February 6
The 12th annual Sacramento Museum Day takes place in the Capital City, presented by the Sacramento Association of Museums (SAM) and proudly supported by Umpqua Bank. Twenty-six participating museums (including the California State Railroad Museum) will welcome guests free of charge this Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (all participating museums close at 5 p.m.).  For detailed information about participating sites, free shuttles and more, visit www.sacmuseums.org.

February 20
The California State Railroad Museum and Old Sacramento State Historic Park begin Volunteer Training for spring 2010. Applications are due on January 22 and advance interviews, required for all participants, will be conducted starting January 30. Men and women interested in helping to communicate the West’s fascinating heritage of railroading and the California Gold Rush are invited to contact the Museum anytime to learn more. Since the Museum’s 1976 inception, volunteers have contributed some 2 million hours of service! For additional details or to sign up, call the Museum’s Volunteer Training Coordinator at (916) 324-7593.

March 27
In advance honor of Cesar Chavez Day, enjoy Free Admission to the California State Railroad Museum this Saturday, March 27 only. Tour the culturally significant, photo-documentary exhibition “The Migrant Project: Contemporary California Farm Workers,” and view the accompanying 30-minute documentary film “The Hands that Feed Us.” Also this day only, enjoy two book signing opportunities and guest lectures by the photographer and author, Rick Nahmias, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. The featured book (of the same title as the exhibit) includes the exhibit’s images—complete with oral histories directly from the farm workers—and copies are available for sale via the Museum Store. With bilingual text panels throughout, this exhibit proudly showcases the important and critical role migrant farm workers play in harvesting more than half of the produce consumed by the United States’ population each day. A workforce numbering more than one million strong, the compelling images depict everything from daily work and home life to social issues such as health care and housing. Railroads have long been a primary means of transporting fresh produce from the fields of California to a hungry nation.

April 3-4
Opening weekend for 27th operating season of the Museum’s excursion train service on the Sacramento Southern Railroad! Beginning this weekend, and continuing every weekend through September, experience the sights, smells, and sounds of a real, working steam locomotive as your train rolls along the levees of the Sacramento River. Excursion trains depart Saturdays and Sundays, on-the-hour 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., from the Central Pacific Freight Depot in Old Sacramento near Front and K Streets. Climb aboard for a relaxing 40-minute  trip in the vintage passenger coaches and converted freight cars.  Or upgrade to First Class service on the El Dorado where you will enjoy being treated as a VIP aboard this beautifully restored 1920s lounge-observation car, which offers large picture windows, plush seating and air conditioning!

April 23-24

Lights, Camera, Action! Special “Trains & Tripods” Photo Opportunity & Lighting Seminar Offered April 23 & 24, 2010. For decades, capturing powerful locomotive images has been a favorite pastime for photographers.  And now, the California State Railroad Museum is proud to host “Trains & Tripods,” a two-part program that includes an optional seminar on existing light photography and a photographers-only photo session inside the visually-enticing Museum before it opens to the public for the day. Interested amateur photographers can choose to attend one or both of the activities. Conducted by former Sacramento Bee photographer and Canon USA consultant Dave Henry, the fast-paced and information-packed lighting seminar is scheduled for Friday evening, April 23 from 6:30 - 9 p.m. while the “bring your own tripod” photography opportunity is scheduled for Saturday, April 24 from 7 - 9:30 a.m. To register for the event please click here.

May 8
Celebrate National Train Day at the Museum complete with special exhibits and festivities.

May 28-31 (Memorial Day Weekend)
The Sacramento Jazz Jubilee takes place throughout Sacramento all four days! The Railroad Museum will be open daily during the Jubilee, with jazz musicians performing inside the Museum and complimentary admission offered to Jazz Jubilee badge holders. Special Free Children’s Stage and activity area located just outside Museum (on adjacent “1849 Scene”) during Jubilee, and several event music venues located in close proximity to the Railroad Museum. Steam-powered Sacramento Southern Railroad excursion trains operate Saturday, Sunday, and Monday only, departing hourly 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (regular ticket prices apply). Jazz musicians perform aboard the trains this weekend as well! For more details about the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee, visit www.sacjazz.com.

June (exact date TBA)
The California State Railroad Museum and Old Sacramento State Historic Park begin Volunteer Training for summer 2010. Advance interviews, required for all participants, will be conducted starting in late May or early June. Men and women interested in helping to communicate the West’s fascinating heritage of railroading and the California Gold Rush are invited to contact the Museum anytime to learn more. Since the Museum’s 1976 inception, volunteers have contributed some 2 million hours of service! For additional details or to sign up, call the Museum’s Volunteer Training Coordinator at (916) 324-7593.

Coming this Summer (exact date TBA)
A Film Fest is planned which will showcase a number of movies filmed on location in California State Parks.  This Film Fest is sponsored by the California State Parks Foundation, with special festivities planned.

September 4-6 (Labor Day Weekend) 
“Gold Rush Days,” an annual commemoration of the California Gold Rush, takes place throughout Old Sacramento, with a lively, entertaining and activity-filled Embarcadero Tent City located on the Railroad Museum’s “1849 Scene!” Dirt covers the (usually paved) streets all weekend, and a variety of live entertainment, living history demonstrations, and costumed characters bring Old Sacramento alive with a period flair. Admission to the event is free! (Regular museum admission prices apply.)  Tour authentic Gold Rush businesses, learn about the many people and cultures living here from the late 1840s through the 1860s, participate in hands-on demonstrations and period games, and take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage or wagon. Step aboard for excursion steam-powered train rides on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, departing hourly 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (regular ticket prices apply). For additional details about Gold Rush Days, visit www.discovergold.org.

September 26
Final day of the 2010 operating season for the Museum’s Sacramento Southern Railroad excursion trains. Take a leisurely train ride along the Sacramento River’s levees, pulled by an authentic steam locomotive! For the balance of 2010, trains operate selected special event dates only (see listings below).

October (exact date TBA)
The California State Railroad Museum and Old Sacramento State Historic Park begin Volunteer Training for fall 2010. Advance interviews, required for all participants, will be conducted starting in September. Men and women interested in helping to communicate the West’s fascinating heritage of railroading and the California Gold Rush are invited to contact the Museum anytime to learn more. Since the Museum’s 1976 inception, volunteers have contributed some 2 million hours of service! For additional details or to sign up, call the Museum’s Volunteer Training Coordinator at (916) 324-7593.

October 16-17, 23-24, 30-31
Halloween-themed “Spookomotive” trains decorated for the season depart on-the-hour 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. from the Central Pacific Railroad Freight Depot in Old Sacramento. Regular ticket prices apply. Join our “skeleton crew” for a fun and delightful (but not frightful) 40-minute ride along the Sacramento River! Throughout Old Sacramento, special Fall Harvest Days activities will be in full swing these three weekends, with streets decorated for the occasion. For more information about all of the activities throughout Old Sacramento, visit www.oldsacramento.com.

November 5-6
Trains and Tripods! Join amateur photographers of all skill levels as cameras and tripods are welcomed into the Museum (prior to opening hours) on Saturday morning, November 6. This unique opportunity will allow you to create photographs without worrying about people tripping over your tripod or unexpectedly entering your scene. The program begins Friday, November 5, with an optional seminar on museum photography led by former Sacramento Bee photographer and Canon USA consultant Dave Henry. Registration is $35.00 per day, o r $60.00 for both days. Visit the “What’s New” section on our website to register, or call (916) 445-7373 for more information.

November 6
Enjoy illustrated lectures and book signing this day, presented by celebrated railroad photographer David Plowden and focusing on his newly released book “Requiem for Steam: The Railroad Photographs of David Plowden.” Copies of the book will be available from the Museum Store. See Changing Exhibits schedule for the accompanying exhibit of the same title, also on display this day.

November 26-28 (Thanksgiving Weekend)
“Train Time for Santa” takes place at the California State Railroad Museum! Bring the whole family and enjoy a variety of operating model train and toy train layouts on display Friday through Sunday inside the Museum. It’s a great place to take friends and family over the holiday weekend! Regular Museum admission fees apply, OR take a train ride with Santa AND visit the Museum too—all for one special price! Throughout Old Sacramento starting Thanksgiving Weekend and continuing through Christmas Eve, special Holiday activities will be in full swing with streets and buildings decorated for the season. For more information about all of the activities throughout Old Sacramento, visit www.oldsacramento.com.

December 2-5, 9-12, 16-19
Experience the magic of a train ride based on The Polar Express™, the classic children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg. Come in your jammies and enjoy hot chocolate and cookies while listening as the magical story is narrated once again and comes alive before your eyes! Experience the excitement of the little ones as the train arrives at the North Pole, where Santa Claus is waiting. As the train begins its return trip from the North Pole, get ready! Santa Claus will be coming through handing each child a very special gift! Space is limited to only those who truly believe in the spirit of Christmas.  Trains sell out well in advance—so don’t wait to purchase yours. Check the Museum’s website in August for ticket information.  Tickets go on sale in early October online at www.californiastaterailroadmuseum.org. All Aboard for a magical visit to the North Pole!

ONGOING

Museum open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s)
(Museum Members enjoy free General Admission year-round)
General Admission: $8 adults, $3 youths ages 6-17, ages 5 and under free*

Central Pacific Railroad Passenger Station open occasionally for tours
Guided Tours included with Railroad Museum General Admission
Museum Membership Information: (916) 445-5995

Steam-Powered Excursion Trains operate weekends April-September
(Museum Members enjoy free regular Excursion Train rides year-round)
Train Tickets: $8 adults, $3 youths ages 6-17, children ages 5 and under free*

Trains also operate selected Special Event weekends October-December
(Ticket prices for special trains and events may be higher)
See listings above for dates and additional details 

Museum Store (open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m.): (916) 324-4950
Facility & Event Rentals: (916) 445-2560
Railroad Museum Library: (916) 323-8073

School Group Reservations (ReserveAmerica): Toll Free (866) 240-4655
Reservations are Required for School Group Tours of the Railroad Museum
A variety of Tour and Entry Programs are offered for school groups

Huntington & Hopkins Hardware (museum and store) open Thursday-Sunday 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; free admission
Huntington & Hopkins Hardware: (916) 323-7234
Eagle Theatre (interpretive programs and live performances): (916) 323-6343

24-hour events/info line: (916) 445-6645

*ticket prices, events, times, and equipment subject to change without notice