The amazing California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento is a must-see for anyone with an interest in trains or American history. About the museum, from the California State Parks website…
The California State Railroad Museum (CSRM) in Old Sacramento is the world-class tribute to the role of the “iron horse” in connecting California to the rest of the nation. Our museum features 21 lavishly restored locomotives and cars, some dating back to 1862. There is a full-scale diorama of an 1860s construction site high in the Sierra Nevada as well as a bridge elevated 24 feet above the museum floor.
For little ones, there is a large room upstairs filled with train tables for kids to play with. This is truly a must-visit for anyone with a child in that love-of-train stage.
We’ve been visiting this museum regularly since my son was three. He loves it here! At six, it’s fun to see his interest move away from the Thomas the Train play tables and move into a fascination with the real historic trains themselves. There are several trains for visitors to walk through and experience what train travel may have truly been like earlier in 1900s. The museum provides tons of hands-on exploration that kids love.
Here are a few photos from our visit last week…
Interested in going? The museum is located right in Old Sacramento. Visit the California State Parks website for current hours, prices, and directions… California State Railroad Museum. For even more information about the museum and for detailed information about riding the Excursion Train (Summer Rides, Polar Express, etc), visit the site for the California State Railroad Museum Foundation… www.csrmf.org.
hike.wander.wonder 
I used to live not far from there when I was young…..lots of cool things for kids of all ages!
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Yep, I grew up in Sacramento, too. The area has a lot to offer.
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really? I used to live on the south side, near the zoo. we used to go the zoo all the time when they allowed kids in for free…..cousins lived on Greenback lane and over across the american river…we used to swim in the american river all the time!
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I grew up near the Country Club Plaza area off Watt Avenue… riding our bikes along the American River was a favorite activity!! As was river rafting. 🙂
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Thanks for the reminder about this place. btw: Your collection of pictures is great. How did you format them?
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I use Picasa to tweek my images. If it takes me longer than 30 seconds to modify a photo, then it’s out. 🙂
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Thanks. And the layout? Is that a gallery?
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Now I understand your question! Yes, it’s a gallery that I created in WordPress. I like the mosaic design, especially for posts with lots of flower photos.
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Thanks. My vocabulary was missing this morning. – Lynn
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We took the train from San Jose to Sacramento to visit this amazing museum when our boys were young and at the height of train enthusiasm. It’s an incredible place. I wish everyone could see it.
Nice write up, NM.
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Thanks! It’s a great outing for those of us in the Bay Area, with trains departing from Oakland and Martinez (and, as you say, San Jose.. I didn’t know that!) that deliver us right next door to the California Train Museum. It was a brilliant design to build the museum right next door to the Amtrak station.
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Agreed! I wish we had more attractions up and down the state accessible by train. It’s a relaxing way to get around.
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I’d love to see this … I live in a historic train town and near Roanoke VA, which is even more of one! Love the pictures!
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Everything is more historic on the East Coast. 🙂 It’s interesting how much the building of the train tracks to the west really changed how the region was ultimately developed.
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looks like fun!! love your posts; gives us lots of ideas for when we visit Grandma 🙂
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My parents live in Sacramento, so it’s fun for us to incorporate visits to the train museum (and so many other great, historic places) into our visits there. Enjoy!
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