California State Railroad Museum

Changing exhibits featuring photography, ephemera, and artifacts from the museum's collection, add depth and incidental information to the overall story of railroad history.

The museum has an extensive educational program for elementary students from across the region to help them learn about railroad history using re-enactments, costumed docents, and including train and handcar rides.

When not on display, these items are stored and worked on at the nearby Sacramento Railyards in the remaining buildings that were part of the original Southern Pacific Shop complex.

In early 2011, the interior remained closed to public use, but is occasionally open for special events.

Between April and October, the Sacramento Southern Railroad, operated by the museum, takes passengers on a 40-minute, 6-mile (9.7 km) roundtrip route along the Sacramento River on a portion of the Walnut Grove branch of the former Southern Pacific Railroad.

Virginia & Truckee RR 13, "Empire," (before restoration). Its last owner was the Pacific Portland Cement Company in Gerlach, NV, in the 20th century.
Virginia & Truckee 13, "Empire," (after restoration), at the California State Railroad Museum. Its restoration includes numerous design elements from the engine's early years in the 1800s.
Virginia & Truckee RR 12, "Genoa," in its 20th-century configuration (e.g., straight stack, round headlight, etc.), before restoration.
This is the Virginia & Truckee RR 12, "Genoa," which was built in 1873, after its restoration, which incorporated many of its 1800s design features.
Museum interior
North Pacific Coast 12
Southern Pacific#6051 EMD E9 painted in Daylight color scheme