Recently, the California State Railroad Museum Foundation announced that it would donate its model train, the American Eagle Express, to the Sino-American Railroad Cultural Friendship Association, which then transferred it to the Asian American Cultural Center located at the Yin Ranch. This gesture not only brings a precious symbol of the intersection between the railroad industry and Chinese American history to the local cultural landscape but also strengthens the mission of preserving the Chinese American community’s historical contributions to U.S. railroad construction.

On the day of the donation, California State Railroad Museum President and CEO Tim Schroepfer and Vice Chairman Jeffery C. Gibeling, along with the Asian Pacific American Public Affairs (APAPA) founder CC. Yin, Sino-American Railroad Cultural Friendship Association President Wei Zhang and Vice President Stephen Zhou, and local community leader Vicki Beaton, toured the museum’s locomotive depot and viewed the American Eagle Express model.

The American Eagle Express model, valued at approximately $800,000, was generously donated to the museum by private supporters and had previously been featured in public exhibitions. Tim Schroepfer explained that the model is battery-powered; although it has been retired, its power systems still require maintenance and updates. CC. Yin stated that the Asian American Cultural Center would take responsibility for its maintenance and display, ensuring that the model continues to shine. This represents not only the museum’s commitment to preserving railroad history but also symbolizes the strong bond between railroad development and community stewardship.

Vicki Beaton noted that the California State Railroad Museum has long been dedicated to exhibitions such as The Chinese Workers’ Experience, showcasing historical documents, photographs, and artifacts that reveal the hardships and sacrifices of tens of thousands of Chinese immigrants in building the transcontinental railroad in the 19th century.

Such exhibitions are seen as filling the “absent Chinese voice” in the historical narrative of U.S. railroads. By placing the American Eagle Express in the Cultural Center, the public can gain a deeper understanding of the historical connection between railroad construction and the Chinese American community—an endeavor of significant cultural importance.

The Asian Pacific American Public Affairs (APAPA) founder CC. Yin has long been committed to enhancing Asian American representation in public affairs and promoting cultural identity. The Yin family built the Asian American Cultural Center at Yin Ranch and donated multiple facilities, making the venue a key space focused on Asian American history and influence.

In the future, the Cultural Center will establish a dedicated exhibition area to display railroad artifacts, including the American Eagle Express, allowing every visitor to appreciate the contributions of Chinese laborers to America’s development.

Jeffery C. Gibeling stated, “The retirement of the American Eagle Express is not an end, but the beginning of a new journey.” He emphasized that transferring the model to the Asian American Cultural Center for preservation and display is a tribute to the legacy of Chinese railroad workers.

CC. Yin added, “Railroads are not just transportation tools; they carry the hardships of immigrants and the American dream. Having the American Eagle Express at the Asian American Cultural Center will help more people understand the resilience and sacrifices behind it.”

Wei Zhang, Stephen Zhou, and other members of the Sino-American Railroad Cultural Friendship Association also noted that transferring the model train has educational significance for younger generations, inspiring them to understand diverse histories and fostering a more inclusive collective memory.

Going forward, the Asian American Cultural Center will conduct restoration and maintenance, railroad exhibitions, guided tours, and youth education programs centered around the American Eagle Express, combining interactive teaching with historical interpretation to enhance public recognition of Chinese railroad heritage. The model will become one of the center’s core exhibits, attracting visitors to engage, learn, and connect. The museum has also pledged technical and educational support to assist with model maintenance and exhibition design, promoting ongoing collaboration between both parties.