The California State Railroad Museum is proud to debut a new exhibit titled “Ticket to Ride: 150 Years of Passenger Comfort & Style” on Thursday, May 31, 2012.  Located in the Mezzanine Gallery near the entrance to the Theater, the exciting and highly visual exhibit showcases American railroad-related artifacts that chronicle how the on-board experience has been enhanced over time through innovations in comfort, design, service and technology that have helped to meet ever-changing consumer expectations.

For example, Museum visitors will have the opportunity to view different types of passenger seating from the 1870s to present and to experience sitting in a restored 1930s vintage upholstered passenger car seat and, for comparison, a current model Amtrak double coach seat.  Guests will see a variety of vintage train tickets, sleeping accommodations and amenities from different eras and traveling classes.  They will also have the opportunity to touch manufacturing materials used to produce passenger seats, read conversations between passengers from different eras and see printed advertisements appealing to different audiences.  In addition, Museum visitors will view early traveling comforts such as an original barber chair used in the early 20th century, a bar from a 1930s streamlined lounge car, a coal stove, light fixtures, dining utensils, china and decorated leaded glass.

The new “Ticket to Ride” exhibit will remain on display through March 2013. For more information about this exhibit or other events, activities and exhibits at the California State Railroad Museum, please visit www.californiastaterailroadmuseum.org or call (916) 445-6645.