California State Railroad Museum & Old Sacramento SHP

Help protect history and keep the heritage of railroads alive at one of the most exciting Museums in the United States!

The California State Railroad Museum - Home to 225,000 square-feet of exhibits and beautifully restored railroad cars and locomotives which illustrate railroad history in California and the West dating back to the mid 1860’s. The Museum’s Sacramento Southern Railroad is federally regulated and primarily run and operated by volunteers. Excursion Trains, a 50-minute roundtrip ride along the Sacramento River, run from April through September. Special holiday trains such as the Track or Treat Train and The Polar Express™ Train Ride operate October thru December.

The California State Railroad Museum has a variety of volunteer opportunities that you can participate in! Whatever your skillset, there are many ways for you to be an active and vital member of the California State Railroad Museum Volunteer community:

• History Museum Docent – interact and engage the community by explaining the exhibits and sharing railroad history and stories. With further training, one may participate in school programs, conduct museum tours and other interpretive activities.
• Train Docent – interact and engage passengers before, during, and after the train ride by explaining railroad history and stories while helping to ensure safety on the train. With further training, one may have the opportunity to become part of the engine crew.
• Maintenance of Way – maintain and build track and switches and manage track right of way vegetation control.
• Signals Department – inspect, maintain, and install Grade Crossing Warning Systems and track wayside information systems.
• Car Department – passenger train car inspections, minor maintenance, and maintaining the appearance of train equipment.
• The Polar Express Event (November – December)