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We were in Sacramento a day our daughter had to work so my husband and I entertained ourselves quite handily at the California Railroad museum there. It is a lovely museum worth going out of your way for.
It turns out Sacramento was where the Transcontinental Railroad was born, and hence this museum is here. There is a short documentary film, lots of trains, many of which you can go in and discuss what would go on there with a docent. Our favorites of those were the Pullman car, the dining car (complete with magnificent china collection), and the best for me, the mail car. We learned a lot and had a great time. It is amazing that the train system worked so well before computers– check out that intense slide rule below– and that everything ran smoothly coordinated down to the second. It is also inspiring that the railroads employed a whole spectrum of peoples, mixing races, genders, and economic brackets seamlessly and harmoniously under one objective.
I should also mention that upstairs there is a toy train collection to blow your mind, if you are into that. I was so busy watching delighted children of all ages there that taking any photos of that never occurred to me. You’ll have to see the toy train exhibit for yourself. It is because of this visit that I was inspired with that previous blog post of train books we’ve enjoyed…
So if you are in the area, don’t miss this interesting museum. It is especially perfect for families, homeschooling or otherwise. Check out my photos in this post for a virtual taste of the place.
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2 Comments
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Fabulous pictures Polly. Anthony would love this place. When we lived in Belfast he would take his lunch out to the local train museum and just hang out beside those beasts. I can remember as child catching the steam train along the coast to our holiday cottage and jumping out of the carriage so that I could climb up to the bridge over the tracks and have the steam envelope me as it chugged off to the next station. The painting on the wall of the engine bursting through the bricks is priceless and so astounding. My apologies for not responding recently to all your awesome pictures. As always they bring beauty and joy into my day. I have just been fiercely busy lately. Much love and gratitude.
Deb-
Author
Great to hear from you and I love this image of you surrounded by steam! And yes, this museum is worth the afternoon devoted to it.
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