San Diego Model Railroad Museum

San Diego Model Railroad Museum
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Established	1980
Location	Balboa Park, San Diego, California
Type	model railroad
Director	John Rotsart
Website	http://www.sdmrm.org/

History

The San Diego Model Railroad Museum is one of the world's largest indoor model railroad exhibits and is located in San Diego, California. At 27,000 sq. ft., the museum is one the largest indoor model railroad displays in the world and the only accredited railroad themed museum in USA. The individual HO and N scale layouts are among largest of their type. Construction of the model railroads is accomplished by volunteer club members (approximately. 320). Each club is responsible for the design, construction, funding, and operation of its exhibit. Criteria for membership in the individual clubs is determined by each club. Check Model Railroad Clubs for additional information.

Since its opening to the public in March 1982, the museum is now approaching 3 million visitors. The museum has played host to numerous conventions, organizations, school groups, and community functions. If your organization would like to inquire about museum availability for social functions, the Pacific Beach Model Railroad Club Room is available for receptions, birthday parties and other gatherings. Proceed to the How To Contact Us. If you're planning to visit from out of town, be sure to check out The City Of San Diego's Web page. It provides information to help make your stay in America's Finest City more enjoyable.

Model Railroading in Balboa Park traces its roots back to the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition. Pioneer Model railroader, Minton Cronkhite designed and directed construction of a number of scale model railroads in the 1930s including a large exposition O scale model railroad in Balboa Park. The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company as well as the Pennsylvania Railroad hired him to create giant model railroads for world fairs to stimulate interest in train travel and help revive the national economy during the years of the Great Depression. For the California Pacific International Exposition in Balboa Park in 1935, his exhibit was the “chief transportation feature” of the fair that year consisting of a 40’X70’ model railroad exhibit.

Location

The museum is located on the lower level of the Casa De Balboa on the Prado in Balboa Park

Mission statement

The mission of the San Diego Model Railroad Museum is to preserve the heritage of railroading through a series of miniature representations of California railroads; research and preserve the history of model railroading; and educate the public in the many different aspects of railroading.

Exhibits

With 27,000 square feet (2508 m²) of exhibit space the museum is home of some of the largest HO and N scale layouts of their types. There are two massive HO scale layouts, a 1,200 sq ft (110 m²). N scale layout, a 2,700 sq ft (250 m²). O scale layout, and a Lionel type 3-Rail O gauge Toy Train gallery.

• Cabrillo & Southwestern — O scale layout
  • This 2,700 sq ft (250 m²). layout is a free-lance representation of a route from San Diego to Sacramento.

• Pacific Desert Lines — N scale layout
  • Based on a rail line that was surveyed but never built, this 1,200 sq ft (110 m²). layout features hand laid Code 40 track (0.040 inches - 1 mm high) and 33 scale miles (1,089 actual feet - 331 m) of mainline track.

• San Diego & Arizona Eastern RR — HO scale layout
  • This 4,500 sq ft (420 m²). layout is based on the prototype San Diego and Arizona Eastern Railway line from San Diego Union Station eastward through spectacular Carriso Gorge to the desert floor at El Centro.

• Tehachapi Pass — HO scale layout
  • This 2-level layout represents the joint Southern Pacific / Santa Fe railroad from Bakersfield to Mojave, California of the 1950s. The model is unique not only for its size but for its geographic fidelity. Literally thousands of photographs of the prototype have been used to ensure that each detail closely models the features of the actual area. It has been constructed with nearly curve-for-curve and switch-for-switch accuracy. It includes a scale model of the world famous Tehachapi Loop.

• Toy Train Gallery — 3-Rail O gauge layout
  • This gallery features operating toy trains of "Lionel type" 3-Rail O gauge. It also features a collection of rare Lionel and American Flyer cars from the 1920s though the 1950s as well as modern toy trains from Lionel, MTH, K-Line, and Atlas-O.

External links

• San Diego Model Railroad Museum website
• San Diego Society of N Scale
• San Diego Model Railroad Club
• La Mesa Model Railroad Club
• San Diego 3-Railers Club