The museum features 21 restored locomotives and railroad cars, some dating back to 1862. The "Sierra Scene" shows a large scale mockup of a construction scene high in the Sierra Nevada representing Donner Pass c. 1867, featuring the locomotive Gov. Stanford. Other exhibits show how the influence of railroads changed American society, influencing travel, commerce and daily life, as well as the lives of railroaders and the diversity of people who work on railroads. Changing exhibits featuring photography, ephemera, and artifacts from the museum's collection, add depth and incidental information to the overall story of railroad history. The museum has an extensive educational program for elementary students from across the region to help them learn about railroad history using re-enactments, costumed docents, and including train and handcar rides. The roundhouse area of the museum features a rotating display of locomotives and equipment belonging to the museum. When not on display, these items are stored and worked on at the nearby Sacramento Railyards in the remaining buildings that were part of the original Southern Pacific Shop complex. A large 3-rail O scalemodel train layout is also located in the museum.
Virginia & Truckee RR 13, "Empire," (before restoration). Its last owner was the Pacific Portland Cement Company in Gerlach, NV, in the 20th century.Virginia & Truckee 13, "Empire," (after restoration), at the California State Railroad Museum. Its restoration includes numerous design elements from the engine's early years in the 1800s.
Adjacent to the main museum building is a reconstruction of the 1870s-era Central Pacific Railroad passenger station and freightdepot on Front Street, which houses historic and contemporary railroad equipment. In early 2011, the interior remained closed to public use, but is occasionally open for special events. Between April and October, the Sacramento Southern Railroad, operated by the museum, takes passengers on a 40-minute, 6-mile (9.7 km) roundtrip route along the Sacramento River on a portion of the Walnut Grove branch of the former Southern Pacific Railroad. The Sacramento Southern Railroad owns the Walnut Grove Branch right-of-way that extends south from Sacramento along the eastern bank of the Sacramento River. Past plans for the excursion ride included expansion on its former right of way to Hood, CA, but were scrapped in favor of a mixed-use paved recreational trail known as the Del Rio Trail project.[2]
In 1992, Railtown 1897 in Jamestown began operating under the museum.
In addition to the rolling stock and exhibits on display, the California State Railroad Museum collects material relating to railroading in the West. The museum's library and archives contain:
Books: The museum's library holds hundreds of books ranging from the modern era to the early days of railroading in the United States. Prominent authors in the library's collections include Lucius Beebe, and Charles Clegg. Topics in these books range from technical specifications, railroad culture, various regional railroad histories, and corporate histories of railroads.
Railroad ephemera: such as informational pamphlets and promotional materials for railroad companies.
Artifacts: examples include signs, pins, and large physical objects relating to working or being involved in the railroad.
Archival Collections: The museum's archival collections contain materials donated to the archive from railroad employees, railroad companies, railfan groups, and others from across the United States.[3]
Virginia & Truckee RR 12, "Genoa," in its 20th-century configuration (e.g., straight stack, round headlight, etc.), before restoration.This is the Virginia & Truckee RR 12, "Genoa," which was built in 1873, after its restoration, which incorporated many of its 1800s design features.
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe 1010 - awaiting restoration to operating condition,[5] a 2-6-2 type built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1901. The locomotive was used in the record breaking 44 hour and 54 minute Walter E. Scott's Scott Special between Los Angeles and Chicago in 1905. It was used on the segment of the trip between Needles, California, and Seligman, Arizona.
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe 5021 - Stored, a 2-10-4 type built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1944.
Northwestern Pacific 112 - Stored, a 4-6-0 type built by ALCO in 1908. Sole surviving NWP steam locomotive.
North Pacific Coast 12North Pacific Coast 12 Sonoma - Cosmetically restored, a 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge4-4-0 type built by Baldwin in 1875. Sole surviving NPC locomotive, and one of only three surviving Baldwin 8/18C class 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge 4-4-0s.
Central Pacific No. 233 - Stored, awaiting restoration. A 2-6-2 tank engine built by Central Pacific's Sacramento Shops in 1882. Donated 2001 by the Pacific Locomotive Association.
Southern Pacific 2467 - Display operable. Restored to operation by members of the Pacific Locomotive Association in 1999, a 4-6-2 type built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1921. On 10-year loan from PLA pending FRA-mandated boiler work.
Southern Pacific 4294 - Cosmetically restored, a 4-8-8-2 type built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1944. Sole surviving "Cab-Forward" locomotive.[9]
Virginia & Truckee 13 Empire - Baldwin-built 2-6-0 type constructed in 1873, cosmetically restored to its original appearance. Mirrors placed around the engine provide museum visitors with an amazing panoramic view of all sides of the locomotive at once.
Virginia and Truckee 18 Dayton - 4-4-0 built by the Central Pacific locomotive shops in Sacramento in 1873. On loan from the Nevada State Railroad Museum
Virginia & Truckee 21 J.W. Bowker - Baldwin-built 2-4-0 switcher constructed in 1875; sole surviving example of this type. On Loan to the Nevada State Railroad Museum.
Nevada Short Line No. 1 - Baldwin-built 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge 2-6-0 (Mogul Type) constructed in 1879; on static display with a few cars and rests above all other trains on an elevated track; last time it was run was in 1939-40 for the Golden Gate International Exposition on daily reenactments of the 1869 Golden Spike ceremony.
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