A large, framed black and white photograph. The image features Billy Jones crouching down next to a young boy as they both look at a toy train locomotive. There is a complete toy train on the ground in front of them, with a real locomotive in the background. The photo has a white matte, and the frame is a thin, brown wood.
Photograph was taken by an unidentified Southern Pacific Company photographer.
Lexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
Photograph, Black-and-White
Nomenclature Primary Object Term
Photograph
Nomenclature Sub-Class
Graphic Documents
Nomenclature Class
Documentary Objects
Nomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication Objects
Dimensions
Width
27 in
Depth
7/8 in
Length
27-5/8 in
Dimension Notes
Measurements are for frame.
Condition
Overall Condition
Good
Interpretative Labels
Label
"Toy trains that run smoothly at Christmas sometimes need repairs later on. Here, little Donald Lyons of San Francisco, California, is shown getting expert advice from Billy Jones, Southern Pacific locomotive engineer." This photograph is one of a series taken by an unidentified Southern Pacific Company photographer. Another photograph from this series was featured on the cover of a 1939 volume of the Railroad Journal.
William "Billy" Jones ran the "Wildcat Railroad" on his ranch in Los Gatos, which he did free of charge, accepting donations as his only form of payment. Children and families from all over the valley enjoyed experiencing the thrill of riding behind a real steam engine. Jones was also an active member in the community and involved himself in a number of charitable organizations. He would often donate to various children's hospitals, orphanages and special-interest groups, but only on the condition he remained anonymous.
Billy passed away in January 1968, but his railroad continues to serve the Town of Los Gatos and the surrounding communities. - Source: The Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad, Inc.
