On The Road Again: Sacramento

We've continued our history of visiting state capitols. It's hard to believe we both lived in California for a long time and never visited the capitol. It's a pretty one though not the most impressive (that would be Madison, Wisconsin.)

The Senate Chamber above and the Assembly below.

The building is divided into the historic section and the modern section. The older part of the building is now a museum restored to the time it was was built more than 100 years ago.

The governor's office circa 1906.

An elevator door

Carved staircases and original fixtures

Sacramento is home to a fantastic railway museum. I couldn't believe that it took me longer to go through it than Ed. The state museum covers the history of railways in California.

His favorite engine was this Southern Pacific Cab Forward steam locomotive. There were 256 built in the 1930's and 40's. This is the only one that survives. The cab is in front of the engine. The wheel arrangement is 4-8-8-2. It was a high speed freight hauling locomotive used on the steepest grades in California and Nevada. The cab forward design prevented smoke poisoning for the engineers while going through long tunnels. Great!!!

This 2-6-0 classic locomotive is from the 1870's.

This is our artsy fartsy photo of smokin' mirrors - the 2-6-0 and the cab forward combined. Design by Ed Kibel.

The museum also has restored cars with nostalgic interiors. There's a very luxurious private train car, a mail car, a pullman sleeper, and this dining car with table service from 36 different lines. I remember taking the Chicago Northwestern to Sheboygan to visit my parents. I always went to the dining car for lunch on those trips where I was usually seated with strangers since they always filled every empty seat. I could never understand how the waiters could keep their balance...