We are thrilled to welcome California classrooms through free admission and school programs.
However, many schools cannot afford school bus transportation costs to and from the Museum. To ensure the Museum remains accessible to California classrooms, the CSRM Foundation provides transportation subsidies made possible by the generous support of our donors.
For schools and teachers interested in our subsidy program, please review the complete list below of eligibility parameters and requirements prior to submitting an application.
It is required that your visit is reserved with the California State Railroad Museum before you submit an application. CSRM school field trips are free and can be canceled if needed. Please visit our Field Trip webpage to reserve a field trip. Contact the Group Desk at [email protected] or (916) 323-9274 for reservation support.
If you are selected to receive a subsidy, an invoice from the transportation company will be required, as well as completion of a post-field trip evaluation. Checks will be sent to the school site after your visit.
- For Fall 2025 field trips, schools will be notified within 30 days of application.
- For Spring 2026 field trips, schools must apply by December 1 and will be notified by January 15.
For questions or support with the subsidy, please email [email protected].
Click Here for the Application
Eligibility and Requirements
Fall field trips (October - December):
- Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and awarded on a case-by-case basis.
- Applications must be submitted at least 1 month prior to their field trip date.
- Schools will be notified within 30 days of their application.
Spring field trips (January - May):
- Applications are reviewed after the submission deadline and awarded on a case-by-case basis.
- Applications must be submitted by December 1.
- Schools will be notified by January 15.
Public schools from across California are encouraged to apply.
- To be eligible, schools must have a socioeconomically disadvantaged percentage of 40% or higher from the most recent school year’s data. Socioeconomically disadvantaged percentage can be found at: https://www.caschooldashboard.org/search or https://sarconline.org/public/findASarc
- Private schools are not eligible. Schools using a third-party agent or commercial tour company are not eligible.
- Eligible forms of transportation include school bus, charter bus, and public transit (such as Amtrak, SacRT bus or light rail, etc) paid for by the school.
- A field trip to CSRM must be reserved prior to applying for the subsidy. Booking a program does not guarantee a subsidy will be awarded.
Funds are limited and schools may not receive the full amount they are requesting.
- We do not currently fund field trips for summer school programs.
- Multiple classes and grades from the same school are encouraged to apply together. Only one subsidy per school will be granted each school year.
Reimbursement checks will be made out and sent to the school and not individuals.
- Please be as accurate as possible when estimating how many students and adults will participate in the field trip. Significant changes to number of students or changes to your field trip date must be communicated to us prior to your field trip. Some changes may impact the amount awarded.
- Schools are responsible for arranging all transportation.
- Teachers must complete their post-field trip evaluation within 15 days. Failure to complete the evaluation could affect subsidy eligibility.
- A final invoice of expenses from the transportation provider must be submitted within 45 days after attending the field trip.
- Reimbursement checks will be mailed within 60 days of receipt of the invoice.