The collection consists of correspondence, photocopies, mimeographs, log books, computer printouts and printed material relating to employment practices, wages, operating procedures, equipment, train movements, etc. In addition the collection contains correspondence, reports, memoranda and notes concerning the abandonment of service, including ferry service across the Carquinez Strait, between West Pittsburg and Montezuma, trackage abandonments elsewhere in Northern California during the 1940s and 1950s, and electric interurban passenger equipment and streetcars.

The Sacramento Northern Railway Company was incorporated in California on August 29, 1921. Its purpose was to acquire and operate the property of the Sacramento Northern Railroad. It absorbed the Sacramento Northern on November 4, 1925. Western Pacific Railroad owned the new railroad. Sacramento Northern's trackage consisted of a main line extending from Chico to Sacramento, with various branches, operating approximately 157 miles of track. On December 31, 1928, the San Francisco- Sacramento Railroad was acquired. This line stretched from Chico to Oakland. On January 15, 1939, through service to Chico was instituted. Passenger service was discontinued in October of 1940 but freight service was continued.

Copyright has not been assigned to the California State Railroad Museum. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Senior Curator. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the CSRM as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.