For over 70 years, travelers could board a train and ride through the sun-kissed landscape of central California, thanks to the Sacramento Southern Railroad. This region is famous for its farmland, so the 31-mile line was primarily used for freight, yet passenger trains also ran along these rails, connecting the state capital of Sacramento to the little town of Isleton. This was just one tiny piece of the Southern Pacific Railroad, which was once the largest landowner in the Golden State and helped shape the California we know today. Like so many popular lines, the Sacramento Southern Railroad ceased operations in the 1970s, yet it remains a powerful symbol of California’s railroad heritage.
Oh, and you can still ride it. A 6-mile version of its original route remains intact, and an antique locomotive will pull you down the 120-year-old rail route. Thanks to rigorous preservation efforts, the train looks almost exactly as it would have during the 1920s during its luxury-travel heyday. For $18, adults can ride for 45 minutes through the outskirts of Sacramento, imagining a commute in the early 20th century. The tour is also heavily geared toward families: Tickets are $10 for children aged 6 to 17, and younger kids board for free. You could easily add this route to any list of the most scenic train rides in the United States.
A ride through history on the Sacramento Southern Railroad
This modern version of the passenger route belongs to the California State Railroad Museum, a popular destination in the heart of Sacramento. Here, you’ll see realistic models, railroad-themed artwork, and a private rail car from the late 1940s, which reveals just how opulent rail travel could be. Much of the museum is dedicated to the legacy of Chinese laborers who immigrated to the United States in the 19th century and were instrumental in laying track and shaping lines. Another exhibit revolves around the “Golden Spike,” the legendary shaft of metal that marked the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. Note that the Golden Spike was actually driven into the ground at Promontory, Utah, but Californians played a pivotal role in the route’s financing and construction. This is a timely history to revisit, as the U.S. may soon have a three-day transcontinental train route connecting these major cities.
The real excitement begins when you step inside the still-operational train. The scenery is pleasant — mostly views of the Sacramento River and modern development on both banks — though it’ll be harder to take your eyes off the lavish interiors of these restored cars. Admire the inlaid wood of the El Dorado, the bright peach coloring of The French Quarter, or the bird-themed paintings of the Audubon Dining Car, where you can still sit and enjoy a meal as your ride. Small wonder more than 1 million people have taken this train since it began operations in 1984. If you’d like to learn more about this remarkable history before you arrive, Arcadia Publishing has published a photo book, “Sacramento Southern Railroad,” as part of its popular Images of America Series.
A train-centric visit to Sacramento
California’s capital is a beautiful city about 100 miles northeast of the Bay Area. You can land at San Francisco’s International Airport and drive to Sacramento in under two hours, passing parchment-colored hills and farmland as you go. However, in keeping with the railroad theme, you can actually travel from the Bay Area to Sacramento by train, thanks to the Capitol Corridor. Sacramento is also a stop along the Coast Starlight route, which connects much of the West Coast from Portland, Oregon, to Los Angeles, California, and is considered one of the best scenic long-distance train trips to take in the United States…