South Bay Historical Railroad Society, Inc.

09/04/2026

The birth of our museum!
From a San Jose Mercury News Wednesday, July 31, 1985 article:

"Santa Clara station
Historical society hopes to revitalize old depot

Photo Caption: William Trudeau, South Bay Railroad Historical Society member who is leading the restoration planning of the Santa Clara Train Depot, stands in front of the depot as a commuter train approaches. The trains at present make only a brief stop in front of the dilapidated, 121-year-old building, which the society hopes to restore to its original 1880s condition. Plans also include a railroad museum, library and model railroad displays in the depot.

Santa Clara’s commuter railroad depot is the oldest in the state, South Bay rail historians proudly say, but 121 years of use and abuse have turned it into one of the ugliest. However, under a plan still being negotiated by Caltrain and a group of South Bay rail historians, the termite-infested depot will return to its appearance in the 1880s, the warehouses
once filled with fruit sporting a railroad museum; library and model railroad displays. The depot is already on the national register of historic places."

09/03/2026

Come take a look!
https://f.mtr.cool/bcmy182xpm

09/02/2026

Look for fun transit activities near you!

We will have our storytime Sept. 19th for the younger transit fans. We also have some great railfanning off our back deck here in Santa Clara along the Caltrain line!

HAPPY TRANSIT MONTH! This September, we're celebrating the buses, trains, and people who make the wonderful Bay Area transit system we all know and ride.

Find a full list of fun and exciting places to take transit to at ca.transitmonth.org. And track your rides at ridecontest.com for your chance to win prizes!

09/01/2026

09/01/2026

We are open this evening 5-8pm. Come visit our model train layouts!

08/31/2026

A two-way or multi-aspect railway signal and switch lamp, commonly used for train signaling or level crossing gate operations. It has dual opposing lens cowlings/tubes for directional signaling and was used historically on railways to display distinct colored aspects to guide train movement or warn at crossings.

If you are interested in railroad lanterns and other artifacts, give us a visit!

08/29/2026

Visit us for FREE every Tues 5-8pm & Sat 10-4pm and see
2 model train layouts
Train library with a special kids section
Museum
Historic railroad buildings
Historic rail car
Brio table for hands on fun
Railfan off our back deck!

08/28/2026

The end of an era!

Southbound Southern Pacific commute train No. 160 arrives in Santa Clara 7:22 am on June 10, 1985. This was the last day of peninsula commute trains under the operations of Southern Pacific Railroad. The next day, the service was undertaken by Caltrans before later being governed by the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain).

What are your memories of the Southern Pacific commute trains? Did you or someone you know ever take this route? Share your stories with us! How do you think the transition to Caltrain has impacted the community over the years?



Photo by Ted Benson.

08/27/2026

Come look at the trains run on our 2 model train layouts!
We are open Tuesdays 5-8pm and Saturdays 10-4pm.
See you soon!