wnp25.5041

Oakland, CA

July 29, 1956

Miniature steam train ride with passengers in Peralta Park, Oakland. Peralta Playland (1950 – 1968) was a small amusement park along the channel between Lake Merritt and the estuary next to the Kaiser Convention Center. Locomotive painted in livery (color scheme) of Southern Pacific Daylight. Childrens Fairyland? [Oakland Jul 29, 1956] Train was called the "Oakland Acorn." According to Kathryn Kasch in an article in the Oakland Heritage Alliance News, "the steam engine and five cars were built in 1949 by George Reddington and Robert Blecha in San Leandro and 1,500 feet of narrow gauge track was laid around the bit of exposed estuary channel." 2 The train opened to the public on July 22, 1950. The rail line was called the C. & E. G. R.R. (Carefree and Extra Gladsome Railroad).