Rail Stations. Selected Highlights of Rails in the West. Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum Selected Highlights of Rails in the West August, 1852: The Sacramento Valley Rail Road incorporated.
First Transcontinental Railroad - Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum. Railroad Beginnings in California. Railroad Beginnings in California Having proven successful in the East, the first railroads built in California also provided transportation from inland communities to the rivers and ocean harbors to meet the needs of the growing population of California.
The discovery of gold in California near Sutter's mill, near Sacramento in 1848 brought a huge number of people lured by the promise of "gold laying in the streams" into California during 1849. An estimated 55,000 arrived by overland routes and another 25,000 by sea. Transportation from the mines to the Sacramento River became increasingly important. The Museum of Railway Timetables (timetables.org)