While in the museum zone of Balboa Park, visit San Diego Model Railroad Museum, an enjoyable attraction for all ages. Spend time watching working model railways that mimic actual train lines in the natural and humanmade landscapes of California. Bring your own collection of models to exchange with other train enthusiasts and sign the kids up for hands-on model-making workshops.
There are five permanent railway exhibits to discover at the San Diego Model Railroad Museum. Each shows the long railroading history of California by using exact replicas of trains, line layouts, the state’s countryside and major landmarks. Watch locomotives trundle past the Sierra Nevada Mountains on The Tehachapi Pass and see Balboa Park as it looked in 1915 on The Centennial Railway Garden. Trains run alongside the Carlsbad Flower Fields, Carrizo Canyon and other San Diego landmarks on the Pacific Desert Lines.
School age children can join educational workshops that combine railroad and science themes. This gives them the chance to conduct experiments that teach about the strength of arch bridges and triangles and learn the basic concepts of scale and proportions. Summer camps present the opportunity to construct a fully operational model railroad. Download resources from the museum’s official website for additional learning at home.
Collectors looking to enlarge and improve their personal train hoard can attend regular Swap Meet events. Chat with fellow model enthusiasts while looking for antique, hard-to-find and nostalgic items.
You’ll find the museum in the heart of Balboa Park. It shares the Casa de Balboa Building with the Museum of Photographic Arts and the San Diego Historic Center. Drivers can park for free at the rear of the building and at the nearby Fleet Science Center. A public service bus operates between the park and Downtown San Diego.
San Diego Railroad Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday and there’s an admission fee. Discounts are available for children, students and seniors. Contact the museum for information about group visits and guided tours.
