Whistle-stop town

Life in a train town is not for the weak. It takes a sound mind to survive such petty inconveniences as traffic stops, shrill warning whistles and the shaking of furniture when the trains roll through the streets. It’s a tough existence, but every once in awhile, something comes along that makes it all worthwhile—like Artrain USA! The country’s only “touring art museum in a train” pulls into Sacramento for four days, Thursday through Sunday. Artrain, first conceived as a way to bring art to the residents of rural Michigan who lacked access to metropolitan museums, has attracted more than 2.6 million visitors in 44 states since its debut trip in 1971. The current exhibit, Artistry of Space, features art from NASA and the Smithsonian that straddles the gap between art and science. As an extra added bonus for aerospace buffs, astronaut Steve Robinson will be at the Discovery Museum History Center on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. to sign autographs and visit with the public. The train is parked near the museum at the foot of I St. along the Old Sacramento waterfront. Train hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is free. Visit www.artrainusa.org for more information.