California State Railroad Museum

The California State Railroad Museum is a railway museum in Old Sacramento, United States, that displays over twenty restored locomotives and cars in exhibition halls and outdoor areas. The collection includes steam engines, diesel units, sleeping cars and freight wagons that visitors can sometimes view from the inside.

A group of railway enthusiasts founded an organization in 1937 that later led to the present museum. The facility opened at its current location in the seventies and has since expanded its collection through donations and purchases from across North America.

The name honors the railway's role in shaping California, and visitors today see carriages from different eras in which travelers once crossed deserts and mountains. Costumed staff explain at the exhibits how conductors, engineers and passengers worked and lived at that time.

Between April and October, a train runs along the Sacramento River that visitors can book for about forty minutes. Most exhibits stand indoors, some are located outside and remain accessible in all weather.

An exhibition shows a construction site at Donner Pass from 1867 on a large scale with the original locomotive Gov. Stanford. Visitors see there tools, rails and rocks that recreate the building of the first transcontinental railroad.

Location: Sacramento

Inception: 1981

Official opening: 1976

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Fee: Yes

Operator: California Department of Parks and Recreation

Address: I Street

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 10:00-17:00; Holidays off

Phone: +19163239280

Website: https://californiarailroad.museum

GPS coordinates: 38.58470,-121.50400

Latest update: December 20, 2025 14:23