Sacramento Southern Railroad facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sacramento Southern Railroad |
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Sacramento Southern Railroad #2030 performs some local switching duties on the SSRR line located just south of the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento in December, 2004.
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| Locale | Sacramento Freeport, California; original route was to Walnut Grove |
| Terminus | Freeport, California; original route was to Walnut Grove |
| Connections | Union Pacific Railroad (Freight) |
| Commercial operations | |
| Built by | The original Sacramento Southern Railroad a non-operating subsidiary of the Southern Pacific Company |
| Original gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Preserved operations | |
| Owned by | California State Railroad Museum |
| Operated by | California State Railroad Museum |
| Reporting mark | SSRR |
| Length | 3 miles |
| Preserved gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Commercial history | |
| Opened | 1909 |
| 1912 | Merged with Central Pacific Railroad |
| (?) | Became a part of the SP system |
| Closed | 1978 |
| Preservation history | |
| c. 1978 | Property acquired by the museum |
| (?) | Freight service resumed |
| 1982 | Excursions started |
| Present | In operation |
| Headquarters | California State Railroad Museum at Sacramento |
| Website | |
| Official website: http://www.ssrrsignal.com | |
The Sacramento Southern Railroad is a special kind of train line called a heritage railroad. It's owned by the California State Railroad Museum, which uses it to run fun train rides for visitors.
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Sacramento Southern Railroad: A Fun Ride Through History
The railroad tracks start near the California State Railroad Museum in Old Sacramento. From there, they stretch south along the east side of the Sacramento River's levee.
A Look Back: The Railroad's History
The original Sacramento Southern Railroad company was created in 1903. It was a smaller company that belonged to the larger Southern Pacific Company. The first trains started running on this line in 1909.
The railroad was built between 1906 and 1912. It originally went about 24 miles (39 km) south to a town called Walnut Grove, California, passing through Freeport, California. Once the line to Walnut Grove was finished, the Sacramento Southern Railroad officially joined with the Central Pacific Railroad in 1912.
Later, the tracks were extended even further south to Isleton, California by 1929. By 1931, a three-mile extension reached the Mokelumne River.
What Happens on the Tracks Today
The railroad eventually became part of the bigger SP system. However, in 1978, the SP system decided they no longer needed the line and stopped using it.
Around that time, the California State Railroad Museum started buying parts of the railroad property. By 1982, the museum began offering exciting train rides and excursions for the public.
In recent years, the railroad has also started carrying freight again. It helps local businesses by connecting them to the Union Pacific Railroad system.
Looking Ahead
There are plans to make the railroad even longer. The idea is to expand its operations further south into the beautiful Sacramento River Delta area. This would allow even more people to enjoy rides and see the sights along the river!
