How Jamestown’s Railtown Became a Hollywood Railroad for Back to the Future III

JAMESTOWN — November 2, 2026. California State Parks says historic locomotives and buildings at Railtown 1897 have appeared in more than 200 film, television and commercial productions.

A screen landmark

The state identifies locomotive No. 3, known as the ‘Movie Star’, among the site’s best-known artifacts. Railtown served as a filming location for Back to the Future Part III and productions including High Noon and Unforgiven.

The historic site is a real working-era setting

The protected railroad includes maintenance shops, a roundhouse, restored rolling stock and interpretation of Sierra foothills transportation history. A set appearing in a movie is not necessarily available to private filming crews without permission.

How visitors can see it

The park operates a museum year-round and seasonal excursion trains on select dates. Anyone planning professional photography or filming should contact the State Parks film/photography permitting program first.

Official sources

California State Parks — Railtown 1897 Film History.

California58 local reporting. Confirm schedule, terms, access and safety with the operating agencies.

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