The California State Railroad Museum opened to the public in 1976. The Museum?s complex, being visited by more than 500,000 people annually, is currently one of the largest and most popular visitor attractions in Sacramento. It is a world-renowned facility that consists of 6 original and new buildings that cost $30 million to reconstruct. The Museum?s features its primary exhibit building, the Railroad History Museum, using 100,000 square feet of space.

The California State Railroad Museum complex is composed of buildings that feature stimulating exhibits, enthusiastic and well-trained docents, and restored railroad cars and locomotives that help illustrate the railroad history of California and the West. These exhibits help visitors understand how railroads helped the people and the economy as well as the unique culture of California and the West.

Among the displays are the Pullman-style sleeping car, the dining car filled with road china, and a Railway Post Office where visitors can enter. The Museum also participates and hold special events for visitors.