O Gauge Train Clubs in North Los Angeles

TTOS Southern Pacific Division meets in Anaheim usually the 4th Sunday of the month. Good active group.

TCA Western Division meets in Arcadia usually the 4th Saturday of the month.

 

Steve

Thanks Steve. I am interested in a local club with a club layout like the NJHR's have.

Although I'm not 100% sure but I think a club in SoCal that is close to what NJHR is would be the Angels Gate Highrailers in San Pedro.

 

 

We moved to Santa Clarita three years ago to retire. We love it! 40 miles north of downtown L.A. but still in L.A. County.

 

About 30 minutes from Hollywood, 50 min. from LAX, about 30 min. from Pasadena and 15 min. from Northridge.

 

We are one valley North of the S.F. Valley with access from I-5 and SR 14.

 

Santa Clarita is a very fine community of about 250,000 total, plenty of amenities, yet it has a somewhat different feel than L.A. itself,etc. We are surrounded by national forests and other parks, so plenty of recreational opportunities, and we have Castaic Lake which is the largest water impoundment  in L.A. County with swimming, boating, jet skiing and great fishing too.

 

Property prices as a bit lower out here than some other areas and there is plenty to choose from right now. Very suburban plus rural areas very close by, too.

 

I would never have thought about Santa Clarita if someone hadn't suggested it to me, and I am passing along the same advice to you: check it out.

Hi Dave. Thanks much for the great info on Santa Clarita. I didn't realize Lake Castaic was so close. I own a bassboat and have been thinking about what to do with it. Now I know! I would like to talk to you personally about areas to live, costs, etc. We are still in the decidion phase so any and all info will greatly appreciated. If you are o.k. with doing this e-mail your phone number to wow4bass@gmail.com and I will call you. Thanks again.

Andy

Thanks for the endorsement, Roman. Let us know next time you're going to be in town.

 

Yes, Andy, AGHR is in San Pedro, the Southernmost part of the City of Los Angeles in Angels Gate Park. To the best of my knowledge, NJHR (New Jersey Hi-Railers) is the biggest O gauge layout in the country. Ours is only 2100 square feet. The next really close large O gauge layout is SD3R (San Diego 3-railers) in Balboa Park in San Diego. Both clubs are using DCS and TMCC

 

I go out to the club just about every weekend (80 miles each way) and every Wednesday after work (I live in San Bernardino and work in Los Angeles.) We welcome visitors any time the doors are open. Some parts of the layout are unfinished, but we're making progress. We run DCS and TMCC as well.

 

BTW, Santa Clarita is a very nice area of Los Angeles County.

 

Matt Jackson

Angels Gate Hi-Railers

San Pedro, California

http://www.angelsgatehirailers.org

Thanks for the info on your club Matt! If we do make the jump across the country I will definetly plan on visiting the club. We are getting closer to a decision and we're seeing Cali in our future. It hasn't been an easy one as we already live in a great area in South Florida. It just really depends on the money now. We should know by the end of next week. Then we will make our final decision after a visit out there which should be soon. Thanks again.

Andy J.

Andy,

 

I sell Real Estate in the West San Fernando Valley (northridge), Santa Clarita, East Ventura County.  I know an excellent Agent that works the Pasadena area.  I am 3rd generation native of Los Angeles.  If you have any questions feel free to contact me, my email is in my profile.  A good friend of mine with an extensive American Flyer collection moved this way from IL 4 years ago we met through the job relocation so I have references if you need them and I keep a resume on my blog.  

 

The only clubs are in the Pasadena area, San Pedro and San Diego.  We have a HO group in my city with a permanent display in our restored Station,  I met an O Gauger in Panera a couple weeks ago.  With so much good weather here year round, indoor hobbies are not as prevalent.

 

-Ted

Andy

 

If it's Northridge or Pasadena areas you are looking at, go Pasadena.  Northridge is deteriorating suburbia (no offense West Valley folk, but you know it is true.  I moved away from there after the earthquake).  The Pasadena burgs still have lots of charm and great eateries.  Pasadena is also much closer to downtown LA.  And has a great train store, to boot.

 

Personally, like you, I am also a boat guy.  I live and fish on a bass filled lake AND run trains in the basement.  I am a bit further out, though, in Agoura Hills.  Great area if you don't mind the ridiculous commute.  (Gotta fish!)

 

Good luck!

 

Tim

Thanks for the timely information Tim. I actually have owned a freshwater fishing guide service down here in South Florida. I Fish Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades for largemouth Bass, and canal systems and lakes in Miami for peacock bass. I also like to fish in the occasional bass tournament. I'm aware of the reputation of Lake Castaic for producing huge largemouth bass. If we move, I will look forward to fishing trophy bass! I'm going to have to get myself some monster swim baits and work on my drop shotting technique . I would like to talk to you some more in person about fishing spots in the nearby area as well as local train activity. If you're up for this, email me your phone number at WOW4Bass@gmail.com. Thanks again! Andy J. Member TCA, TTOS, & BASS

I belong to the San Diego 3 railers.  The layout is amazing.   You can sign up for any day of the week and run your trains.  you can even go there at any time and run your trains.   

 

if you just want to run trains then good.

 

We currently have many members from the north Los Angeles area and from other states.

 

http://www.sd3r.org/

 

 

also found this.

 

http://www.mcor-nmra.org/clubs...cfm?state=california

Thanks for the info on the club in San Diego Big Dodge. I will check them out if we move. Speaking of which, we are tentatively scheduled to go to LA in late April or early May on an exploratory trip before we make a decision. If I have time, I plan on trying to visit a train store or two. Andy J. Member TCA & TTOS