California State Railroad Museum
State Park · Sacramento, California
The California State Railroad Museum in Old Sacramento is often described as one of the largest railroad museums in North America. It fills a large building beside the Sacramento River with restored locomotives and cars, among them a Gold Rush-era engine and a big cab-forward steam locomotive that stands up on a mountain-scene diorama. It tells the story of the Central Pacific and the Transcontinental Railroad that joined California to the east in 1869, including the labour of the Chinese workers who built much of it. You can walk through Pullman cars, see the dining and mail cars, and visit a reconstruction of the Central Pacific passenger station next door. On summer weekends the Sacramento Southern excursion train runs along the river - confirm the dates. Plan three hours, more with children. Admission is modest, and the museum is cool and indoors, which suits a hot Sacramento day. Confirm hours and fares.
125 I St, Sacramento, California, 95814, United States
The museum is generally open daily through the day, commonly from about 10 AM to 5 PM, and closed on some major holidays - confirm the times on the State Parks site. Last entry is usually an hour or so before closing. The Sacramento Southern excursion train runs on weekends in summer and on special dates, with set departures that follow a seasonal schedule - confirm and buy tickets early. The reconstructed passenger station and the shops and cafes in Old Sacramento keep their own hours, which can be shorter in winter, and some events close nearby streets. Floods and heat do not close the museum, but some exhibits and cars may be shut for maintenance.
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