The public can browse the collection of more than 250,000 items cataloged and 150,000 items digitized at the Western Railway Museum in Suisun City. Photo courtesy of Western Railway Museum

SUISUN CITY, CA (MPG) - The Bay Area Electric Railway Association dedicated the new $1-million Archives Building in a ceremony at the Western Railway Museum Visitor’s Center on Sept. 20.

The new 2,500 square-foot building is an extension of the current 3,300-square-foot Library and Archive Building established in 2002.

In 2022, the Bay Area Electric Railroad Association (BAERA) determined additional space was needed and a building capital campaign was initiated. 

Lead gifts were donated by museum member Ronald Hook and the Candelaria Fund of Little River.

Western Railway Museum’s unique historical collection, along with displays of rail cars and train rides, is meant to preserve the history of electric railroading. Photo courtesy of Western Railway Museum

Other gifts came from volunteers and friends of the Bay Area Electric Railroad Association Archives.

The new temperature and humidity-controlled facility was opened for archival storage and preservation this past March. The building has been named in honor of Hook’s mother, Emily A. Hook.

The public can browse the collection of more than 250,000 items cataloged and 150,000 items digitized at the Western Railway Museum off Highway 12 in Suisun City. These items comprise a collection of negatives, slides, movies and documents from the electric railroads of North America.

This unique historical collection, along with a bountiful display of rail cars and train rides, is meant to preserve the history of electric railroading and its impact on transportation, societal change, technological advancements and economic development.

Western Railroad Museum is open from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends and prices start at $16 for youth and $19 for adults. Prices, hours and more info can be found at WRM.org.