Stretching over 22 miles long, the Western Railway Museum considers the historic Sacramento Northern main line to be the largest artifact in our collection. Restoration and preservation of this artifact has been a focus of volunteer efforts since the line was acquired almost 30 years ago. These efforts have paid off with over five miles of high-quality track and overhead wire electrification where the museum operates today. The Destination Molena project will allow the operation to continue even farther to the south from the current terminus.
Right now the focus of the volunteer crews is on repairing the wooden trestle at Birds Landing. Over 100 years old, this bridge is getting much needed attention replacing deteriorated timbers and correcting other deficiencies. The volunteer crews are working regularly on weekends, and are closing in on the home stretch of this element of the work. Further work will be needed for tie replacement, rail joint rehabilitation, drainage, and erecting the overhead line poles and wire.
The museum is fortunate to have skilled volunteers who can perform many of these tasks, but it takes money to provide the materials and equipment to do the work. Can you help restore and preserve our largest artifact? Please donate today to the Destination Molena fund.
