San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Loghouse retreat has a working miniature railroad
It's possible to ride the rails without even leaving the comfort of your own backyard.
A loghouse is only one of the cool things on this 20acre property on Starkes Grade Road in Placerville, which is now on the market for $ 1.75 million.
When the sellers, who are train aficionados, first purchased the property, “The only structure on the property was the log home,” explains the listing agent, Jamie Susslin. “They had a vision of what they wanted to do with it.”
They built a scaled train that goes around the lower half of the property on tracks and a raised trestle at some points, with a wealth of intriguing stopoffs along the way.
The private train can hold 25 adults and is modeled on the Lilly Belle train at Disneyland. It’s not included in the list price, but is negotiable into the final sale.
“They would like to have the train stay with the property, obviously,” Susslin says. “It wouldn't have to, but they would prefer that.”
The location is known as Reedyville, and each of the structures along the train tracks serves a purpose.
There's a depot modeled after the New Orleans Train Station at Disneyland, a sheriff’s office, and tunnels.
Along the way, there are also stops at a onebedroom hotel and a onebedroom boardinghouse.
You'll never go thirsty riding these rails.
“There is a train stop along the way and in that little building is a bar,” Susslin explains.
Yet another bar is located in a cave along the tracks, including a distinctive feature that tops it all: a waterfall that goes over the top of the cave bar into a lake.
The owners have used the whimsical property as their personal resort and playground.
“It was really their escape from the hustle and bustle of their busy world,” Susslin says.
Built in 1990, the loghouse has two bedrooms and two bathrooms and about 2,200 square feet of living space.
It has a cozy, rustic feel, even though it has modern amenities and appliances.
The master bedroom features a walkin closet and en suite bathroom.
The owners then built a second house in 2001. It's a much larger, fivebedroom home with plenty of living space and a threecar garage. Even more accommodations are available in a caretaker’s house with its own kitchen, living space, bedroom, and bathroom.
It also includes several parks, two manmade ponds, two outdoor kitchens, and a pool area with a spa and lots of deck and sun space.
The home is located about two hours from Lake Tahoe, in the heart of Placer County. It's private and secluded, yet close to grocery stores, shops, and other amenities.
“There are a dozen wineries within 5 miles,” Susslin says, with a large lake nearby for fishing, swimming, and boating.
Susslin says the perfect buyers could either be interested in living and working away from city life or a multigenerational family interested in a place to play.
For a large family, she points out, "It offers everyone their own their own place to be and their own privacy, yet plenty of space for everyone.”
The property is zoned as residential, which means it could not be converted into a commercial amusement park or zoo, although Susslin says she has had inquiries asking about those and other options. She says she was amazed the first time she met with her clients at the retreat.
“You don’t get this experience anywhere. Who says ' Come over to our place,' and you get there, and you get a train ride around the property?” she says. “I’m sure I’ll never have another listing like this.”