In partnership with the Caricature Carvers of America (CCA), the California State Railroad Museum will debut an entertaining new exhibit titled "Whittle Stop: A Cast of Caricatures on a Wild West Train" on Tuesday, September 18, 2012. The fun and fanciful new exhibit is an intricately detailed wooden sculpture of a 1880s era steam train from engine to caboose complete with a handcar, water tower, railroad depot, crossing gate and a cadre of more than 40 humorous characters from all walks of life in the West. Museum visitors of all ages will marvel at the colorful train and ensemble that was whittled, sculpted and meticulously painted by a group of 25 dedicated carvers who spent countless hours working on their labor of love.

The project was conceived at the Caricature Carvers of America Annual Meeting in 2004. What started as a one-year project grew in scope and the finished train carving and accompanying vignettes were completed in 2006. Since that time, the exhibit has periodically been put on special display. However, when the exhibit debuts at the California State Railroad Museum on September 18, it will represent the first time it has gone on public display at a major venue in California. Timed to coincide with its appearance in the Golden State, the Caricature Carvers of America 2012 Annual Meeting will also be held at the California State Railroad Museum in September. As part of the annual meeting activities, Museum visitors will have an opportunity to meet the carvers and enjoy special carving demonstrations on Saturday, September 22 from 1 to 5 p.m.

Once on display at the California State Railroad Museum, the "Whittle Stop: A Cast of Caricatures on a Wild West Train" exhibit will be located in the Lobby Gallery near the entrance and store through September 2013. For more information about this exhibit or other events, activities and exhibits at the Museum, please call (916) 445-6645.