Join the City of Folsom and its partners for a special community celebration honoring the railroad that helped shape Folsom, the Sacramento region, and California’s future. This event commemorates the completion of the Sacramento Valley Railroad in 1856 and honors visionary engineer Theodore Judah on the 200th anniversary of his birth.
Discover how railroads transformed commerce, mobility, and daily life through engaging presentations, live demonstrations, and interactive exhibits.
📍 Event Details
Date: Wednesday, March 4
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Location: Historic Folsom Station Plaza – Railroad Turntable
Parking: Historic District Garage
Free admission to Folsom Railroad Museum and the Historical Outdoor Museum “The Square.”
🚆 Event Highlights
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Talks from local historians and special guests
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Railroad turntable demonstrations
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Educational exhibits and historic artifacts
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Hands-on activities for all ages
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Period costumes and themed photo opportunities
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Free museum access
🕒 Schedule
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10:15 a.m. – Turntable Demonstration
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11:00 a.m. – Sacramento Valley Railroad
Presented by Paul Helman -
12:00 p.m. – Theodore Judah
Presented by Chuck Spinks -
12:45 p.m. – Birthday Cake for Theodore Judah (near turntable)
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1:00 p.m. – Storytime with Folsom Public Library at The Square
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1:00 p.m. – Anna Judah
Presented by Christine Pifer-Foote
🎤 Featured Speakers
Paul Helman
Volunteer docent at the California State Railroad Museum since 2002, with over 17,500 hours of service bringing railroad history to life.
Chuck Spinks
Civil engineer with over 40 years of experience in infrastructure planning and longtime community volunteer and historian.
Christine Pifer-Foote
Retired educator and researcher specializing in Anna Judah’s life and artwork, and curator of a major museum exhibit.
📧 More Information
For a full schedule of events and additional details visit www.folsom.ca.us/railroad.
Come celebrate Folsom’s rich railroad heritage and experience the stories, people, and innovations that helped build our region.
