The California State Railroad Museum interprets the role of the “iron horse” as it connected California to the rest of the nation. Exhibits show how railroads and the availability of travel change the landscape in America,. Great museum!
- The Golden Spike – one of the greatest technological achievements of the 19th century, the completion of the first transcontinental railroad across the United States.
- An 8ft. by 10ft. portrait of the Golden Spike ceremony with Leland Standford, center. He was the former governor, later senator from California, who established Stanford University as a memorial to his only child. He made his money in the Gold Rush, wineries and horses. President of Central and later South Pacific Railroad Companies.
- The historic 4294 had a cab forward design, to avoid conductors inhaling engine fumes.
- Political cartoon from 1869, showing the importance of the transcontinental railway.
- Luxury dining cars from the Santa Fe Railroad in the 1930’s.
- A conductor right out of central casting!
- The Railway Mail Service revolutionized the way mail was processed by sorting mail aboard moving trains. Mail hooks grabbed pouches of mail without stopping the train.
- Thomas the Train! Grams and Captain Grandpa have friends in high places.
- A Lionel train set to bring out the kid in all of us.
- Mike worked for several years on the Rock Island Railroad in Illinois. He felt right at home here.
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