'Sacramento (a wonderful town)'

Number 1 all over Europe, in 1972, for 'Middle of the Road'. The best selling song about California EVER, apparently. No, I didn't either.

We went to Sacramento for the Railroad Museum. I've been to plenty, but this was by far the most interesting I have ever visited. Adrian likes everything rail whereas I am interested in the social history aspect. This place excelled at that. Many rail museums are run by dedicated people for whom the hardware is the main interest and, boy does that show sometimes. Very little thought is given to visitors other than 'puffer nutters'. Museums need revenue and the vast majority of potential entrance fees will come from casual visitors or partners of the fanatics. (!). They desperately need to attract more people and I think, that what Sacramento has done, is a perfect example of how to do this. They concentrate very much on how the coming of the railroad opened up the west and changed society for ever, in a very positive way. It is terrific. Definitely the best rail museum ever, in my opinion. Adrian is on the Advisory Board for the National Rail Museum in York and may have his own thoughts on this!

Comments

  1. Angela4 July 2012 at 06:20

    You may want to allow time to visit the Railway Museum in Cranbrook. They have lots of trains there and a variety of different tours for different interests.

    ReplyDelete

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