California State Railroad Museum

10/13/2026

Homeschool Day is almost here! 🚂📚

On October 16th, the California State Railroad Museum welcomes Homeschool students and their families for fun and educational activities.

Activities Include:
- Learning about railroad history and
the telegraph
- Docent Presentations
- Make your own gold spike
- AND MORE

You must register in advance to get the low admission price of $5 for a group of four.

Visit this link for registration: https://www.californiarailroad.museum/events/homeschool-day/222286

See you there!!

10/12/2026

For middle school students - our final Loco Lab of 2026 is almost here!

Draw, carve, mold, and cast! In Loco Lab: Molds and Patternmaking, students will discover the history of the Patternmaker’s Shop and step into the roles of a draftsman, a patternmaker, and foundry crewmember.

Only a few seats are left! Sign up for our newsletter for future updates on Loco Lab 2027 using the following link: linktr.ee/csrm

Don’t miss out on joining Loco Lab!

10/10/2026

Giant pistons, wheels, and axles drive the marvelous locomotives we see today. At high speeds, these gigantic wheels can produce heat past 1,000°F from the friction of all the moving parts- causing damage, fires, runaway trains, and safety hazards. So how do we cool them?

For Today in History, meet Elijah McCoy. The inventor of what we call "The Automatic Lubricator" who passed away today in 1929. This allowed large mechanical systems to stay cool and move with ease via an oil drip application for moving parts. Before this, trains had to frequently stop to cool the parts down. We see and use this on steam engines to this day.

McCoy's "Automatic Lubricator" worked so well and was so popular that people made cheap knock-offs in attempts to imitate the real thing! This led engineers to ask for the "Real McCoy", thus becoming a common term in the industry.

Being born in Ontario, Canada to parents who were previously enslaved, McCoy faced severe racial barriers. Through perseverance, he set off to study mechanical engineering via apprenticeship at The University of Edinburgh in Scotland, and went on to earn 57 patents!

Have you heard of or used the "Real McCoy" phrase? Let us know!

10/08/2026

Homeschool Day is almost here!

The California State Railroad Museum welcomes Homeschool students and their families for fun and educational activities.

Learn about the railroad and the telegraph. Make your own gold spike, design your own railroad china AND MORE.

There will also be gold panning next door at the Sacramento History Museum.

You must register in advance to get the low admission price of $5 for a group of four.

Link in bio or at https://www.californiarailroad.museum/events/homeschool-day/222286 for more information!

See you there!!

09/03/2026

For middle schoolers – this hands-on workshop has a spark of fresh, new energy! 🔋

In Loco Lab: Circuits and Railroad Signals, explore the modern railroad signal through electricity. Learn cool facts, tour the Sacramento Southern Railroad, and build your own electrical circuits using real circuit components.

Seats are available NOW! Register and find more info at the link in bio or at www.californiarailroad.museum/education/loco-lab. Don’t miss out!

08/12/2026

Calling all 6th-9th graders! 👋 Join us for an exciting two-hour, hands-on workshop at the California State Railroad Museum.

🔎Explore science, technology, engineering, and math through the world of trains and railroads!🚂

• Time: 1pm - 3pm
• Where: Stanford Gallery at the California State Railroad Museum (111 I Street, Sacramento)
• Cost: $15 per participant

⚠️Space is limited! Reservations are open for the August 23 workshop. Reservations open for future dates soon.

More info & registration at link in bio (or www.californiarailroad.museum/education/loco-lab)

Located in Old Sacramento, the California State Railroad Museum is regarded as North America’s railroad museum. Home of the Polar Express.

08/11/2026

Are you a K-12 Teacher? 🏫 Join us for Teacher Open House to learn about educational programs and field trips from multiple Sacramento museums. (Full list of field trip sites below!)

W**e and snacks will be provided. 🍷 RSVP to be entered into a raffle for a free membership to the California State Railroad Museum. (Must be present to win.)

📆Friday, August 28
🕰️6pm - 7:30pm
🏛️California State Railroad Museum

Learn about Field Trips for your classes to the following places:

California Museum
California Automobile Museum
California State Capitol Museum
California State Railroad Museum
Crocker Art Museum
Effie Yeaw Nature Center
Leland Stanford Mansion SHP
Sacramento Children's Museum
Sacramento History Museum
Sacramento Zoo
State Indian Museum
Sutter's Fort State Historic Park

RSVP at link in bio or at https://qrco.de/bgwiUw

➡️ This event is designed for teachers, school administrators, or other individuals looking to book a K-12 school field trip this year. Attendees must be affiliated with a K-12 school.

07/14/2026

Middle Schoolers - looking for a way to beat the heat and have fun at the California State Railroad Museum? ☀️ Loco Lab is for you!

Loco Lab: Physics in Locomotion pairs fun activities with epic train tech. Arrive with curiosity + inspiration. Leave with a new way to see the Museum and fun STEM facts to share with family and friends.

Seats are still available! Register and find more info at www.californiarailroad.museum/education/loco-lab. Join us at the Loco Lab!

07/07/2026

Middle schoolers – a NEW interactive adventure awaits you THIS July at the California State Railroad Museum!

Join us for hands-on activities, fun STEM facts and special train spotlights with Loco Lab: Physics in Locomotion. Don’t miss your chance to explore, create, and discover!

Date: Sunday, July 26
Time: 1:00PM-2:30PM
Tickets: $15 (includes Museum admission for student + one adult)

This workshop is a place for knowledge and creativity to shine 🌟 Sign up for Loco Lab today!

More info and registration at link in bio or at www.californiarailroad.museum/education/loco-lab

Located in Old Sacramento, the California State Railroad Museum is regarded as North America’s railroad museum. Home of the Polar Express.

04/29/2026

🎶 Mark your calendars for May 9!

Join us for Tracks of Tradition: Music, Dance and Heritage in Motion — a multisensory concert experience included with museum admission. The Purple Silk Youth Orchestra returns by popular demand, and this year the Chinese Folk Dance Association joins for an unforgettable celebration of culture, heritage, and history.

🥁 11:30–12:15 | Interactive pop-up performances — get up close with traditional Chinese instruments and the student musicians

🎵 1:30–2:30 | Main concert in the Roundhouse featuring the and

Perfect for the whole family! Kids and adults alike will love the live music and dance performances while exploring the Museum. All included with the price of admission.

More info at www.californiarailroad.museum/purplesilk.