SAN FRANCISCO AND THE BIG FOUR
The Big Four restaurant is more than a verbal homage to the Big Four railroad barons. The restaurant sits on the Nob of a Hill that was once home to the industrialists who helped link the west coast to the east by way of the transcontinental railroad.
Railroads were fundamental to California's economic development, and the Bay Area was home not only to vast amounts of railroad wealth, but also to its own interwoven system of trains, trolleys and cable cars, many of those lines now relegated to historical photographs.
If you're visiting for the first time, or just beginning to explore the modern and historical tracks, there are a variety of resources around the Bay, offering glimpses into California's rail history.
BAY AREA RAILROAD MUSEUMS
San Francisco Railway Museum
77 Steuart Street
San Francisco CA 94105
Telephone: (415) 974-1948
See location on San Francisco Museum Map
The San Francisco Railway Museum is but a niche of a museum just around the corner from the San Francisco Ferry Building. It's small in space -- but rich in San Francisco rail history. The shop offers unique posters, rail-oriented DVDs, t-shirts, and books about the rails. The staff is helpful and knowledgeable, and the Museums in Motion program provides information on the various historic cars running along today's F-Line. Visiting the museum and shop is free.
Cable Car Barn and Museum
1201 Mason Street
San Francisco, CA 94108
Tel: (415) 474-1887
See location on San Francisco Museum Map
The Cable Car Barn and Museum is an imperative for newcomers to San Francisco's cable car transit. Visitors to the museum can view the actual, operating sheaves -- the cogs of the system, running the cables under San Francisco's streets. The museum has a variety of historical displays and a gift shop. And best of all, it's free.
Niles Canyon Railway
In Fremont and Sunol, California
See map for boarding locations
Niles Canyon Railway is a living history museum, operating historic railroad equipment. The original Niles Canyon rail link opened shortly after the gold spike ceremony in Utah in 1869. Today, the Niles Canyon Railway operates train rides throughout the year (dates specified at the website). And they offer a special holiday Train of Lights that runs through the month of December, again on specified days. You can also charter a train for special occasions. (Holiday tickets should be purchased well in advance, since they tend to sell out.)
Niles Depot Museum
36997 Mission Boulevard
Fremont, California
Tel: (510) 797-4449
At the time of this writing, the depot was closed due to relocation. Please check directly for current information. The museum focuses on early railroads of Fremont, Newark and Union City. You'll find photographs, rail artifacts and books, as well as videos available for viewing.
South Bay Historical Railway Society
And the Edward Peterman Museum of Railroad History
1005 Railroad Avenue
Santa Clara, CA 95050
Tel: (408) 243-3969
Located in the historic Santa Clara Depot, the Edward Peterman Museum of Railroad History offers a variety of railroad artifacts, including a signaling display, original right-of-way railroad maps, and rail-related items from former railroad employees. At this writing, the museum was open one day a week, Tuesday, from 6p to 9p. Be sure to check directly with the museum before visiting.
Western Railway Museum
5848 State Highway 12
Suisun City, CA 94585
Tel: (707) 374-2978
The museum operates authentic, restored trains with two options for visitors: a 15-minute, mile long streetcar ride on the museum grounds, and a 50-minute ride on interurban cars that cover a restored main line of the Sacramento Northern Railway. The museum also features large and small railroad artifacts, including more than 50 historic cars. The Western Railway Museum is open on Saturdays and Sundays. Check the venue's website for current hours and additional information.
BAY AREA MODEL RAILROAD MUSEUMS
Golden State Model Railroad Museum
900-A Dornan Drive
At Miller-Knox Regional Shoreline
Point Richmond, CA 94801
Tel Recording: (510) 234-4884
On display are layouts built by the East Bay Model Engineers Society. Now more than 20 years old, the Golden State Model Railroad Museum attracts visitors of all ages to see its model trains which run on Sundays from April to December (Noon-5p). Hours and dates are subject to change. Always check with the venue in advance of your visit.
Walnut Creek Model Railroad Society
2751 Buena Vista Avenue (off Geary Road)
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Tel: (925) 937-1888
WCMRS operates the HO-scale Diablo Valley Lines Railroad on a 54x32-foot layout, with more than 4,300 feet of hand-laid track. See the website for the exhibition schedule and photo gallery of the layout.
If your model railroad is open to the public, and you'd like it included in this list, please feel free to e-mail details and information to sanfrancisco.guide@about.com
RAILROAD MUSEUMS, FARTHER AFIELD . . .
Check out the Western Pacific Railroad Museum in Portola -- in Feather River Canyon, near Portola and Truckee.
In Sacramento, visit the California State Railroad Museum at Second and "I" Street in Old Sacramento.
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown (east of Stockton), offers a glimpse into both railroading and film history. Its historic trains have appeared in hundreds of Hollywood productions from The Virginian to Back to the Future Part III.