The San Diego Model Railway Museum comprises 27,000 square feet of scale-model trestles, tracks, and trains amongst indoor and outdoor displays. The mission of this unique nonprofit museum is to retain and preserve the rich heritage of American railway traditions, making it both an educational and a cultural attraction.
Visitors might spend anywhere from an hour to several hours browsing the model train displays, depending on their interest level. The exhibits are suitable for any age, from toddlers through adults, making it a great stop in Balboa Park for families with kids.
San Diego Model Railway Museum - one of the highlights of 10 Best Museums in San Diego (Read all about San Diego here)
Model Railway Museum highlights
A highlight for kids visiting the Model Railway Museum is the Toy Train Gallery, which features Lionel-type toy trains rolling along the tracks. One of the trains is outfitted with a “Choo-Choo cam,” so guests can get a first-person view of the track.
The Centennial Railway Garden, added in 2015 to honour Balboa Park's 100th anniversary, is a solar-powered scale model of the park's original layout. You'll also find a scale model of the Tehachapi Pass Layout, as well as the San Diego and Arizona Eastern HO Layout, which includes a superb recreation of a drive-in cinema.
Foto de Captmondo (CC BY-SA 3.0) modificada
Good to know when visiting Model Railway Museum
The San Diego Model Railway Museum is found in the Casa de Balboa Building in Balboa Park. Parking is available in the Fleet Science Centre lot. The facility is accessible for wheelchairs and other mobility aids, and trained service animals are permitted.
The museum does charge an admission fee for guests over the age of 3, but discounts are available for seniors, military, students aged 12-18, and children aged 4-11. Be sure to include a few other stops in Balboa Park while you're here, such as the Balboa Park Carousel and the San Diego Air & Space Museum.
Foto de Bill Morrow (CC BY 2.0) modificada
San Diego Model Railway Museum
Ubicación: 1649 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Horarios: Friday–Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm (closed Monday–Thursday)
Teléfono: +1 619-696-0199
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