February 18, 2012 (11:00 and 3:00) Event -- California State Railroad Museum -- Book signing by Theodore Kornweibel, Jr. author of Railroads in the African American Experience: A Photographic Journey
Professor Ted Kornweibel published this crowning achievement in 2010 after 30 years of research and work in the field of black history. From the book’s dust jacket: “This captivating book takes readers on an illustrated tour of the black railroad experience from slavery to Amtrak. With almost 200 images – many never before published – [he] examines the significant contributions of African Americans to the building, maintenance, operation, and profitability of the American railway system.” Kornweibel will offer PowerPoint presentations at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. after which he will sign copies of his book for the public. For more information, please visit www.csrmf.org or call (916) 445-6645.

February 25 - March 22, 2012 (Various times) -- California State Railroad Museum -- Volunteer Training
The California State Railroad Museum and Old Sacramento State Historic Park begin Volunteer Training for spring 2011. Applications are due on February 7 and advance interviews, required for all participants, will be conducted beginning February 11. 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 9, 2012 - July 27, 2012 (10:00 - 5:00) Exhibit/Presentation and Book Signing on Sunday, March 18 at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. -- California State Railroad Museum -- “Steam: An Enduring Legacy,” the Railroad Photographs of Joel Jensen exhibit.
Although regularly scheduled steam locomotives for American trains were virtually gone by 1960, photographer Joel Jensen’s new book, Steam: An Enduring Legacy, “is a timeless collection of photographs of current steam railroading throughout the American West that evoke this bygone era.” The exhibit features a selection from the 150 dramatic black-and-white images published in the book. A book signing event will be held on March 18, with Jensen giving a presentation to visitors in the CSRM theater and signing personalized inscriptions afterward. For more information, please visit www.csrmf.org or call (916) 445-6645.

March 31 - April 1, 2012 (11:00 – 5:00) Event -- California State Railroad Museum -- Excursion Train Opening Weekend
Opening weekend for 28th 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, 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! For more information, please visit www.csrmf.org, or call (916) 445-6645.

April 10, 2012 – March, 2013 – 100 new labels -- California State Railroad Museum -- Pick Me! Fruit Crate Art & the California Dream – A Whole New Crop of more than 100 fruit crate labels will replace those that were on exhibit for the past year.
The California State Railroad Museum’s exhibit “Pick Me! Fruit Crate Art & the California Dream” is based on the gorgeous fruit and vegetable crate labels collected by the Railroad Museum and the California State Library. Dripping with color, their vibrant hues and often whimsical motifs will draw you in but it’s the story behind the labels that is equally fascinating. Railroads and later the development of refrigerated cars made it possible to ship California’s bountiful harvest to a hungry nation. Along with the produce, it was the crate labels that carried the vision of the “California Dream,” a place where it was always sunny and gardens were always greener. Come join the dream as you drink in this year’s crop featuring the magic of California’s early graphic artists and their alluring art.  For more information, please visit www.csrmf.org or call (916) 445-6645.

May 4 – 5, 2012 (Friday 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. and Saturday 7:00.a.m. – 9:30.a.m.) -- California State Railroad Museum -- Trains and Tripods Event
Join amateur photographers of all skill levels as cameras and tripods are welcomed into the Museum (prior to opening hours) on Saturday morning, May 7. 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, May 4, with an optional seminar on museum photography led by former Sacramento Bee photographer and Canon USA consultant Dave Henry. Registration is $35 per day, or $60 for both days. For more information, please visit www.csrmf.org or call (916) 445-6645.

May 25, 26, 27, 28, 2012 Memorial Day Weekend (11:00 – 5:00) Event -- California State Railroad Museum -- Sacramento Jazz Festival & Jubilee
The 39th annual Sacramento Jazz Festival takes place throughout Sacramento all four days! The California State Railroad Museum will be open daily during the Festival, with jazz musicians performing inside the Museum and complimentary admission offered to Jazz Festival badge holders. Special Free Children’s Stage and activity area located just outside Museum (on adjacent “1849 Scene”) during Jazz Festival, and several event music venues are located in close proximity to the Railroad Museum.  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 Festival, visit www.sacjazz.com. For more information on California State Railroad Museum’s involvement, please visit www.csrmf.org or call (916) 445-6645.

June ? through July ?(various times) -- California State Railroad Museum -- Volunteer Training
The California State Railroad Museum and Old Sacramento State Historic Park begin Volunteer Training for summer 2012. 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.