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Research With Us

The Library & Archives is one of North America's foremost research collections on railroad history and technology. Our holdings include archival documents, publications, photographs, sound and video recordings, and more.


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Search the Catalog

Explore our online catalog to access California and US railroad history. Browse publications, maps, photos, timetables, menus, & more.

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Contact Us

[email protected]

(916) 323-8073

Email Us
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Our Lives Are Made
of Railroad Stories

This digital exhibit give you a peak into our extensive collections and efforts to help preserve our shared railroad heritage.

View the Exhibit

Who We Are

The California State Railroad Museum Library & Archives' non-circulating collection is one of North America’s foremost research collections on railroad history and technology as well as the California State Park System’s only professionally staffed, public research library and archives. It not only supports the Museum’s mission to tell the stories of the railroad through the stories of people but also enables scholarly research that is integral to the Museum’s interpretation, education and exhibit preparation functions.

Documentary collections include archival, published, graphic materials and media pertaining to railroad history and technology. The Library & Archives also maintains sound recordings, original and archival motion picture film and video recordings on subjects pertinent to railroad history and technology.

Learn More About the Library & Archives

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Guidelines & What To Expect

  • Sign in and register at the reference desk upon arrival

  • Coats and bags must be checked-in

  • No food or drinks permitted

  • No pens, only pencils or electronic devices

  • Camera usage requires staff approval

  • Library and archival material never leaves the Research Room

  • Reduce noise out of respect for researchers

  • Follow all staff instructions regarding care and handling of material

  • Staff reserves the right to deny reproductions based on condition and copyright status

  • Return all material to its original location

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Forms & Fee Structures

Access the forms needed for your research in our Library & Archives here.

For these forms to work properly, please download them to your desktop and use the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader to fill them in. A free version of Adobe Reader can be found at https://get.adobe.com/reader/

These forms will not function properly when opened from your web browser and your data will not be saved nor submitted.

Reproduction Request Form
Permission to Publish Form
Fee Structure - Reproductions
Fee Structure - Permission to Publish
Collection Donation Questionnaire

All duplication requests are subject to California State Railroad Museum Library & Archives staff approval. An item is reproduced only if its condition is adequate to withstand the process. For the protection of the materials, the Library does not allow self-service duplication. We support research and publication of materials, but regret that we are obligated to recover costs, and cannot underwrite duplication.

Orders may be submitted in person, by email to [email protected], or delivered to CSRM Library & Archives, 111 "I" St., Sacramento, CA 95814.