New interactive exhibit invites visitors to explore BART history at the Western Railway Museum

A new interactive exhibit at the Western Railway Museum lets visitors step aboard three legacy BART cars and explore and explore the technology, design, and history of the system. The opening of the museum's Rapid Transit History Center arrives during Transit Month and the week of BART's 54th anniversary.

The exhibit is open to the public September 12 and 13, 9:30am to 5pm, at the Western Railway Museum in Suisun City. BART's merch store Railgoods will have a pop-up at the museum on September 12, from 11am to 3pm.

Purchase tickets here.

The Western Railway Museum is one of only a handful of places selected to receive legacy BART train cars following the decommissioning of the original fleet. It is the only organization to be awarded three retired cars: A Car 1164, B Car 1834, and C Car 329. Visitors can enter all three cars and explore displays, videos, and memorabilia. Included in admission is access to Western Railway Museum's exhibits and historic rail car collection, train rides aboard Key System Bridge Unit 187, and the opportunity to take a commemorative photo in the nose of a legacy BART train.

"This exhibit is a picture of the resurgence of rail transit and commuter rail in the 1970," said Bob Simon, Western Railway Museum board member and retired BART employee. "BART was the start of that revolution."

The Rapid Transit History Center was created in partnership with the Bay Area Electric Railroad Association, which operates the Western Railway Museum and preserves the history of electric rail transportation in the Bay Area.

Western Railway Museum preserves more than 50 historic rail cars and offers scenic train rides across its 22-acre site. Visitors can also enjoy exhibits, historic train rides, picnic grounds, a museum store, library archives, and the Depot Café.

Celebrate Transit Month

The exhibit opens during Transit Month, when communities across the Bay Area celebrate public transportation with events and activities throughout the region. Learn more about Transit Month at ca.transitmonth.org/bay-area.