South Bay Historical Railroad Society, Inc.

South Bay Historical Railroad Society, Inc. The SBHRS maintains a full museum and 2 operating model railroad displays in the old Southern Pacific Santa Clara Freight Depot (Newhall Yard).

Are you interested in model railroad equipment? Check out our listings on ebay!All proceeds fund the museum, maintaining...
06/02/2026

Are you interested in model railroad equipment? Check out our listings on ebay!

All proceeds fund the museum, maintaining the historic buildings and the model railroad layouts.

This evening is a great time to come see some trains! We are open 5-8pm today.See you soon!
06/02/2026

This evening is a great time to come see some trains! We are open 5-8pm today.
See you soon!

We are open today 10-4pm. Come visit our model train layouts and museum in our historic depot!
05/30/2026

We are open today 10-4pm. Come visit our model train layouts and museum in our historic depot!

Until 1864, travel between San Francisco and San Jose was by stagecoach or steamship, a time-consuming and expensive tri...
05/29/2026

Until 1864, travel between San Francisco and San Jose was by stagecoach or steamship, a time-consuming and expensive trip. Upon completion to Mayfield (south Palo Alto today), daily passenger service from San Francisco began October 18, 1863 on the San Francisco & San Jose Railroad. The railroad was completed to San Jose on January 16, 1864. By 1870, the SF & SJ was absorbed into the Southern Pacific Railroad, which owned and operated the railroad for more than a century. Threatened in later years with declining ridership, the railroad came under public agency management, first by the California Department of Transportation in 1980, when the railroad was renamed "CalTrain,” and then by the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board in 1992 and operated as "Caltrain". Caltrain is the oldest continuously operating passenger railroad in the West.

Prior to the railroad being built, paddle wheel boat service was available part of the way and stage coach service was available but it took 9 hours to get between San Francisco and San Jose and cost $32 which was a lot of money at the time. Once the railroad was built it took 2 hours and 20 minutes and cost 10 cents.

If you like history and trains, give us a follow! Photos and data from links below.

More historical information:
https://f.mtr.cool/eeyqgceotm
Caltrain 150 year documentary: https://f.mtr.cool/fupefolfsf
https://f.mtr.cool/eskmzvvdqr

We invite you to become a member if you enjoy-history-trains-museums & artifacts-model trains-layout building and mainte...
05/28/2026

We invite you to become a member if you enjoy
-history
-trains
-museums & artifacts
-model trains
-layout building and maintenance
-putting on events
-and meeting new people!

https://f.mtr.cool/vhczvgpuhr

We are open this evening 5-8pm. Come visit our model train layouts!
05/26/2026

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

Looking for space to rent? 🌟Look no further! We offer a fantastic meeting space that's perfect for individuals, organiza...
05/26/2026

Looking for space to rent? 🌟

Look no further! We offer a fantastic meeting space that's perfect for individuals, organizations, and companies eager to host gatherings or events in a truly unique and memorable setting. Our versatile space accommodates 12-100 people, whether it's for a single day or multiple-day events.

Discover more on our webpage: https://f.mtr.cool/wyqqmryegf

🇺🇸 Today, we pause to honor the courageous military personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country....
05/25/2026

🇺🇸 Today, we pause to honor the courageous military personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

📷: Locomotive 4014 "Big Boy" in Portola, CA April 7, 2026 by Cydney George-Abatecola

Typically used in sets of three, this primary track battery produced 1 volt and was self charging. Its function was to p...
05/25/2026

Typically used in sets of three, this primary track battery produced 1 volt and was self charging. Its function was to provide low voltage to the rail in a given signal block. When a set of train wheels entered the block's rails, they created a shunt (voltage drop) which dropped the corresponding track relay. The signal control relay is operated by the track relay.

Address

1005 Railroad Avenue
Santa Clara, CA
95050

Opening Hours

Tuesday 5pm - 8pm
Saturday 10am - 3pm

Telephone

+14082433969

Website

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