Sacramento Southern Railroad

The Sacramento Southern Railroad is incorporated in 1903 as a non‑operating subsidiary of the Southern Pacific Transportation Company. Construction of the line proceeds from 1906 through 1912, and the first train runs in 1909; the railroad merges into the Central Pacific Railroad upon completion of the Walnut Grove segment in 1912. Extensions reach Isleton by 1929 and add a three‑mile branch to the Mokelumne River in 1931, after which Southern Pacific ends passenger service in 1932. The Interstate Commerce Commission approves abandonment on October 10, 1978, and the California State Railroad Museum—described as North America’s railroad museum—acquires the right‑of‑way and begins heritage excursions in 1982. Freight traffic revives briefly until the last customer closes in the mid‑2010s, prompting future plans to extend operations into the Sacramento‑San Joaquin River Delta.