Sacramento, CA

Located on the banks of the Sacramento River in the Old Sacramento State Historic Park, the California State Railroad Museum has introduced visitors to the region’s rich rail history since opening its doors in 1976. Six original and reconstructed buildings house a diverse collection of railroad memorabilia while the renowned library preserves archival materials from more than 1,000 railroads. In addition, the museum offers popular excursion train rides using vintage rolling stock. Appropriately, the complex is within easy walking distance of the historic Sacramento passenger rail station, which sits on land developed by the Central Pacific Railroad (CP) in the 1860s as it worked to complete the western portion of the first transcontinental railroad.

Multimedia exhibits tell the story of how railroads impacted the lives, landscapes, economy, and politics of the Golden State. The museum’s 21 locomotives and cars are one of its most memorable attractions, and many are set within tableaux that include background buildings as well as mannequins performing various railroad-related tasks. Walking around and through the cars, visitors gain an understanding of how railroad technology and design have changed since the early 19th century.

One of the earliest pieces on display is the Gov. Stanford, a forty-ton wood-burning steam locomotive built in 1862 for the CP. It holds the special distinction of having pulled that railroad’s first excursion train, first revenue freight train, and first scheduled passenger train. Nearby is the Fruit Growers Express Company Refrigerator Car No. 35832. The advent of refrigerated or “reefer” cars allowed California farmers to safely ship their bountiful harvests of fruits and vegetables to growing markets across the nation. The bright and colorful labels that adorned the wooden crates have become collector’s items.

California’s capital traces its roots to 1839 when Johann Augustus Sutter settled at the confluence of the American and Sacramento Rivers and established Sutter’s Fort. A decade later, gold was discovered thirty miles away, and the town became a major distribution point, commercial and agricultural center, and terminus for wagon trains, stagecoaches, and riverboats. The completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869 ensured Sacramento’s continued growth and prosperity.