South Bay Historical Railroad Society in Santa Clara, California
Depot museumFreeOpen Tuesday evenings and Saturdays
The South Bay Historical Railroad Society keeps the Santa Clara Depot, built in 1863 and once the oldest continuously operating depot west of the Mississippi, open as a free railroad museum with operating model layouts beside an active line.
- Depot built in 1863
- On the National Register
- Free admission
- Two model railroad layouts
- 1926 interlocking tower
- Governor's Award for preservation
South Bay Historical Railroad Society at a glance
- Hours
- Tuesday 5 pm to 8 pm and Saturday 10 am to 4 pm (per the society's site; city listing differs, so confirm)
- Admission
- Free
- Plan for
- About 1 to 2 hours
- Best for
- Model train fans, rail history buffs and Caltrain riders
- Best ages
- Ages 3 and up
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Look inside the book
Taking the kids to South Bay Historical Railroad Society? Bring Rally along.
In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Santa Clara.
Rally Takes the Train
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Redwood walls, a carload of pears and 25,000 volunteer hours
The San Francisco and San Jose Railroad built the Santa Clara depot in late 1863 as one of two way stations between its namesake cities. The first passenger building measured just 24 by 50 feet and stood on the east side of the tracks, and regular through service to San Francisco began on January 17, 1864. When the transcontinental railroad was finished, a carload of pears from this depot became the first shipment of fresh fruit sent from California to the eastern states, in October 1869.
The Southern Pacific absorbed the line in 1870. In 1877 the passenger depot was moved across the tracks and joined to a freight house built about a decade earlier, and because so much farm produce was moving through Santa Clara, the freight house was stretched to its present 32 by 160 feet. The whole complex is board and batten, built of clear heart redwood milled from coast range trees. It served passengers for well over a century and was the oldest continuously operating depot west of the Mississippi until its ticket office closed in May 1997.
The South Bay Historical Railroad Society signed a lease with Caltrans in 1985 to renovate and preserve the depot. Working with donations and volunteer labor, members put in more than 25,000 hours and finished the exterior restoration in 1990, earning a Governor's Award for Historic Preservation. In 1996 the society and the City of Santa Clara won a federal transportation enhancement grant and began restoring the nearby interlocking tower and two maintenance-of-way buildings. The depot is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Artifacts, operating layouts and a signal tower
The museum has three parts: the historic buildings themselves, a collection of railroad artifacts, and operating scale model railroads. Walk through the depot and freight house to see the redwood construction up close, then spend time at the two model railroad layouts, which the city describes as museum grade. Members also have access to an extensive library of railroad books and videos.
Next door stands the two-story Santa Clara Interlocking Control Tower, built in 1926 and placed in service in the fall of 1927. Its upper floor holds a General Railway Signal Company Model 2 electromechanical interlocking machine that controlled switches and signals from the north end of the Santa Clara yard to the junctions for San Francisco and Oakland, around the clock for 65 years. The depot still sits on the active Caltrain line, so visitors can watch trains from the back deck or even catch one up or down the Peninsula. The society notes that its open house events offer extra tours.
Don’t miss
- Santa Clara Interlocking Control TowerOne of only two unmodified Harriman Standard No. 4 towers still standing in California, in use from 1927 until July 17, 1993.
- GRS Model 2 interlocking machineThe lever machine on the tower's upper floor once set the switches and signals for the junction tracks to San Francisco and Oakland.
- The redwood freight houseEnlarged to 160 feet long to handle the valley's farm freight, built of clear heart redwood from local trees.
- The model railroad layoutsTwo operating scale layouts that volunteers run during open hours.
- The back deckA spot to sit and watch Caltrain and other trains pass the oldest part of the line.
Model trains inside, real trains outside
Kids tend to head straight for the operating model railroads, then out to the deck to wait for the next real train on the Caltrain line. Admission is free and the building is compact, so a visit can be as short or long as little attention spans allow. For a bigger adventure, families can ride Caltrain from the station next door.
Plan your visit: tips for South Bay Historical Railroad Society
- Hours differ between the society's site and the city's listing, so check sbhrs.org or call (408) 243-3969 first.
- Arrive by Caltrain: the museum is right on the line.
- Ask about open house dates for extra tours.
- Join the society to use its railroad library.
The society that saved Santa Clara's depot
The South Bay Historical Railroad Society has cared for the depot since its 1985 lease with Caltrans, restoring it with donations and tens of thousands of volunteer hours. It worked with the City of Santa Clara to restore the tower. Visitors can help by joining as a member, volunteering on the layouts or buildings, or donating.
More South Bay rail history
In San Jose, about 6 miles away, the History San José Trolley Barn is an easy second stop. The Niles Canyon Railway in Sunol is about 17 miles north, and Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton is about 22 miles over the hills. Browse every train museum in California for more.
- California Trolley and Railroad CorporationSan Jose, CA · about 6 mi
- History San José Trolley BarnSan Jose, CA · about 6 mi
- Niles Canyon RailwaySunol, CA · about 17 mi
- Felton Covered Bridge / railroad-history exhibitsFelton, CA · about 22 mi
- Roaring Camp RailroadsFelton, CA · about 22 mi
- Santa Cruz Railroad Museum / historic railroad exhibitsSanta Cruz, CA · about 27 mi
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
A depot like Santa Clara's was the place where travelers first met the crew. I picture a conductor stepping down onto that old redwood platform with a hand held out, just like Mr. Conductor in his blue uniform does for Rally in our book. That small kindness is the heart of the story my mom imagined. If your kids are just starting to read, our list of train books for toddlers is a gentle place to begin.
Free for train families
Print the Rally coloring pages before you go
Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.
Get the free coloring pages
A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)More for train families
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- Train museums in every state: search by town or near you
- Christmas train rides in California
- Halloween train rides in California
- Every Amtrak route with kids
Work or volunteer at South Bay Historical Railroad Society?
We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.
Sources
Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.
Santa Clara Depot and SBHRS: 20 questions answered
Where is the Santa Clara Depot railroad museum?
The South Bay Historical Railroad Society's museum is in the historic Santa Clara Depot at 1005 Railroad Avenue, Santa Clara, California 95050. It sits right on the Caltrain line, so you can arrive by train. The phone number is (408) 243-3969.
What are the South Bay Historical Railroad Society hours?
As of October 2026, the society's own website lists Tuesday evenings from 5 pm to 8 pm and Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm. The City of Santa Clara's listing shows slightly different times, Tuesdays 6 pm to 9 pm and Saturdays 10 am to 3 pm, so check sbhrs.org or call before you go.
How much does it cost to visit the Santa Clara Depot museum?
Admission is free, as of October 2026, according to the City of Santa Clara and the society's listings. The South Bay Historical Railroad Society is volunteer run, so donations and memberships help keep the depot, tower and model layouts in good shape.
How old is the Santa Clara Depot?
The San Francisco and San Jose Railroad built the Santa Clara depot in late 1863, and through passenger service to San Francisco began on January 17, 1864. The freight house was added about a decade later, and in 1877 the passenger depot was moved across the tracks and attached to it.
Is the Santa Clara Depot the oldest depot in California?
The City of Santa Clara says it was the oldest continuously operating railroad depot west of the Mississippi until its ticket office closed in May 1997, and the National Park Service calls it the oldest operating depot in California. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
What is there to see at the South Bay Historical Railroad Society?
The museum has three parts: the historic depot buildings, a collection of railroad artifacts, and operating scale model railroads, including two model layouts. Outside is the 1926 Santa Clara Interlocking Control Tower, and a back deck overlooks the active Caltrain line.
Does the Santa Clara Depot have model trains?
Yes. The South Bay Historical Railroad Society runs two operating model railroad layouts inside the museum, which the city describes as museum-grade scale layouts. They are a highlight for kids and model railroaders, and volunteers operate them during open hours.
What is the Santa Clara interlocking tower?
It is a two-story control tower built in 1926 and put in service in fall 1927. Its General Railway Signal Company lever machine controlled switches and signals between the Santa Clara yard and the junctions for San Francisco and Oakland for 65 years, until July 17, 1993. It is one of two unmodified Harriman Standard No. 4 towers in California.
Can you tour the Santa Clara interlocking tower?
The society restored the tower with the City of Santa Clara after a 1996 grant, and it notes that open house events include extra tours. The society does not post regular tower tour times, so ask about upcoming open house dates by calling (408) 243-3969 or checking sbhrs.org.
Who restored the Santa Clara Depot?
The South Bay Historical Railroad Society leased the depot from Caltrans in 1985. Volunteers put in more than 25,000 hours, funded by donations, and finished the exterior renovation in 1990. The society received a Governor's Award for Historic Preservation for the work.
What was shipped from the Santa Clara Depot in 1869?
After the transcontinental railroad was completed in 1869, a carload of pears from the Santa Clara depot became the first shipment of fresh fruit sent from California to the eastern states, in October of that year. The large volume of farm freight later led to the freight house being enlarged to 160 feet.
Is the Santa Clara Depot museum good for kids?
Yes, especially for kids who love model trains. The operating layouts are the main attraction, and real Caltrain trains pass right outside the back deck. Admission is free, so a short visit costs nothing. Families can even ride Caltrain from the station next door for a bigger outing.
Can you catch Caltrain at the Santa Clara Depot?
Yes. The museum is in the historic depot along the Caltrain line, the route of the old San Francisco and San Jose Railroad. Visitors can combine a museum stop with a Caltrain trip up or down the Peninsula. Check Caltrain's current schedule before you go.
Can you watch trains at the Santa Clara Depot?
Yes. The society invites visitors to sit on its back deck and watch the trains go by on the active line. It is a relaxed spot for rail fans of all ages, especially after a look at the model railroads and artifacts inside.
What is the Santa Clara Depot built from?
The depot and freight house are one-story board and batten buildings made of clear heart redwood, milled from local coast range trees. The depot has a side gabled roof with wide, overhanging eaves supported by wooden brackets, with curved brackets at the corners.
Does the South Bay Historical Railroad Society have a library?
Yes. The society keeps an extensive library of railroad books and videotapes for its members. It is one benefit of joining, alongside supporting the museum, its model layouts and the historic buildings. Ask a volunteer during open hours how to become a member.
How long should I spend at the Santa Clara Depot museum?
Most visitors spend about one to two hours exploring the depot, the artifacts and the model railroads, plus time on the deck watching trains. Model railroaders who want to talk with the operators may stay longer. If you arrive on a Tuesday evening, note the shorter three-hour window.
How can I volunteer with the South Bay Historical Railroad Society?
The society is run by volunteers, who restored the depot and tower and still operate the museum and layouts. To get involved, visit during open hours and talk with members, call (408) 243-3969, or see sbhrs.org. Membership and donations are other ways to help.
Is there parking at the Santa Clara Depot museum?
The society does not post museum parking details. The depot shares its site with the Santa Clara Caltrain station on Railroad Avenue, so station parking may be an option, but check current rules. Arriving by Caltrain avoids the question altogether.
What train museums are near the Santa Clara Depot?
In San Jose, about 6 miles away, are the History San José Trolley Barn and the California Trolley and Railroad Corporation. The Niles Canyon Railway in Sunol is about 17 miles away, and Roaring Camp Railroads and the Felton Covered Bridge are about 22 miles away in Felton.
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