Tuolumne Historical Railroad Banquet & Raffle

Black Oak Casino Hotel, 19400 Tuolumne Rd North, Tuolumne CA
(same location as the West Side Reunion and the Sierra Railway Seminar)

Please join us for a SPECIAL BANQUET to celebrate Tuolumne County historical railroads. The Banquet will include:

• Buffet dinner including your choice of steak or chicken, salad with choice of dressing, and side. Soft drinks, beer, and wine will be available for purchase from an onsite bar.
• After-dinner presentation by Brian Wise entitled “Sugar Pine Railway 1903 – 1974.” He will cover the creation of the Sugar Pine Railway, why Pickering decided to leave 2 shays and other equipment in the woods after the 1964 shut down, and the 1971 Labor Day weekend “rebirth.” Brian has been a huge Sugar Pine/Pickering fan and amateur historian ever since his dad took him to work on the Sugar Pine Railway’s 1971 operation. He has a long history of working in the railroad industry himself, most recently with Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad from 2006 – 2025, having served as Chief Mechanical Officer, General Manager, and Roadmaster.
• Raffle of at least two major prizes (you do NOT need to be present to win):
  • 2027 Tuolumne Railroad Weekend All-Inclusive Package ($551 value)
  • West Side Shay Lover’s Dream Excursion for 4, including 2 cab rides in a former WSLCo Shay (priceless)

See below for more information on both these fabulous prizes. All raffle proceeds go into THRA’s Special Projects Fund for Tuolumne rail preservation.

• The Banquet is open to all, but tickets are limited to 66 people. Price per person: $60 per person in advance; day of the event (if available) $65. You’ve got to eat, so why not join us for a great time!

To register by mail, please download the registration form.

THRA Members: At Banquet check-in on April 18, current THRA members receive a $5 cash rebate for each Banquet ticket purchased.

Special room rates are available – See Black Oak Casino Hotel – West Side Reunion.

Raffle

There will be at least two major prizes. You will be able to put your ticket(s) into the container for the prize you most want to win, or split your tickets between them (and have a chance to win both!). Tickets purchased by anyone not present will be split evenly among the major prize containers, unless they have designated otherwise. The winning tickets will be drawn at the conclusion of the Banquet.

The major prizes will include:

2027 Tuolumne Railroad Weekend All-Inclusive Package. This prize, generously donated by the Black Oak Casino Hotel, the West Side Reunion, and THRA, consists of the following (estimated value $551):

• One free admission to the 2027 West Side Reunion
• One free admission to the 2027 THRA Banquet
• Four free raffle Tickets for the 2027 Banquet Raffle
• One free admission to the 2027 Sierra Railway Seminar

Just think – this is your chance to attend all the events at the 2027 Tuolumne Railroad Weekend, stay in luxury on site, and still have all your money left to spend at the vendors’ tables!

West Side Shay Lover’s Dream Excursion for 4, including 2 cab rides in a former WSLCo Shay (priceless):

• A ride for 4 persons on the YMSPRR’s beautiful excursion ride, pulled by former West Side Shay #10 or #15
• Two of the tickets are for CAB RIDES, and two are first class tickets to ride in the cupola of YMSPRR’s caboose, built from WSLCo camp dormitory car #11.
• Private guided tour of YMSPRR shop, including several WSLCo artifacts on display.

You do NOT need to be present at the Banquet to win a raffle prize.