As a lifetime railroad buff I had long wanted to visit the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento, regarded by many to be the finest of its kind in America.  So at last I was there.  First impression is just how large it really is thanks to its 100,000 square foot main facility.
Once inside first stop was the Museum Theater and a movie entitled "Evidence of a Dream" which illustrated the huge role the railroad played in developing the country and especially the west and finally linking California with the rest of the nation.
This linking of east and west is also covered in a special exhibition and the role played by thousands of Chinese laborers brought to California especially for the building of the railroad through the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
All told the Museum houses over twenty restored locomotives and railroad cars, some from the Golden Age of railroading with Pullman and Dining cars showing the luxury that existed at the time.
One floor is devoted to toy trains which have existed as long as the railroads themselves.  Here there is a huge collection of the trains, stations and landscape, all i set up and ready for use by children.  I recall that my first train was not electric but windup and a few of these were on exhibit as well.  And had me  wondering what has happened to my later electric train set and that of my children.
Photography is permitted throughout the museum and there is indeed much to photograph.  The locomotives vary in size from some used at mines to the giants that pulled the cars over the Sierra Nevada mountains.  Modern diesel electric models are also included.  There is much to see here so allow plenty of time.
During the summer months from April to September there is an Old Sacramento Excursion Train ride available.  The train takes one on a six mile, 45 minute trip along the levees of the Sacramento River.
The California State Railroad Museum is a part of Old Sacramento State Historic Park and located at the corner of Second and I Streets in Sacramento.  Telephone 916 323-9280,  www.californiarailroadmuseum.
If you visit the Railroad Museum you will want to visit Old Sacramento as well since it is adjacent to the Museum.  Historic Old Sacramento dates back to 1848 when gold was discovered at nearby Sutters Fort.  It was also last stop for mail delivered by the Pony Express as well as the terminus for the transcontinental trains that could now cross the entire country.   The original area also was the first home of the California Supreme Court Chambers.
The area now includes fifty three historic buildings and offers everything from dining to shopping and entertainment.  Tours are available to show how the streets of the community had to be raised to ease the flooding that often took place by the adjacent Sacramento River.
For more information on Old Sacramento call 916 808-7059, web www.oldsacramento.com or for visitor information telephone 916 442-7644, web www.sacramento365.com.