Toys, Train Rides, Santa Sightings & More At the California State Railroad Museum This Holiday Season

Source: California State Railroad Museum

With toys, trains and even good ol’ St. Nick, the California State Railroad Museum is sure to capture and spread the spirit of the holidays with visitors of all ages. While coveted tickets to The Polar Express™Train Ride are completely sold out for 2009, there’s plenty more to see and do at North America’s most popular train museum, both inside and out. In fact, the California State Railroad Museum will debut a nostalgia-inducing new exhibit on Monday, November 16, titled "Some Assembly Required," showcasing railroad-themed toys from the Museum’s collection.

Over the three-day Thanksgiving weekend (Friday thru Sunday), the popular "Train Time for Santa" event will take place—complete with festive Santa Steam Train rides—and the 13th Annual Toy Train Holiday Show in the Museum.

Amidst special holiday "Theater of Lights" activities throughout Old Sacramento that same three-day weekend—November 27 thru 29—visitors to the California State Railroad Museum will enjoy "Train Time for Santa." Ride with Santa aboard his very own steam train! Then explore the 13th Annual Toy Train Holiday Show where hobbyists from around the region will proudly display modular and portable toy and model train layouts set up in the Museum’s Roundhouse surrounded by full size locomotives.

Tickets for Santa’s Steam Train—which include complimentary admission to the Museum—are $15 for adults, $7 for youths ages 6-17 and children 5 and under are free. Santa’s Steam Train tickets are available on a first come, first served basis and trains depart hourly from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. from the Central Pacific Railroad Freight Depot at Front and "K" Streets in Old Sacramento.

For Museum admission only (which does NOT include Santa’s Steam Train), regular museum prices are $9 for adults, $4 for youths ages 6-17, and children 5 and under are free.
Opening November 16, the California State Railroad Museum will showcase a special "Some Assembly Required" toy exhibit that is sure to inspire both wonder and delight with a variety of rare, intricate and colorful railroad-themed toys on display. The exhibit, with toys and games from the impressive California State Railroad Museum collection, will be featured through February 20, 2010.

For more information about the "Some Assembly Required" toy exhibit, "Train Time for Santa," the Toy Train Holiday Show or other museum related events, exhibits and activities this holiday season, visit www.californiastaterailroadmuseum.org. For more information about all of the activities throughout Old Sacramento, visit www.oldsacramento.com.