The SMRHS proudly participates in the Boy Scouts of America Railroad Merit Badge Program by offering a 3-session class that will introduce young scouts to the many exciting aspects of railroading.

Session One begins the Blue Card process and is held at the SMRHS Club House. Through the use of model trains the scouts are introduced to the various types of railroad equipment used. They also will have opportunities to interview actual railroad employees and get first-hand knowledge of day-to-day operations and safety issues. This session is held on a Saturday.  Class B uniform.

Session Two is comprised of a field trip to the California State Railroad Museum where the scouts will ride on the Sacramento Southern (the museum’s own operating railroad), taking a break for sack lunch (bring your own) followed by a guided tour of the museum. This session will focus on the history of railroading as well as give everyone a chance to "Ride the Rails". Train operations at the CSRM start in April and run through September. Class A (full dress) uniform please.

Session Three returns to the SMRHS Club House to finalize the scouts’ projects and complete the Blue Cards. Class B uniform.

In keeping with the spirit of the merit badge program we ask no more or no less from the scouts than what shows in the book: a write up by each scout or collaboration of scouts that demonstrates what knowledge they gained from this program.

This is an easy merit badge and the scouts along with the parents who help have a lot of fun. Quite honestly, so do we! Hidden under the fun is a taste of history and some important safety education as it relates to railroads.

For more information, or to schedule a session, please contact the SMRHS’s own Dave Megeath: a listed member on the BSA Golden Empire’s roster of Merit Badge Counselors.

We look forward to helping out your Scouts.  The Railroading merit badge book contains nearly all the answers to the requirements and costs less than $5.00 - be sure to get the current copy from your local Scout store.

Workbook - download and print this out ahead of time (we will have extra copies).  WORKBOOK (click on this link to open or download)

One-Page handout/promotional leaflet (click on this link to open or download)

SCHEDULE

• Session 1 - November 28, 2009 9 AM - noon  - Sign up - send an email to Dave Megeath at d.megeath@comcast.net and indicate troop number and how many boys. Three hours in duration.

(Session 1 classes suggested not to exceed 10 Scouts due to space limitations; we will expand the schedule based on demand)

Contact us to schedule a session for your Scout(s)!

• Session 2 - November 29, 2009 - will be held at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento . Bring sack lunch and money for museum and train ride.  State park fees: adults (age 18+) $17 ($8 train ride ticket + $9 museum), youths (age 6-17) $7 ($3 train ride + $4 museum). 
  • Please be prepared to pool the fees to simplify payment first for the train ride and second for the museum tour.
  • Full uniform - class A.
  • Old Sacramento railroad yard map - print this out and be sure to meet at the freight station (not the museum entrance)
  • • Meet at the CP Freight Station at 10 AM and attend the crew briefing meeting for the train ride; purchase tickets after the meeting for the 11 AM train ride.  Train returns approximately 11:45 AM.
    • Lunch on your own - picnic tables outside the CP Passenger Station, north end; 11:45 AM to 12:45 PM.
    • Assemble at the Museum entrance approximately 12:45 PM, pay Ranger for admission for the group, attend the 1 PM showing of the movie, "Evidence of a Dream", followed by a walk through the museum (tour guides normally available on advance request).

• Session 3 - December 12, 2009
  • Scouts should show up with their workbooks completed and blue card in hand (with Scoutmaster's signature) - we will then sign off the merit badge.  Class B uniform