California State Parks Logo

For Immediate Release

May 31, 2023

Contacts:

John Fraser, 916-215-5148

California State Parks Capital District

john.fraser@parks.ca.gov

Tim Schroepfer, 916-324-8859

tschroepfer@csrmf.org

California State Railroad Museum Foundation

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California State Parks and the California State Railroad Museum Foundation are investing a combined $1.8 million toward the replacement of approximately 1,000 feet of mainline south of Capitol Mall along the Old Sacramento Waterfront. The upcoming repairs are needed due to deteriorating track conditions. This public works project is being contracted and managed by construction professionals out of California State Parks Northern Service Center.

The repair project is expected to start in early June and finish in September, just in time to resume fall favorite experiences that include Track or Treat and The Polar Express™ train rides that take place on the Sacramento Southern Railroad each fall and winter.

“In an effort for the section of track to be repaired and fully operational in time for the busy holiday season, both California State Parks and the California State Railroad Museum Foundation are eager to move forward with the construction project as soon as possible,” said John Fraser, District Superintendent, California State Parks Capital District. “New rail-related offerings will be available for the community to experience and enjoy during the interim period when excursion trains will not be running, with details announced at a later date.”

2023 marks the 40th consecutive year of weekend excursion train rides on the Sacramento Southern Railroad proudly offered by the California State Railroad Museum & Foundation. Once excursion train rides resume in the fall, guests will once again be able to delight in the sights, smells and sounds of an authentic, historic locomotive as it rolls along the levees of the Sacramento River for a six-mile, 50-minute roundtrip excursion. Appealing to all ages, the experience offers guests the chance to enjoy train travel from an earlier era.

For periodic construction updates and/or more information about the California State Railroad Museum & Foundation, please visit www.californiarailroad.museum.

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California State Parks provides for the health, inspiration, and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Learn more at www.parks.ca.gov.
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About the California State Railroad Museum Foundation
The mission of the California State Railroad Museum Foundation (CSRMF) is to generate revenue and awareness on behalf of its destinations, while supporting the preservation, interpretation, and promotion of our railroad heritage. The Foundation provides funding for ongoing support of numerous programs, both at the museum's Old Sacramento location and at the historic park in Jamestown, Calif. For more information, please visit www.californiarailroad.museum