OT: Steam Trains & Railroad Museums

[Pete Masterson]

I can recommend the California Railroad Museum in (Old) Sacramento (at the foot of "J" Street). You'll want to park your rig elsewhere and drive your car to Old Sacramento as parking for a big rig would be quite limited. I believe that they have a tourist steam train -- the web site says it operates every weekend from April through September. Trains leave on the hour (but the web site didn't say how long the trip is ... can't be too long because (1) the abandoned branch line they use doesn't go all that far and (2) a fare of $8 for adults doesn't buy a lot of rail travel.

The museum itself, built in the original Crocker and Hopkins hardware store (well, the _rebuilt_ original store), has over 225,000 square feet of exhibit space. The original Central Pacific Station was opened in 1976 -- and the main complex was opened in 1981 (I was working for Southern Pacific at the time -- 2 blocks away at 401 "I" St.) I was present at the opening ceremonies and as a representative of Southern Pacific helped distributecommemorativebelt buckles, and several other trinkets to the crowd of tourists.

See <http://www.csrmf.org/default.asp> for more details.

Although not especially attractive, Cal Expo (state fairground) has reasonable priced RV spots. (With reasonable considering the price of competing RV parks, etc.) More info:

<http://www.calexpo.com/html/RV_Park.asp>

Other railroad adventures include:

California Western "Skunk" train

<http://www.skunktrain.com/>

A beautiful trip through coastal mountains and redwoods from Willits to Ft. Bragg and return. The name derived from a school-bus like gas-engined rail car used in the early days. The primary tourist trip is behind steam.

The Skunk Train web site has links to other trains operated by the same company:

The Sacramento RiverTrain (diesel) leaves from Woodland (about 15 miles west of Sacramento) for a 32 mile trip lasting 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 hours. Advance reservations suggested.

The Sierra Dinner Train. The Sierra Railroad was formed in 1897 and has offered tourist trips for some years. In 1999 the "dinner train" was established. The Sierra Railroad has been used in countless films where Hollywood needed an antique train. Although the film may claim to be about somewhere else, I've often been able to spot the features of the Sacramento Valley in shots of the trains. The tracks run into the Sierras starting at Oakdale CA, about 1 hour south of Sacramento enroute to Yosemite.

These are but a few of the many train rides in California. The state has a rich history of mainline and shortline railroads.

See <http://www.yrekawesternrr.com/> -- Sadly, the Yreka Western RR has cancelled it's 2009 season.

The Roaring Camp and Big Trees Railroad. Narrow Gauge. See

<http://www.roaringcamp.com/>

In Colorado, I rode the Georgetown Loop RR. Nice narrow gauge, but the steam locomotive was being rebuilt, so we were behind diesel. It's a few miles west of Denver on I-70.

<http://www.georgetownlooprr.com/>

I looked over the Grand Canyon RR -- but it was a little pricy, so we didn't ride it. Leaves from Williams, AZ off I-40 to the Grand Canyon. This was originally an AT&SF line to the canyon.

<http://www.thetrain.com/>

These are all a little north of the route you mention -- but you might want to go out of your way. Enjoy!

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

On Mar 25, 2009, at 4:43 PM, David Brady wrote:

Folks,

My son is nuts over steam locomotives, (okay,
maybe I am too, ). We're on our way to
California and want to spend some time taking
in some steam. Some of the well know places
like Durango and Cumbres aren't open till later
in the season. Does anyone have any recommendations
of must see stops? We'll probably head west on
hwy 20 (Ga, Al, Miss, LA, TX, NM, AZ, CA) on
our way to San Diego.

Thanks,
David Brady
'02 LXi, NC