They’ve been working on the railroad

During the early 1800s, John Stevens was granted the first railroad charter in North America—the train traveled at a leisurely pace of 12 mph. Nowadays, Amtrak passenger trains like the Acela Express, which operates in the Northeast, can travel at speeds up to 150 mph. Before you take a ride on the Acela, you may want to consider the railroaders working to make your trip a safe one. Still a World Apart: Visual Profiles of Contemporary Railroaders, a new photography exhibit at the California State Railroad Museum, showcases the stories, careers and families of those working in the railroad industry. Tickets to the museum are $6 for general admission, $2 for youths 6 to 16, and free for those 5 and younger. The museum, which is located at 111 I Street in Old Sacramento, is open daily from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. The exhibit will remain on display through January 8. Call (916) 445-6645 or visit www.californiastaterailroadmuseum.org for more information.