The museum features 21 restored locomotives and railroad cars, some dating back to 1862. The "Sierra Scene" shows a large scale mockup of a construction scene high in the Sierra Nevada representing Donner Pass c. 1867, featuring the locomotive Gov. Stanford. Other exhibits show how the influence of railroads changed American society, influencing travel, commerce and daily life, as well as the lives of railroaders and the diversity of people who work on railroads. Changing exhibits featuring photography, ephemera, and artifacts from the museum's collection, add depth and incidental information to the overall story of railroad history. The museum has an extensive educational program for elementary students from across the region to help them learn about railroad history using re-enactments, costumed docents, and including train and handcar rides. The roundhouse area of the museum features a rotating display of locomotives and equipment belonging to the museum. When not on display, these items are stored and worked on at the nearby Sacramento Railyards in the remaining buildings that were part of the original Southern Pacific Shop complex. A large 3-rail O scalemodel train layout is also located in the museum.
Adjacent to the main museum building is a reconstruction of the 1870s-era Central Pacific Railroad passenger station and freightdepot on Front Street, which houses historic and contemporary railroad equipment. In early 2011, the interior remained closed to public use, but is occasionally open for special events. Between April and October, the Sacramento Southern Railroad, operated by the museum, takes passengers on a 40-minute, 6-mile (9.7 km) roundtrip route along the Sacramento River on a portion of the Walnut Grove branch of the former Southern Pacific Railroad. The Sacramento Southern Railroad owns the Walnut Grove Branch right-of-way that extends south from Sacramento along the eastern bank of the Sacramento River. Past plans for the excursion ride included expansion on its former right of way to Hood, CA, but were scrapped in favor of a mixed-use paved recreational trail known as the Del Rio Trail project.[2]
In 1992, Railtown 1897 in Jamestown began operating under the museum.
Granite Rock No. 10 (Operating as the excursion train ride for the California State Railroad Museum at Old Sacramento, California) a USATC S100 Class0-6-0T built by Porter in *1942. Occasionally visits other railroads such as the Niles Canyon Railway
Northwestern Pacific 112 - Stored, a 4-6-0 type built by ALCO in 1908. Sole surviving NWP locomotive.
North Pacific Coast 12North Pacific Coast 12 Sonoma - Cosmetically restored, a 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge4-4-0 type built by Baldwin in 1875. Sole surviving NPC locomotive, and one of only three surviving Baldwin 8/18C class 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge 4-4-0s.
Central Pacific No. 233 - Stored, awaiting restoration. A 2-6-2 tank engine built by Central Pacific's Sacramento Shops in 1882. Donated 2001 by the Pacific Locomotive Association.
Southern Pacific 2467 - Display operable. Restored to operation by members of the Pacific Locomotive Association in 1999, a 4-6-2 type built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1921. On 10-year loan from PLA pending FRA-mandated boiler work.
Southern Pacific 4294 - Cosmetically restored, a 4-8-8-2 type built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1944. Sole surviving "Cab-Forward" locomotive.[7]
Virginia & Truckee 13 Empire - Baldwin-built 2-6-0 type constructed in 1873, cosmetically restored to its original appearance. Mirrors placed around the engine provide museum visitors with an amazing panoramic view of all sides of the locomotive at once.
Virginia and Truckee 18 Dayton - 4-4-0 built by the Central Pacific locomotive shops in Sacramento in 1873. On loan from the Nevada State Railroad Museum
Virginia & Truckee 21 J.W. Bowker - Baldwin-built 2-4-0 switcher constructed in 1875; sole surviving example of this type. On Loan to the Nevada State Railroad Museum.
Nevada Short Line No. 1 - Baldwin-built 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge 2-6-0 (Mogul Type) constructed in 1879; on static display with a few cars and rests above all other trains on an elevated track; last time it was run was in 1939-40 for the Golden Gate International Exposition on daily reenactments of the 1869 Golden Spike ceremony.
Diesel locomotives
Southern Pacific #6051 EMD E9 painted in Daylight color scheme
Amtrak 281 - Operational, an EMD F40PH built in April 1978. Only 1 of 3 Amtrak F40PH(R) locomotives preserved.
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe 347C - Operational, an EMD F7 built in 1949. Sole surviving AT&SF F7 locomotive that was not converted into a CF7.
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe 9820 - Stored, an ALCO RSD-15 "Alligator" built in 1959.
Sacramento Northern 402 - Operational, an EMD SW1 built in 1939.
Southern Pacific 1000 - Stored/Awaiting restoration, an EMD SW1 built in 1939, the first diesel fully owned by SP.
Southern Pacific 5208 - Operational, a BLW DRS66-1500 built in 1949.
