western Pacific, Rio Grande and Burlington railroads, I welcome you aboard the California Zephyr.” With those words, first spoken in Oakland, California on board the first eastbound #18 on March 20, 1949, a grand tradition was born. From the California Zephyr Virtual Museum.
We had some snow over the night of January 27-28, 2002, so on the 29th, after the roads were sanded and clear, my son, Scott and I drove up in to the hills above Milpitas and San Jose to get a closer look. We took Piedmont Rd. to Calaveras. Turned right on Felter and went on up into the hills, and then back down again on Sierra Rd. to Piedmont in San Jose once again. It was about an 18 mile drive.
Recently, with Covid-19, one of the few things we can do for fun is to take a ride into the country. Here’s one of our favorite.
By Ann Zeise,
Date: January 30, 2002
The apricot and walnut grove on Piedmont Rd. near Calaveras is covered with mustard.Palm trees glare at the audacity of snow in their ranch entrance off of Calaveras Rd.Looked like a perfect sledding hill to Scott. Too bad it’s private property.What could we say, but, “Oh, Wow!”OK. What’s all this talk about Zen Diva California cows who’ve never seen snow? So, now we’ve seen snow. Enough already!Mt. Hamilton and its observatories in the snow, from Sierra Rd.Another view of Mt. Hamilton.View of San Jose from Sierra Rd. I-680 loops on the right into downtown San Jose. It is probably Penitenia Creek canyon on the left. Rain falls in the Santa Cruz Mountains in the distance.Monument Peak up close with Mt. Diablo far in the background. We could see for miles!Ranch in the foothills along Sierra Rd., Santa Clara County.Mule Deer enjoying the new, fresh, green grass on the hillsides.
From Calaveras and Peidmont Road, take Calaveras east, up into the hills.
At the “Y” Stay right onto Felter Road.
At the “Y” with Sierra Road, take Sierra Road back down into the Valley.
At the bottom, take Piedmont Road back to Milpitas.
California online driving class, practice tests, and other tips for teens to learn how to get a permit and California drivers license to be allowed to drive.
How to apply for a provisional permit if you are under 18
Have your parent(s) or guardian(s) sign the application.
Driver License and Identification (ID) Card Information
To apply for a driver license if you are over 18, you will need to do the following. [Also check this DMV site if you have unusual circumstances. I cover only how an English-speaking, American teen can get a license to drive a car.]
Step 1
Pass the knowledge test. If you fail the test, you must wait 7 days (1 week), not including the day the test was failed, before retaking the test.
If you are 15½–17½ years old, you will need to provide proof that you:
Completed driver education (Certificate of Completion of Driver Education) OR
Are enrolled and participating in an approved integrated driver education/driver training program (Certificate of Enrollment in an Integrated [Classroom] Driver Education and Driver Training Program). For more information, refer to the Provisional Licensing (FFDL 19) Fast Facts brochure.
When it comes to home instruction, not one other course seems as vital as drivers education. It begins with learning safety as a pedestrian, and progresses through bicycle safety. Then, before you know it, you have a 15 year old teen who wants to earn a drivers license and drive the family car in traffic! At night! During bad weather!
The provisional permit is not valid until you start your behind-the-wheel driver training with an instructor or reach 17½ years old. If you have a permit and plan to drive outside of California, check licensing requirements in that state or country.
Your permit is not valid until you begin driver training; your instructor will sign the permit to validate it. You must practice with a licensed California driver: parent, guardian, driving instructor, spouse, or adult 25 years old or older. The person must sit close enough to you to take control of the vehicle at any time. A provisional permit does not allow you to drive alone at any time, not even to a DMV field office to take a driving test.
Here are some driving schools in nearby Silicon Valley cities.
The Best 10 Driving Schools in San Jose, CA
Learn to drive and qualify for a license in four weekend days. Teen program available. Read reviews in Yelp from students who have taken the driving lessons with each company.
Obtain your parents’ or guardians’ signatures on the application form DL 44. When parents or guardians sign for a minor to get a driver license, they are stating that they will accept financial responsibility for that minor. Your parents will need to call their auto insurance agent to check what adjustments may need to be made to include a teen driver in their policy.
How to Apply For a Social Security Card
If you need to replace a lost Social Security card, change the name shown on your card, or request a replacement card, you need to complete Form SS-5 which is available for download. Or you can call 1-800-772-1213.
Take a practice test online to get use to the language and format.
California Drivers Test
Interactive sample driving test online, if you have Java-enabled browser. Answer sheet available for those who don’t. From DMV site.
Step 5
What to expect at the DMV when you show up to take the written test.
Have all the forms mentioned in Step 2 with you plus the certificate awarded when you passed the drivers ed course.
Have your picture taken (Where to get a haircut in Milpitas.) This photo will be your primary identification for 4 years, so try to make it look great.
Pay the $12 application fee (This fee entitles you to three exams of any type within the 12-month period and pays for both the instruction permit and the driver license. If all requirements are not met within the 12-month period, the application becomes void and all steps must be completed again.)
Pass a traffic laws and sign test. There are 46 questions on the test. A passing score is at least 39 correct answers. You have three chances to pass the test. If you fail, you must wait 7 days before taking it again.
Step 6
Get the Keys! Learn to drive!
Congratulations! You passed the written test! What do you do for the next 6 months?
Locate a driving school and take the three 2-hour sessions of on-road instruction.
Begin your on road driving lessons with your parent or guardian or other licensed driver 25 years old or older.
Complete 50 hours of practice with an adult 25 years or older. The adult must have a valid California driver license and certify to the 50 hours of practice. At least 10 of the 50 hours must have been done at night.
Learn all you can on how to be the best driver you can be.
Learn how to take care of the car entrusted to you.
New Driving Laws
The following are bills signed into law by the governor which have the most significant impact on the department.
Scooter Safety
Here are a few easily digestible guidelines for scooter safety that everyone who uses scooters should observe.
Teen New Drivers’ Homepage
Advice from one teenager to others. Some advice adults would probably not think to point out, such as how to best navigate a school parking lot, or that it is best not to hit a school bus. Look out for anything to do with the mail. If there’s one deer there’s bound to be another.
Winter Driving Tips
Winter driving on roads and highways in the snowcapped mountains of California can be a pleasant adventure or it can be frustrating, tiring and sometimes even hazardous. The CHP provides the following information to help make your mountain driving safe and pleasant.
Step 7
Before being eligible to take your driving test you must:
Be 16 years old
AND
Have possessed your permit for a minimum of six months
Have completed 50 hours of practice with an adult 25 years or older. The adult must have a valid California driver license and certify to the 50 hours of practice. At least 10 of the 50 hours must have been done at night.
You will also need to show proof of insurance for the vehicle you will be taking your drive test in.
After you pass your drive test you will be issued an interim license valid for 60 days until you receive your new photo license in the mail. Double check your address before you leave DMV and tell the DMV representative if you have moved or if your address is incorrect. If you have not received your license after 60 days, call (916) 657-7790 and they can check on the status for you. Have your interim license with you to provide information when requested.
If you fail your drive test, you must wait two weeks before you can take the test again. You have three chances to pass.
Step 8
Congratulations! You passed the road test! You have been issued a provisional license, which has these restrictions for the next year.
During the first 6 months you are licensed to drive you must be accompanied by a driver 25 years of age or older if you drive between the hours of 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. or if you have passengers under the age of 20 in the car at any time.
During the second 6 months, you must still be accompanied by a driver 25 years of age or older if you drive between the hours of 12 a.m. and 5 a.m., however, now you may have passengers under the age of 20 in the car without supervision between the hours of 5 a.m. and midnight.
Persons under 18 may not be employed to drive a motor vehicle. When you become 18, the provisional part of your license ends. You may continue to drive as an adult using your photo license, which will expire on your 4th birthday after the date you applied.
Streets with ‘rat boxes’
Rat boxes were installed in 2004
at the following intersections in Milpitas: Milpitas Boulevard at Dixon Landing Road
Park Victoria Drive at Calaveras Boulevard
Gripes
Mr. Roadshow
Mercury News columnist, Gary Richards, answers your gripes about traffic problems.
CalTrans Current Traffic Information on Social Media
Check here for updates to current road conditions, or call 1-800-427-7623, for all California Highways.
District 4: Alameda, Contra Costa, Napa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma.
SF Gate South Bay Traffic ReportGOOD
Linked report from CalTrans. Time of report at top of page. Updated every 10 minutes. Other advisories on same page.
Traffic IncidentsBEST
From the CHP. Select “Golden Gate” to find problems on local freeways. It is updated every 60 seconds.
Traffic Signal Association: Silicon Valley Chapter
The TSA is a nonprofit, professional organization of people who design, install or maintain traffic signals, street lighting and other traffic control and traffic safety related systems and equipment.
The BART map is getting its biggest refresh in a decade, as officials Friday rolled out a new map for the system to incorporate the soon-to-open Milpitas and Berryessa stations.
Clipper cards will be used as much as possible to eliminate touch points from people’s travel experience. Meanwhile, as with VTA, social distancing measures will be established and enforced aboard all trains. In addition, extra cleaning measures will be undertaken. And rider parking payments will be largely orchestrated by way of app-based transactions. Face coverings are required for all people riding BART.
Sonesta San Jose 777 Bellew Dr. (South side of 237)
Has large conference facilities. For the technically curious, they have an automated robotic butler to bring you stuff. 408-321-9500
Whether you need a car while yours is in for repairs, or you need a larger truck or trailer to haul something big, you can find the vehicle to rent right here in Milpitas.
Taxi & Rideshare in Milpitas, California
UpHail shows available Lyft and Uber rides available in Milpitas right now to book immediately on their site. Book it and get $50 in free ride credit.
Bob Burrell had an open backyard this past weekend where he and his young “engineers” ran his G-scale model railroad for all those who appeared.
Bob is also well known for his movie, the Milpitas Monster, which will be shown once again on the night before Halloween at the Century Theaters. I, Ann Zeise, have tickets for $11 each. Proceeds go to the Milpitas Historical Society, except for postage and PayPal fees. Use the PayPal icon on your screen and give me contact information on how to get the tickets to you. If you buy in person, directly from me, tickets are $10.
This was part of the Bay Area Garden Railway Society Backyard Railway Layout Tour that ran all over Silicon Valley this past weekend.
Established in 1988, the Bay Area Garden Railway Society is one of the oldest and largest regional garden railway clubs in the nation. We’ve hosted the National Garden Railway Convention five times, the most recent being the highly successful event held in 2016. We’ve also hosted two West Coast Regional Meets.
Our club aims to help new garden railroaders find the help they need, starting here.
Sonesta San Jose