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The Museum of the San Ramon Valley in Danville is offering residents an opportunity to escape the heat this summer in an educational environment and is on track to open its newest exhibit “Totally Trains,” on Saturday.
Set to run through Aug. 18, “Totally Trains” is a popular exhibit the museum typically runs each summer and features a diverse collection of model trains running on two distinct levels throughout the museum.
In addition to the running model trains, tracks will feature carefully designed scenery, bridges, a trestle, tunnel and a village — which will be equipped with a replica of the museum, the former Southern Pacific Depot. Tracks will also include a variety of working equipment used during the era such as a working log loader and other train accessories.
Buildings on the tracks represent a collection of buildings that are found in communities throughout the Tri-Valley. Structures are often donated to the museum from residents and represent buildings that were found along the tracks in Alamo, Danville, San Ramon and all the way to Dublin.
“This year the museum is proud to also be celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad and the driving of the golden spoke,” museum spokesman John Keenan said. “We will have information on the Chinese workers, Native American helpers and Irish workers who helped build the transcontinental railroad. In addition we will have information on the role of women working on the railroads.”
Unlike other exhibits on the transcontinental railroad, the Museum of the San Ramon Valley’s displays will explore the lives of those who built the rails and where they settled down after the work was completed.
Young engineers will also have the opportunity to test out their skills, and load coal into a steam locomotive via a model boiler set up in the museum. Keenan said not only does it provide fun for young visitors, but it is also a great photo opportunity.
The museum is located in the restored Southern Pacific depot, 205 Railroad Ave. in Danville, hours are Tuesdays through Saturdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sundays Noon to 3 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in person, $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, students and children. Members can visit the exhibit for free.
All summer long the museum will be offering a special family passes for $15, which gives families unlimited visits to the exhibit.
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The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is located in the restored Southern Pacific depot, 205 Railroad Ave. in Danville, hours are Tuesdays through Saturdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sundays Noon to 3 p.m. (file photo) -
The Museum of the San Ramon Valley’s popular summer exhibit “Totally Trains” is set to return on Saturday and will run through Aug. 18. (image courtesy Museum of the San Ramon Valley) -
Many buildings on this year’s track will be modeled after those found in the San Ramon Valley. (image courtesy Museum of the San Ramon Valley)
